51. What is the factor that contributes MOST meaningfully to client treatment
retention?
a. Program location and transportation support
b. The therapeutic alliance
c. Family insistence on treatment
d. Court orders for treatment Answer - 51. B: Research consistently reveals
that the therapeutic alliance is of primary importance in clients achieving
positive outcome. Among the many positive effects of the therapeutic alliance,
treatment retention is one of the most significant. Consequently, achieving and
maintaining a therapeutic alliance is crucial. The four key components of an
effective therapeutic alliance are: (1) the client's capacity to purposefully work
on the problem (providing a shared goal and common ground); (2) the affective
(emotional) bond between the client and the therapist; (3) the therapist's
possession of an empathic understanding of the client; and (4) agreement on
the primary goals and between client and therapist. Counselors can enhance
the therapeutic alliance by being empathic, nonjudgmental, and active listeners
and by actively presenting the treatment process as a collaborative venture,
rather than as one consisting of unilateral directives.
52. Which of the following treatment episodes is associated with better
outcomes?
a. Longer episodes are superior to shorter episodes.
b. Shorter episodes are superior to longer episodes.
c. The length of the treatment episode is not relevant.
,d. Completion of any length episode is most important. Answer - 52. D:
Researchers reveal that completion of any prescribed episode of treatment is a
key to improved outcomes. The length of the episode is not the critical feature.
Success produces meaningful momentum. In recognition of this, it is
particularly important to retain clients in treatment programs, avoiding the
high drop-out rates so common in the first few weeks of treatment. Steps to
reduce drop-out include: preadmission interviews to ensure client readiness for
treatment, the use of telephone and mail reminders of ongoing appointments
and program activities, offering telephone orientations for timely program
accommodation, and decreasing any delays in call-to-appointment scheduling.
Finally, helping clients understand the underlying rationale behind lifestyle
changes improves behavioral adherence and program retention.
53. What should the position of treatment programs toward twelve-step
programs be?
a. Clients should not be discouraged from twelve-step programs.
b. Clients should be encouraged to participate in twelve-step programs.
c. Twelve-step programs are a helpful social tool but have no other impact.
d. Twelve-step programs are an integral part of overall client success. Answer -
53. D: Participation in twelve-step and other mutual-help programs is
associated with better outcomes than participation in treatment programs
alone. Indeed, clients who join a twelve-step program after treatment tend to
do significantly better than those not so involved, researchers have found.
Consequently, treatment providers should actually facilitate client integration
into appropriate community-based mutual-help groups, including assisting
clients to locate a group and a sponsor. This should involve more than referral.
Counselors should help clients find the right group meeting milieu as well as
helping them determine the optimal frequency of attendance. Clients who
begin attending twelve-step groups frequently experience some minor negative
side effects. These can be minimized by ensuring selection of an optimal group,
along with adequate orientation and support.
54. Which statement BEST reflects the nature of mutual-help groups such as
twelve-step programs?
, a. These programs vary greatly and should be carefully chosen.
b. These programs are generally very much the same.
c. These programs are only for substance abusers.
d. These programs are primarily religious in nature and orientation. Answer -
54. A: The original twelve-step program, Alcoholics Anonymous had a
significant religious orientation. Since that time, however, references to deity
and religion in general have been moderated to better allow for individual
values and beliefs. A group similar to AA but oriented toward those using
narcotics is known as Narcotics Anonymous. Some clients may also benefit
from twelve-step support group alternatives such as Rational Recovery, Smart
Recovery, or Women for Sobriety. Offering clients a variety of choices
empowers them to make informed decisions. There are also twelve-step
meetings designed to support the family members of loved ones suffering from
substance abuse. These include: Al-Anon/Alateen and Nar-Anon. Other twelve-
step groups exist for individuals coping with compulsive behaviors such as sex,
gambling, spending, and eating. Helping clients and their family members to
find and join appropriate mutual-help organizations can be an important part
of treatment planning and continuing care.
55. How is the proper role for mental health medications in individuals with co-
occurring disorders BEST described?
a. There is no place for mental health medications in the treatment of clients
with a substance abuse problem.
b. Clients with a substance abuse disorder and a co-occurring mental health
disorder can benefit from medications.
c. Clients with a substance abuse disorder and a co-occurring mental health
disorder can take mental health medications without any concern.
d. Clients with a substance abuse disorder and a co-occurring mental health
disorder will always benefit from long-term pharmacotherapy. Answer - 55. B:
Not all mental health conditions require long-term pharmacotherapy. In some
cases, traditional pharmacotherapy may involve the use of dependency-
producing medications that may not be appropriate for certain individuals.
However, most individuals with co-occurring substance abuse and mental
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