Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) Practice Exam

Which type of treatment is focused on directly addressing an addiction first before any co-occurring disorders?

1. Concurrent treatment

2. Sequential treatment

3. Integrated treatment

4. Stand-alone treatment

The correct answer is: Sequential treatment

The treatment focused on directly addressing an addiction before considering any co-occurring disorders is referred to as sequential treatment. In this approach, the primary goal is to stabilize the individual regarding their substance use issues first. Once the addiction is being managed or treated effectively, attention can be shifted to any co-occurring mental health disorders. Sequential treatment can be particularly beneficial in situations where the severity of the addiction is such that it requires immediate intervention and dedicated resources before additional complexities of mental health problems can be effectively addressed. This method acknowledges that addressing addiction first may lead to better outcomes when later managing other disorders, as substance use itself may significantly impair function or exacerbate symptoms of other conditions. The distinctions among treatment types become clear when considering concurrent treatment, which approaches addiction and co-occurring disorders simultaneously; integrated treatment, where both aspects are treated as interconnected; and stand-alone treatment, which focuses solely on the addiction without regard for any other disorders.