Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) Practice Exam

What do the majority of day treatment programs agree upon before therapy begins?

1. Group therapy is the sole effective treatment

2. Alcoholism can be cured, not treated as a disease

3. Detoxification is necessary for several days

4. Aversive conditioning is effective in substance abuse

The correct answer is: Detoxification is necessary for several days

The majority of day treatment programs agree that detoxification is often a necessary first step before therapy can begin. This consensus is based on the understanding that individuals struggling with substance use may have physical dependence on alcohol or drugs. Detoxification, or detox, serves to manage withdrawal symptoms safely and stabilize the individual, paving the way for more effective participation in subsequent therapeutic interventions. In the context of addiction treatment, detoxification provides a crucial foundation. It helps ensure that participants are in a suitable state to engage with the therapeutic process. By addressing any acute physiological needs, treatment programs can focus on the psychological and behavioral aspects of addiction in a more meaningful and productive way. Other options do not reflect the general agreement in day treatment programs. While group therapy can be a significant component, it is not viewed as the sole effective treatment; effective treatment often includes a combination of therapies. The belief that alcoholism can be cured contradicts the widely accepted view of addiction as a chronic disease that can be managed rather than completely eradicated. Lastly, although aversive conditioning has a place in some therapeutic settings, it is not a predominant approach recognized by the majority of day treatment programs.