Institute HOME Study

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The exam currently in use for licensure by the State of New Mexico is the National Certified Addiction Counselor (Level I).  This exam is created by NAADAC (National Association for Addiction Professionals).  Details about this exam, and a free outline of the contents of the test can be downloaded from the Professional Testing Corporation Website.

The National Examination for Addiction Counselors - Download free handbook (.pdf format)

This workshop follows the outline from the NCAC I exam handbook.
There are 250 questions on the exam.

                                                                            LEVEL I

I.    Pharmacology of Psychoactive Substances….30%  (about 75 questions)

II.   Counseling Practice……..……………….......    40%  (about 100 questions)

III.  Theoretical Base of Counseling..……………..  15%  (about 37 questions)

IV. Professional Issues……..……………………    15%  (about 38 questions)

CONTENT OUTLINE

I. PHARMACOLOGY OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES

A. Definitions of Pharmacology

1. Relationship to Addiction Counseling

2. Content Areas of Pharmacology

a. Terminology

b. Physiological Effects

c. Psychological Effects

d. Withdrawal Syndrome

e. Drug Interactions

f. Treatment Applications

1) Antabuse

2) Use of Pharmaceuticals

B. Drug Classification (Commonly Abused Drug Chart)

Psychoactive Substances Chart

If you study the material in these two charts, you will have an excellent foundation for the Pharmacology material on the Level I exam.

1. Alcohol

a. Terminology

b. Physiological Effects

c. Psychological Effects

d. Withdrawal Syndrome

e. Drug Interactions

f. Treatment Applications

2. Depressants

a. Terminology

1) Anti-Anxiety (Minor Tranquilizers)

2) Barbiturates

3) Sedative-Hypnotics

4) Psychotropics (Major Tranquilizers)

b. Physiological Effects

c. Psychological Effects

d. Withdrawal Syndrome

e. Drug Interactions

f. Treatment Applications

3. Cocaine

a. Terminology

b. Physiological Effects

c. Psychological Effects

d. Withdrawal Syndrome

e. Drug Interactions

f. Treatment Applications

4. Other Stimulants

a. Terminology

1) Amphetamines

2) Nicotine

3) Caffeine

b. Physiological Effects

c. Psychological Effects

d. Withdrawal Syndrome

e. Drug Interactions

f. Treatment Applications

5. Opiates

a. Terminology

1) Natural Derivatives

2) Synthetics

3) Antagonists

b. Physiological Effects

c. Psychological Effects

d. Withdrawal Syndrome

e. Drug Interactions

f. Treatment Applications

6. Hallucinogens

a. Terminology

1) Natural Derivatives

2) Synthetics

3) Antagonists

b. Physiological Effects

c. Psychological Effects

d. Withdrawal Syndrome

e. Drug Interactions

f. Treatment Applications

7. Cannabinoids

a. Terminology

b. Physiological Effects

c. Psychological Effects

d. Withdrawal Syndrome

e. Drug Interactions

f. Treatment Applications

8. Other

Psychotherapeutic Medications:  You need to know the "treatment applications" for the various substances.  This is asking "how was/is this substance used medicinally/therapeutically?  Use the two drug charts mentioned above, as well as this booklet to prepare in this area.

a. Inhalants

b. Designer Drugs

c. Steroids

d. OTC Drugs

C. The Addiction Process

1. The Disease Model:  Jellinek Curve; Cocaine Addiction Curve

2. Tolerance Mechanisms

3. Detoxification

4. Stages of Addiction

D. The Recovery Process

1. Medical Stabilization

2. Non-Pharmaceutical Treatment Applications

3. Unsafe Medication in Recovery

4. Safe Medication in Recovery:  You will need to know some of the medications that are currently being prescribed for individuals in withdrawal, and early treatment, as well as the psychotherapeutic medications mentioned above.

5. Dual Disorders

II. COUNSELING PRACTICE:  Download a free book that explains all the needed competencies.

A. Client Evaluations

1. Screening

2. Intake

3. Assessment

4. Diagnostic Criteria

B. Treatment Planning

1. Problems, Identification, and Ranking

2. Goals and Objectives

3. Treatment Process and Resources Defined

4. Levels of Care

C. Counseling

1. Problems and Ramifications

2. Examination of Attitudes/Feelings

3. Consideration of Alternative Solutions

4. Skills

a. Individual

b. Group

c. Family/Significant Others

d. Intervention

D. Patient Care/Management

1. Case Management

2. Crisis Intervention

a. Identification

b. Resolution

3. Referral

4. Reports and Recordkeeping

5. Consultation

E. Education

1. Orientation

2. Alcohol and Drug Information

3. Non-Drug Issues

a. Mental

b. Emotional

c. Psychological

d. Nutritional

e. Disease

4. Self-Help Programs

5. Research

F. Continuing Care

G. Special Issues/Populations

1. Adolescence

2. Geriatrics

3. Gender

4. Sexual

5. Cultural

6. Relapse

7. Suicide

8. Dual/Multiple Diagnosis

9. Survivors of Abuse

10. Chronic Illness and Communicable Diseases

11. Disabilities

12. Criminal Justice

III. THEORETICAL BASE OF COUNSELING

A. Addiction Counseling

1. Core Skill Groups

a. Treatment Admission

b. Clinical Assessment

c. Ongoing Treatment Planning

d. Counseling Services

e. Documentation

f. Case Management

g. Discharge/Continuing Care

h. Legal, Ethical, and Professional Growth

2. Disease Model and Stages

3. 12 Step Philosophy

4. Relapse Prevention

5. Family

a. System Theory

b. Children of Alcoholics/Addicts

c. Co-dependency

d. Abuse Issues

1) Sexual

2) Physical

3) Psychological

B. Human Growth and Development

1. Life Stages

a. Childhood

b. Adolescence

c. Adulthood

d. Geriatrics

2. Cultural Differences

3. Gender Issues

C. Behavioral/Cognitive/Analytical Theories

1. Cognitive Approaches

a. Rational Emotive Psychotherapy

b. Cognitive Theory

2. Learning Theory Approaches

a. Reinforcement Theory and Psychoanalytic Therapy

b. Behavior Therapy

c. Social Learning Approach

d. Cognitive - Behavior Modification

3. Psychoanalytic Approaches

a. Psychoanalysis

b. Psychoanalytic Therapy

4. Perceptual - Phenomenological Approaches

a. Transactional Analysis

b. Gestalt Therapy

c. Client Centered Therapy

IV. PROFESSIONAL ISSUES

A. Law and Regulation

1. Patient Rights

a. Confidentiality

b. Informed Consent

This one-page document provides an opportunity for the counselor to voice concerns and/or ask questions of the client's physician. The form may be downloaded and customized to meet agency/program requirements.
 

c. Reporting

1) Child/Spousal Abuse

2) Duty to Warn

2. Discrimination

3. Drug Testing

4. Methadone Regulations

5. Recordkeeping and Documents

6. Infectious Diseases

a. HIV

b. Hepatitis

c. TB

d. STDs

7. Continuous Quality Improvement

8. Federal Controlled Substances

9. Department of Transportation Regulations

10. Managed Care

a. Utilization Review

b. Outcome Studies

B. Ethics

1. Non-Discrimination

2. Counselor Responsibility

3. Competence

4. Legal and Moral Standards

5. Public Statements

6. Publication Credit

7. Client Welfare

8. Confidentiality

9. Client Responsibility

10. Interprofessional Relationships

11. Remuneration

12. Societal Obligations

C. Supervision

1. Administrative

2. Clinical

D. Research and Outcome Studies

Sample Questions
Recommended Reading

 

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