CATC case studies
CATC · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The CAADE Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor (CATC) credential is associated with the California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE), a California organization whose stated focus is "Excellence in Education for Addiction Professionals." The credential is aimed at counselors working in alcohol and drug (AOD) treatment settings in California who want a certification grounded in the educator-accredited training pathway rather than a generalist human-services route. Candidates typically come through CAADE-accredited Alcohol and Drug Studies higher education programs, which the association describes as consisting of "a minimum of 39-semester credit units – or approximately 645 clock hours." Because CAADE's published material directs counselor registration and certification inquiries to ACCBC, candidates should confirm current application procedures there rather than assuming the exam is administered by CAADE itself. The CATC case studies are 5 cases and about 2,969 words.
1The Withdrawal That Isn't on the Intake Form
Marcus, 34, presents for intake at an outpatient program on a Tuesday morning. He reports daily alcohol use: 'about a fifth of vodka, sometimes more, for the last three years.' He last drank at 11 p.m.
568 words, about 3 min2The Sponsor Who Wants the Counseling Notes
A residential program uses a 12-step facilitation model. A client, Denise, 41, has signed a standard consent for the program to coordinate with her 'recovery support network.' Her sponsor, Ray, has 15 years in AA and is well known in the local fellowship.
605 words, about 3 min3The Positive Drug Screen and the Probation Officer
Carlos, 28, is in an intensive outpatient program as a condition of probation for a drug possession charge. His probation officer, Ms.
613 words, about 3 min4The Counselor's Own Recovery and the New Client
Priya is a certified addiction counselor with 6 years in recovery from opioid use disorder; she is on buprenorphine maintenance and attends NA. A new client, Tom, 45, is assigned to her.
573 words, about 3 min5The Discharge That Isn't Really a Discharge
A 28-day residential program is at full capacity (24 beds) and has a waitlist of 11 people, several with overdose risk. A client, Angela, 52, has completed day 21.
610 words, about 3 min