CASAC flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

DSM-5-TR SUD threshold

A substance use disorder is diagnosed when at least 2 of 11 criteria occur within a 12-month period. Two to three criteria indicate mild disorder, four to five moderate, and six or more severe.

AUDIT screening purpose

The 10-item Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test screens for hazardous and harmful drinking patterns, including consumption, dependence symptoms, and alcohol-related problems, and yields a score used to guide brief intervention.

ASAM dimension one

Dimension 1 assesses intoxication and withdrawal potential, including current intoxication, withdrawal risk, and prior complicated withdrawal. It drives decisions about medical monitoring and withdrawal management level of care.

Measurable treatment objective

A treatment objective states a specific, observable behavior, the conditions under which it occurs, and a timeframe. Example: client will attend three support meetings weekly for four weeks, verified by signed attendance sheets.

Level of care 2.1

ASAM Level 2.1 is intensive outpatient treatment, typically nine or more structured service hours per week for adults, for clients who need more than weekly outpatient care but do not require residential placement.

Treatment plan review trigger

A treatment plan is reviewed at scheduled intervals set by policy and whenever a significant event occurs, such as a level-of-care change, relapse, new diagnosis, or hospitalization.

42 CFR Part 2 consent

Consent under 42 CFR Part 2 must name the program permitted to disclose, the recipient, the purpose, the information covered, and an expiration date, and it prohibits redisclosure without new consent.

Warm handoff

A warm handoff is a direct, real-time connection between the referring counselor and the receiving provider, often with the client present, which reduces failed referrals and repeated intake interviews.

Mandated reporting override

Duties to report suspected child abuse or neglect are legal obligations that supersede client confidentiality and do not require client consent, though the client should be informed of the limits in advance.

OARS in motivational interviewing

OARS stands for Open questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, and Summaries. These core counseling skills build engagement and evoke change talk while keeping the counselor from directing or lecturing.

Change talk categories

Change talk includes preparatory statements of desire, ability, reason, and need, and mobilizing statements of commitment, activation, and taking steps. Counselors reflect and reinforce these statements to strengthen motivation.

Righting reflex

The righting reflex is the counselor's urge to correct, advise, or fix a client's problem. In motivational interviewing it is counterproductive because arguing for change invites the client to argue against it.

CRAFT for families

Community Reinforcement and Family Training teaches concerned significant others to reduce enabling behavior, improve communication, and use positive reinforcement to increase the likelihood that a loved one enters treatment.

Naloxone education content

Naloxone education covers recognizing overdose signs, calling emergency services first, administering nasal or injectable naloxone, and supporting breathing. Naloxone precipitates withdrawal and may require repeat dosing.

Medication mechanisms comparison

Methadone is a full opioid agonist, buprenorphine a partial agonist with high affinity, and naltrexone an antagonist. Each has different induction requirements, withdrawal risks, and interactions with opioid pain medication.

SOAP note components

A SOAP note documents Subjective client report, Objective observations and data, Assessment of clinical status and progress, and Plan for next steps. It must describe interventions and client response, not just attendance.

Record correction procedure

A corrected entry keeps the original text legible, draws a single line through the error, and adds initials, date, and reason. Electronic records use an addendum. Erasing or backdating is prohibited.

Late entry documentation

A late entry is written after the service date and must be labeled as a late entry with the actual date of writing, the date of the service, and the reason for the delay. Backdating is never permitted.

Informed consent elements

Informed consent documents the nature of services, risks and benefits, alternatives, fees, confidentiality and its limits, and the client's right to refuse or withdraw consent at any time.

Boundary crossing versus violation

A boundary crossing is a minor, non-exploitative deviation from standard practice, such as accepting a small gift. A boundary violation is exploitative or harmful, such as a sexual or financial relationship.

Scope of practice limit

Scope of practice defines the services a credential legally permits. Counselors who lack diagnostic authority must refer for diagnosis and must not practice outside their training and licensure.

Methadone QT risk

Methadone can prolong the cardiac QT interval, especially at higher doses or with interacting medications. Programs monitor for arrhythmia risk and may obtain electrocardiograms when clinically indicated.

Precipitated withdrawal cause

Precipitated withdrawal occurs when buprenorphine, a high-affinity partial agonist, is started while full opioid agonists still occupy receptors, displacing them abruptly. Induction requires sufficient abstinence or low agonist levels.

Acamprosate and disulfiram

Acamprosate reduces alcohol craving and supports abstinence and is generally well tolerated. Disulfiram blocks aldehyde dehydrogenase, producing an aversive reaction if alcohol is consumed, and requires adherence and monitoring.

Integrated co-occurring treatment

Integrated treatment addresses substance use and mental health conditions concurrently by the same team, rather than requiring one condition to be treated before the other, and is associated with better outcomes.

Suicide risk assessment elements

Assessment covers ideation, plan, intent, access to lethal means, prior attempts, substance intoxication, and protective factors. Direct questions about suicide do not increase risk and improve disclosure.

Safety planning components

A safety plan lists personal warning signs, internal coping strategies, people and places that provide distraction, people to call for help, professionals and crisis lines, and steps to restrict access to lethal means.

Opioid overdose response

Suspect overdose with pinpoint pupils, slow or absent breathing, unresponsiveness, and bluish lips. Call emergency services, give naloxone, and provide rescue breathing until the person responds or help arrives.

Alcohol withdrawal danger

Alcohol withdrawal can escalate from tremor and anxiety to seizures and delirium tremens, which is potentially fatal. Benzodiazepines are first-line treatment and medically supervised withdrawal is required for high-risk clients.

De-escalation first steps

De-escalation begins with a calm tone, reduced environmental stimulation, adequate physical space, and offering choices. Restraint or emergency services are used only when safety cannot otherwise be maintained.

Duty to protect

When a client makes a credible threat against an identifiable person, state law may require warning the intended victim, notifying law enforcement, or arranging hospitalization. The specific duty varies by jurisdiction.

Brief intervention sequence

Following a positive screen, a brief intervention delivers feedback on the score, clear advice, a negotiated goal, and a follow-up appointment. This SBIRT sequence is documented in the record.