Continuing Education Quiz—Treating the high-functioning alcoholic

Earn continuing education credits by taking this quiz on the article in this issue. A grade of 70% or above will earn you a certificate of completion for two nationally certified continuing education hours. This is an open-book quiz. After reading the article, complete the quiz by circling one of the three multiple-choice answers for each question. Please give only one response per question. Incomplete answers will be marked as incorrect. Send a photocopy of the page along with your payment of $35 (NAADAC members) or $50 (nonmembers). Please complete fully the information section below; print clearly.

Treating the high-functioning alcoholic

1. A 2007 NIAAA study found that the stereotypical low-functioning alcoholic actually represents this percentage of all alcoholics.

a. 9%

b. 22%

c. 50%

2. The NIAAA study found that this subtype of alcoholics was the largest of five subtypes it identified.

a. Functional

b. Young antisocial

c. Young adult

3. In their personal lives, high-functioning alcoholics tend to surround themselves with:

a. Friends who won't be critical.

b. Heavy drinkers.

c. Few individuals at all.

4. The author states that diagnosis of alcoholism in the high-functioning population can often be assisted by symptoms that are described in:

a. The CAGE assessment tool.

b. AA's Big Book.

c. The DSM-IV.

5. The author states that setting goals for this type of activity might serve to help high-functioning alcoholics embrace an abstinence strategy.

a. Attendance in group therapy

b. Moderate levels of drinking

c. Socializing only with non-drinkers

6. The author suggests that clinicians urge clients who initiate participation in AA to try it for this period of time before drawing conclusions about it.

a. Two weeks

b. One month

c. Two months

7. Clinicians should warn high-functioning alcoholics who start participating in AA about this aspect of meetings.

a. Low-functioning alcoholics will talk about experiences that are markedly different from theirs.

b. High-functioning alcoholics will be expected to participate to a great degree from the start.

c. High-functioning alcoholics might experience hostility from others in the meeting.

8. Clinicians should consider doing this to learn more about recovery support and its potential for the high-functioning client.

a. Make sure they are familiar with the Big Book

b. Attend a support group meeting

c. Be well-versed in recent research on 12-Step facilitation

9. The author states that this constitutes a potential stumbling block for high-functioning alcoholics in early stages of sobriety.

a. Too many work obligations as job performance improves

b. More struggle with personal and work duties than before

c. More intense cravings than what other alcoholics endure

10. The author says this is often the explanation for why high-functioning alcoholics experience few losses from their drinking.

a. Luck

b. Denial

c. Lack of resources