Addiction Counselor Mock Interview

Practice 30 Addiction Counselor interview questions covering ethical dilemmas, crisis intervention, and client-centered approaches.

Question 29 of 30

Have you ever worked with clients with gambling addictions, and if so, what therapies do you find helpful?

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Rachelle Enns

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.

"While my experience treating clients with gambling addictions is limited, I am familiar with the addiction and some of the options available for treatment. Outpatient treatment programs are more commonly used by people with gambling addictions. In this type of program, clients will attend classes at a facility. Some clients may also attend group sessions and one-on-one therapy. This type of therapy allows clients to continue to live at home and participate in school, work, or other daily activities, which helps create an atmosphere of independence."

Rachelle Enns

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.

"In 5 years I would like to be seen as an authority in the area of addictions. I would like to be well-connected and trusted when it comes to my work here."

Heather Douglass

Heather Douglass has over 20 years of experience as a Career Coach, Recruiter, and HR Specialist. Much of her experience is as a Technical Recruiter in the healthcare industry.

People with addictions often try to hide their condition, but a gambling addiction can be difficult to conceal. These clients may need frequent access to casinos or online gambling pools. Even if the person gambles at home when no one is around, the addiction may begin to show itself in other areas of the client's life Many people with a gambling addiction may also experience consequences of their addiction such as disintegrating relationships or friendships. Some even experience the loss of house, job, car, or other personal possessions. Unlike those with a food addiction, these clients do not need the source of their addiction to survive. Therefore, if the client is truly willing to change, overcoming this addiction can be done.

Heather Douglass

Heather Douglass has over 20 years of experience as a Career Coach, Recruiter, and HR Specialist. Much of her experience is as a Technical Recruiter in the healthcare industry.

"I have worked with clients who have gambling addictions. With the right treatment, gambling addiction is manageable. Unlike someone with a food addiction, the object of your addiction is not necessary for survival. One of the most important steps is learning how to develop a healthy and balanced relationship with money. It is important for someone with a gambling addiction to completely stop gambling since even occasionally gambling can lead to a relapse. A program of recovery can help develop impulse control. In general, gambling addiction is treated with similar methods as other addictions. There are support groups such as Gambling Anonymous, 12 step programs, and psychotherapy, all of which are helpful if the participant truly desires change."

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Anonymous Answer

I have not worked directly with anyone with a gambling addiction, but I've heard that it's best treated on an outpatient basis to keep the client's daily life as normal and routine as possible to create an atmosphere of independence.

Kristine's Feedback

Great answer!

I have not worked directly with anyone with a gambling addiction. Still, I've heard that it's best treated on an outpatient basis to keep the client's daily life as normal and routine as possible to create an atmosphere of independence.

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30Addiction Counselor Interview Questions & Answers

1.What made you choose a career as an Addiction Counselor?

2.What is something that is difficult for you to deal with being an addiction counselor?

3.If you had a client who told you he was only coming to counseling because he was ordered to by a judge and that he had no intention of quitting drugs, how would you handle the situation?

4.What are some addictions that you have worked with previously and can you share something about one addiction with me?

5.Have you or a loved one ever been directly affected by an addiction?

6.What would an ideal work schedule be like for you?

7. What is something that is rewarding to you about being an addiction counselor?

8.If a client began to be physically aggressive toward you, how would you handle the situation?

9.How would your coworkers describe you?

10.If a client has a food addiction, what are some things that you like to do with them as part of their counseling?

11.Do you have experience doing group counseling sessions, and if so, what are your thoughts?

12.What makes you feel you will be a good fit for our organization?

13.Other than individual counseling, what are some other services you have provided to clients and/or their families?

14.What are some major factors that may cause a patient to relapse, and how do you approach preparing clients to cope with or avoid these risk factors?

15.If you were the person responsible for hiring new employees, what qualities would you look for in a candidate, and do you think you possess those qualities?

16.If you were to teach a counseling intern regarding signs to observe for that may indicate signs of drug abuse, what would you tell them?

17.Tell me about a time you were trusted with confidential information regarding a patient's care.

18.Is there a type of patient or specific diagnosis that you find it more difficult to treat?

19.What are you thoughts regarding involving a client's family in their treatment, and how do you go about doing that?

20.If you had a client who consistently lied to you regarding his continued substance abuse, how would you handle that situation?

21.Have you ever considered choosing a different specialty?

22.What are your thoughts about inpatient treatment facilities, and what do you think could make the chances of staying in recovery better for clients after they have been discharged from inpatient care?

23.Has there ever been a time that you had a disagreement with a coworker, and if so, how was it resolved?

24.What characteristics do you think are important for an addiction counselor to possess?

25.Under what circumstances would you feel that you need to turn the care of a client over to another counselor?

26.Have you ever done any volunteer work or public education related to substance abuse or addiction disorders?

27.If a client was under the care of another counselor at your place of employment, but that client came to you and suggested that his current counselor had made inappropriate advances toward him, how would you respond?