Addiction Counselor Mock Interview

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

Question 16 of 30

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?

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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.

"Some of the easiest signs that I would tell a counseling intern are when a client seems fearful for no reason or who lacks motivation, especially with regard to things that you used to be of interest to him."

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 each person abusing drugs may display different signs of using, there are some signs that are commonly seen. Some of the most common are unusual mood swings, poor memory, anxiety and hyperactivity. I always encourage counseling interns to trust their judgment. Especially as we get to know clients, it becomes easier to pick up on things that are not the 'norm' for that client. Further, I like to encourage interns to report any suspected slip or relapse to me right away, as it is best for the client's counselor to address these suspicions with the client."

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.

Anyone who has worked with substance abuse for any length of time will likely tell you that addicts learn to hide or mask signs of substance use. Being able to learn skills that will help detect the use of illegal substances, or relapse, in a client is a vital skill of counselors. The interviewer wants to know that you are familiar with the most common signs and are able to tell someone new in this field what to look for.

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.

"If I were to spend time with a counseling intern and try to educate him on signs of possible drug abuse, I would tell them that anything that seems 'out of character' for the client would be something to pay attention to. For instance, a client who is normally quiet and has a reserved personality, but who is suddenly easily agitated or aggressive would be an example. Also, if the client seems paranoid when he is normally not remarkably wary of others, these are a few signs to be aware of."

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Anonymous Answer

There are many signs to indicate drug abuse; acting overly fidgety and/or anxious, abnormal dilation or small pinpoint pupils, bloodshot eyes and/or anything odd or unusual about a known client's behavior or appearance.

Kristine's Feedback

Great response. Your knowledge really stands out in this answer. I assisted with the wording to ensure clarity.

There are many signs to indicate drug abuse. I would advise the counseling intern to keep an eye out for someone acting overly fidgety or anxious, abnormal dilation or small pinpoint pupils, bloodshot eyes, or anything odd or unusual about a known client's behavior or appearance.

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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?