26 Addiction Psychiatrist Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Addiction Psychiatrist interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. What can we expect from you in the first 90 days?
How to Answer
There isn't enough time during the interview to explain step by step on how you plan to make a significant impression in your first 90 days. For this reason, it's a great idea to bring a 90-day action plan with you to your interview. Think of it as a mini-presentation. Outline what you are most influential with, and create an action statement.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I will approach my first 90 days in three, 30-day phases. During the first phase, I'll concentrate on building trust and rapport with my colleagues. Second, I will get a good handle on my caseload. And lastly, I would like to tackle any projects or take on any extra duties to better myself and help out the team. Also, I'm aware that you have an inspection coming up in about 90 days. In my current position, "‹we just finished up with an inspection that went very smoothly. I played a major role in preparing and presenting in the inspection and would like to ensure that you are all ready to go as well."
Written by Rachelle Enns
2. What is your experience treating eating disorders?
How to Answer
As an addiction psychiatrist, you've likely been a part of a multi-disciplinary team to treat many disorders. Walk the interviewer through your treatment combination of psychological and nutritional counseling, along with medical and psychiatric monitoring.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"Food addiction is something I've been working in for the past two years. Developing treatment plans for children are one of my specialties. I fully understand that treatment must address the eating disorder symptoms and medical consequences, as well as psychological, biological, interpersonal, and cultural forces that contribute to the eating disorder."
Written by Rachelle Enns
3. What other hospitals have you applied to?
How to Answer
Be upfront with the interviewer. Word travels fast when hiring managers are calling around to find out more about you. Be sure to tell the interviewer why you chose to apply for their position and why you would like this job over the others for which you have applied. Don't discuss who pays more but who can offer more opportunity and would be the best fit for you.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I have applied to two other hospitals in the area. The reason I applied for this position was because my primary interest is in children and addictive behavior. I have 10 years experience working with children and have enjoyed every minute of it."
Written by Rachelle Enns
4. How do you maintain the confidentiality of clients?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know that you understand confidentiality laws and that you are committed to following these rules to protect your clients. Discuss the actions that you take to ensure your patients' safety and privacy is always a top priority for you. Let the interviewer know you are careful and mindful of the potential for breach of confidentiality.
Written by Rachelle Enns
5. What type of help do you offer the family of an addict?
How to Answer
As an addiction psychiatrist, you understand that addiction affects not only the patient but their family as well. Relay to the interviewer that you understand the recovery process not only helps families heal, but is also important for building a healthy support system for those in early recovery. Tell the interviewer about any group sessions you've held, support groups you've led that assist the family members of addicted patients.
Written by Rachelle Enns
6. Would you treat an Opiate addiction with Suboxone or Methadone?
How to Answer
Suboxone vs. Methadone is a discussion you've probably had numerous times with your colleagues. Tell the interviewer that the decision between these two medications is a difficult one to make and many factors are considered including their dosing schedule, side effects, the "‹risk of abuse and overdose, cost, and long-term effects. Show off your expertise and level of knowledge a bit!
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"Research shows that both are proven to be effective. However, each medication comes with its risks and benefits. Methadone has been used for decades and is well-known and established, making it the easy choice for some providers. Suboxone has been used for a shorter time frame, and there is less research available, but it shows promising success in the treatment of addiction. Although both medications can be effective in reducing the rates of opiate addiction, my choice of medication is made collaboratively between the patient and me while considering all factors and side effects."
Written by Rachelle Enns
7. What is your biggest weakness?
How to Answer
Preparing for this question requires a little bit of self-awareness and strategy. You don't want to share that you have trouble working with difficult people or that you struggle with recalling details of a conversation, as those are critical aspects of your role. What you do want to focus on is a weakness that you could possibly turn into a strength or share something that would not be detrimental to your role that you are working on improving.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I have learned that I am a perfectionist and can sometimes spend more time than necessary on a task. However, I also know that when something is done, it is done correctly and I never miss deadlines. My perfectionism has pushed me to learn how to delegate more as I've learned that I can't do and take on everything myself."
Written by Rachelle Enns
8. What is your greatest strength?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know the areas of your role as a psychiatrist that you feel you are best versed. Strength and weakness questions are the most common questions asked in an interview. It's essential that you have your answers rehearsed but not memorized, so you don't sound like a robot. If you are having a hard time answering this question, think of what your colleagues compliment you on. Tell the interviewer about your unique and memorable skills such as your ability to quickly write detailed SOAP notes, your natural ease with others, or the extra compassion you exude in comparison to other psychiatrists.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"One of my strengths is my ability to empathize and express my understanding to my patients. This added level of empathy and care makes them feel more comfortable talking to me."
Written by Rachelle Enns
9. Have you worked with patients going through detox?
How to Answer
As an addiction psychiatrist, you know the goal of any detox program is physiological healing after long-term drug addiction. Perhaps your sessions start with stabilization then detoxification. Tell the interviewer about a particular patient's story, keeping confidentiality in mind. Explain the type of detox your patient went through, the stages and withdraw symptoms.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"My last detox patient was working through heroin addiction. We opted for a medical detox to make it a bit easier on the patient. The patient continues to see me once a week and has been sober for three months."
Written by Rachelle Enns
10. How do you deal with an aggressive addict?
How to Answer
As an addiction psychiatrist, you may often treat aggressive addicts. Tell the interviewer how you go about working cohesively with someone that may behave aggressively and inappropriately. Perhaps you have a serious conversation with the person when they are sober and do so after an incident has occurred so that the event or problem is fresh in their minds. Maybe you choose to work closely with the patient you counsel, and their family, helping them not to enable the aggressive behavior.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"As an addiction psychiatrist, I know that most patients will go through an aggressive stage during our treatment. My staff and I are prepared to handle difficult situations. Possible situations are discussed during our morning huddle to ensure enough staff is readily available if something were to happen."
Written by Rachelle Enns
11. Have you treated a patient with a food addiction?
How to Answer
As an addiction psychiatrist, you are likely well versed in treating addictions of many types. Tell the interviewer how you conduct your formal assessment, refer to a multidisciplinary team and treat the patient with food addiction. Tell the interviewer how you decide whether to treat your patients with medication or 12-step programs. Discuss the outcome of a specific case, if you can.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I have treated patients with food addictions. My greatest challenge was helping addicts who are still active in their addiction because of their often excessive lying. After having the patient face their fears and address the lying we were able to move on to treatment."
Written by Rachelle Enns
12. Do you have any questions?
How to Answer
This question offers you the opportunity to flip the tables for a few minutes, and ensure that this role is a fit for your career goals. You can ask the interviewer why the position is available, for instance. This particular question will give you some insight into the last person who held this role, and perhaps why it was not a successful partnership.
Ask the interviewer what a typical day is like in the office. This question will give you an idea of workload and what your day-to-day life would look like in this role. Feel free to bring a notebook and write down the answers to these questions you asked.
Here are some sample questions:
- When would you like to have this position filled?
- How long has this role been vacant?
- Is this a replacement search or a newly created role?
- What is your favorite part about working for this clinic?
- What is the practices' primary goal for this position in the next 12 months?
- Is there anything from my background and experience that I can clarify for you?
- What do you see as the most significant change in the psychology industry over the past three years?
- Is there any reason why you would not hire me?
Written by Rachelle Enns
13. What are your salary expectations?
How to Answer
In many states, it is now illegal for hiring authorities to ask about your current earnings. A question like this will give the interviewer a solid idea of what you are hoping to earn. When you change positions, you want to see an increase in wage. Most interviewees will typically aim for a 7-15% increase for each time they change jobs. This range offers room for negotiations with the new company. This percentage increase reflects economic inflation, unique skills you bring to the table from the last time you joined an organization, and an increase in responsibilities. The best way to discuss your salary expectations is to use your current earnings as an example if you are comfortable doing so. If this makes you uncomfortable, do give as many indicators as you can. Be open, and honest. Transparency is the best choice when salary based questions arise.
If you are newer to your career, or the area, and are unsure of what a fair ask may be, there are many reliable salary calculators available online.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I can share with you what I am currently earning, and where I would like to be in my next position. What range are you offering for this position?"
Written by Rachelle Enns
14. Why do you want a career as an addiction psychiatrist?
How to Answer
You chose this career for a reason. Consider your motivation to help people and your drive to learn new, innovative techniques. From where did that motivation come? Perhaps you have struggled with addiction in the past or helped a loved one through the stressful situation. The interviewer is interested in your motivation, which is often something that enables you to push through the challenges. As an addiction psychiatrist, you will be assisting others with their most difficult issues, so you need to have a strong motivation, and an innate desire to keep moving forward.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"When I was in private practice as a psychiatrist, the majority of my patients were suffering from addiction. I realized the great need and decided to pursue the addiction field. I am happy that I made this decision as I have helped others to heal, and have brought families back together. In addition to all of this, I have learned a great deal myself about forgiveness, the importance of facing your issues, and just how much perseverance we can have as human beings."
Written by Rachelle Enns
15. What are the psychological signs of drug abuse?
How to Answer
As an addiction psychiatrist, you start your sessions off with an intake questionnaire. You may identify unusual mood swings, the patients lack motivation, suffer from paranoid thinking, poor memory or they may seem unreasonable fearful for no reason. Discuss with the interviewer how you pinpoint the signs of drug abuse.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"There are many signs that I note when interviewing a patient. Primarily I look for sharp mood swings. I've seen many different signs of drug abuse, from outbursts to paranoid thinking. I make a point to talk to my patients not only about how they are feeling but future thoughts they may have while coming down. We work out a plan to get past the side effects and become healthy again."
Written by Rachelle Enns
16. What are a few challenges you feel a substance abuser will face?
How to Answer
As an Addiction Psychiatrist, you've seen your patients struggle with many types of addiction. Tell the interviewer about the trouble your patients may have managing negative emotions, the fact that they may lack sufficient problem-solving skills and that they may struggle with their moral reasoning. Show how you help your patients overcome these typical challenges.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"Addicts face challenges every day. If getting clean was easy, everyone would do it. Failure, suicidal tendencies or even overdose will be just a few challenges an abuser will face during their period of addiction."
Written by Rachelle Enns
17. Who has been an inspiration to your career as a psychiatrist?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know if there has been anyone who has mentored you and helped to get you where you are today. When answering this question choose someone who truly inspired you to ensure a more authentic response. You don't have to tell a long story here but do provide some context about your own personal characteristics that led you to admire this person. Bonus points if the person is in the same career field as the position for which you are interviewing. Provide specific examples of how this person inspired you.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"A couple of people have been inspiring to me, in my psychology career. My father, a pediatrician, has been my inspiration and mentor throughout my childhood, adulthood, and career. He has always encouraged me and pushed me to be the best doctor that I could be. Second, my more specific mentor is one of my former professors who I met when completing my doctorate. She is a brilliant individual and taught me to think about a problem or situation in a hundred different ways. I am thankful to have a couple of great mentors and influencers who have helped to shape who I am."
Written by Rachelle Enns
18. What are your thoughts on the advancements in addiction psychiatry?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know how you feel about the latest advancements in your field. These advancements can include treatment methods, resources, or even technology. The way you answer this question will show the interviewer that you are keen on keeping up with the latest and greatest happenings in the field of psychology.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I'm not one to do my job on autopilot. I think it's important to seek out opportunities for advancement within your career. It's exciting to see where medicine is going and I like to follow along closely. This approach ensures that I advance my career while also gaining stronger tools to help my patients and mentor my junior clinicians. I hope to help create a learning environment for clinicians around me so we can bring new ideas and advancements to our practice."
Written by Rachelle Enns
19. How would you treat a patient that relapses?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about a time that one of your patients relapsed and the steps you took to care for them. Explain the treatment or program you wrote up for your patient, the extra time you spent encouraging them, and the individual counseling you provided. If you use a specific example, of course, remember the importance of patient confidentiality.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"When a patient relapses, all you can do is help them pick up the pieces and start again. It's important to let my patients know that I believe in them and I'm here to help them, even if that means they fail. My patients know that they can be transparent with me and honest about their struggles. My office is a judgment-free zone, but it is not accountability-free. I make sure that my patients have an action plan for recovery and that they follow this."
Written by Rachelle Enns
20. What makes you passionate about being an addiction psychiatrist?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know about your inner drivers and the source of your passion when it comes to your work as an addiction psychiatrist. Passion, drive, motivation. You have it all! Show the interviewer that you are passionate about helping your patients and being the best psychiatrist possible.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I'm passionate about making a difference. When I'm involved with a project at work, I want to do my best to achieve success for myself, and for my patients. I feel the same way about what I do in my personal life. I aim to make a difference in all that I do, and be a change-agent for those who come to me."
Written by Rachelle Enns
21. Give me a time when you had to set an important goal and how you reached it.
How to Answer
When answering this question share, a goal you've achieved that is relevant to the job for which you are applying. Your goal could be a promotion that you made, or that you graduated from college with honors. Share the steps you took to reach the goal and why you think you were successful. You can even share what you would do differently in the future to show that you have taken time to reflect on this experience. However, you answer this, share how you remained disciplined and focused on reaching your goal.
Written by Rachelle Enns
1st Answer Example
"The most significant goal I achieved was when I decided to work a full-time job while still attending University. I set my mind to graduate debt free, and have never worked so hard for something. I graduated top of my class and never missed a day of work, at the same time! I graduated debt free, and I am very proud of that fact. While obtaining my education, I set a goal to do my clinicals in three different areas of medicine. These were emergency medicine, working with teens, and working within the prison system. I was able to rotate through all three areas and gained a wealth of knowledge."
Written by Rachelle Enns
2nd Answer Example
"I set a goal to do my clinicals in three different areas of medicine; Emergency Medicine, working with teens and working within the prison system. I was able to rotate through all three areas and gained a wealth of knowledge."
Written by Rachelle Enns
22. Describe a situation where you had to make a quick decision.
How to Answer
As an addiction psychiatrist, you make educated and quick decisions on a daily basis. These decisions may include the course of treatment you take with your patients, how to interact with other medical professionals when you are in a pinch, or even reacting in a medical emergency. Offer an example where you made a fast, but successful decision, and share the challenges you overcame in this situation. Discuss your process and how you worked through the pros and cons of the choices you had to make.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I had a patient that started talking about hurting themselves during a session. I was able to take fast action and got the patient to an inpatient facility and kept the patient safe. I believe that my ability to make a quick decision came from the fact that I am very knowledgeable in my field and also have some strong connections and resources that I can lean on in an emergency situation."
Written by Rachelle Enns
23. How well do you work with people?
How to Answer
As an addiction psychiatrist, of course, you work great with people! You are in the people business, and the interviewer wants to hear that you work well with all types of people from every walk of life. Assure the interviewer that you can handle what comes with working alongside the public day in and day out.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"In our line of work, working well with people is what we do! I pride myself on building positive professional working relationships and successful patient and therapist relationships. I try my best to be flexible and open in the workplace, understanding that things can change very fast when you are dealing with a plethora of personalities. I also want to stay on good terms with my coworkers, so if I sense a conflict arising, I will be sensitive in addressing it before it escalates."
Written by Rachelle Enns
24. What was your biggest failure?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to understand what you felt was the most significant failure in your career. This question is not a personal question so be sure to keep your reply career-related. Show that you can accept failure at times, but are able to turn it around, learn from the situation, and bounce back quickly. Explain that you are self-aware enough to acknowledge failure and weakness. You take smart risks, and you view success, failure, and risk-taking as learning experiences.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"My biggest perceived failure is not starting University immediately after High School. Taking a year offset me back more than I thought it could have and it made it difficult for me when it came to being accepted into my top choice University. Although I do regret not getting back into it sooner, it all worked out in the end."
Written by Rachelle Enns
25. What is the most difficult situation you have had to face and how did you tackle it?
How to Answer
Think of a situation that affected your emotions in a gut-wrenching way or one that made the wheels of your brain spin! Emotional examples are great because they show you care and are passionate about what you do. It is easier to talk about these challenges in a positive light too. Tell the interviewer a brief overview of your dilemma, explain why it was so challenging for you, and talk them through the steps you took to handle the situation. Also be sure to discuss what you learned from the case.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I recently worked with a patient who committed suicide. This situation is an incredibly challenging one for any therapist or psychiatrist because it makes you feel that you failed someone. I took some time to reassess my work, my methods, and to revisit my approach to this particular patient. I soon realized there was nothing more than I could have done. It's hard to see patients that end their lives because their thoughts so haunt them, and addiction; however, at the end of the day, I can provide the tools and support, but I can't make them want the change for themselves. That comes from within."
Written by Rachelle Enns
26. Why should we hire you?
How to Answer
As a psychiatrist, you likely have a good beat on what sets you apart from your colleagues. Have you given yourself a personality test? As you already know, this tool is excellent for pinpointing strengths, and unique qualities Think of some unique and stand-out qualities that will stay with the interviewer, long after your meeting.
This reply is not the time or place to say that you pay keen attention to detail. Choose a specific skill that is a 'must-have' for a successful addiction psychiatrist, or focus on a pain point that you can solve by being hired. Rely on your past achievements to back up your reply. Make the interviewer feel as though they will not succeed without you!
If you are having a hard time narrowing down your list of why the employer should hire you, ask a few former co-workers or family members what they feel is the one unique thing that sets you apart from the other candidates. Their perceptions will help you understand how you are perceived and what makes you the perfect person for the opportunity.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"You mentioned today that the biggest pain-point for your practice is that you cannot find psychiatrists who have experience in addictions and group therapy, who are also bi-lingual. I am fluent in Spanish, French, and English, and also bring the experience leading group therapy efforts, for which you are seeking. This stand-out blend of skills is one of the reasons why my current practice embraced me so quickly, and I look forward to delivering the same results to your office."
Written by Rachelle Enns