LMSW Practice Test

Generally speaking, addicted clients have poor treatment prognosis when:

1. They also have borderline or antisocial personality disorder.

2. They are over 40.

3. They are unemployed or homeless.

4. They suffer from an anxiety disorder.

The correct answer is: They also have borderline or antisocial personality disorder.

Addicted clients often have poor treatment prognosis when they also present with borderline or antisocial personality disorder. This is primarily due to the challenging nature of these personality disorders, which can complicate the treatment process. Individuals with borderline personality disorder may experience intense emotions and unstable relationships, leading to difficulties in adhering to treatment plans. Similarly, those with antisocial personality disorder may exhibit a lack of regard for social norms or the feelings of others, making engagement in treatment and the development of a therapeutic alliance more difficult. The presence of these disorders can hinder motivation for recovery, increase the risk of relapse, and diminish the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions designed for substance use issues. While factors like age, unemployment, or homelessness, along with anxiety disorders, can influence treatment outcomes, the presence of severe personality disorders significantly compounds these challenges and typically leads to a more complex and less favorable prognosis in the context of addiction treatment.