LMSW Practice Test

When treating persons who have had long periods of alcohol dependence and abuse, the worker might reasonably expect that?

1. once treatment has been fully implemented clients will be free of their addiction

2. the client will consistently lie about their alcohol use

3. there is a high likelihood of cycling between periods of relapse and recovery

4. their friends will be supportive and try to help them refrain from using alcohol

The correct answer is: once treatment has been fully implemented clients will be free of their addiction

In the context of long-term alcohol dependence and abuse, the most reasonable expectation is that there is a high likelihood of cycling between periods of relapse and recovery. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as the "chronic disease model" of addiction. Individuals with a history of substance use disorders often experience ongoing challenges related to their addiction, and recovery is typically not a linear process. Instead, many individuals may go through cycles of relapse, followed by attempts at recovery. This expectation is informed by the understanding that addiction can alter brain chemistry and behavior, making sustained abstinence difficult, especially in the face of stress or triggers that remind the individual of past alcohol use. Thus, it is crucial for social workers and healthcare providers to remain mindful of these potential challenges when developing treatment plans, emphasizing ongoing support and relapse prevention strategies. The other options do not align with the established understanding of addiction recovery. For instance, suggesting that clients will be free of their addiction after treatment is overly optimistic and does not consider the complexities of addiction recovery. Similarly, while some clients may indeed struggle with honesty, it isn't accurate or appropriate to generalize that all clients will consistently lie about their alcohol use. Finally, assuming that friends will be universally supportive overlooks the variability in social support networks,