5 Addiction Counselor Interview Questions and Answers

Introduction

Addiction counselor interns must quickly build rapport and use evidence-based approaches (like motivational interviewing) to help clients move from ambivalence to readiness for change. This assesses communication, empathy, and counseling technique.

How to answer

• Use the STAR structure: Situation (client background), Task (your goal), Action (specific techniques you used), and Result (measurable or observable outcome).
• Name concrete therapeutic approaches you used (e.g., motivational interviewing, reflective listening, open questions, decisional balance).
• Describe how you built rapport and addressed cultural or language considerations (relevant in Spain for regional language, family dynamics, stigma).
• Explain how you checked in on readiness to change and adjusted your approach when resistance appeared.
• State the outcome and what you learned—how you would apply that learning as an intern in a clinical team.

What not to say

• Giving only vague statements like 'I built rapport' without describing how.
• Overemphasizing confrontation or coercion as a technique.
• Claiming a complete success without acknowledging ongoing challenges or follow-up steps.
• Talking only about yourself rather than the client's needs or omitting cultural/contextual factors relevant in Spain.

Example answer

“At a community center in Valencia, I worked with a 28-year-old client using cannabis and occasional pills who was unsure about reducing use. My goal was to move her from pre-contemplation to contemplation. I used motivational interviewing: open questions, reflective listening, and a decisional-balance exercise to explore pros and cons. I validated her fears about social consequences and tailored suggestions to small achievable steps (tracking use, setting a no-use period at home). Over three sessions she identified personal reasons to cut back and agreed to meet a peer-support group; her weekly usage episodes decreased and she reported feeling more in control. I documented progress and discussed coordination with my supervisor and the primary care nurse for a possible medical review. I learned the value of patience and culturally sensitive language when addressing stigma.”

Introduction

Situational readiness and crisis response are essential for interns: they must follow safety protocols, stabilize the client, and adapt care plans to reduce harm and support continuity of care.

How to answer

• Start by outlining immediate safety checks: assess risk of overdose, withdrawal symptoms, suicidal ideation, and need for medical attention.
• Describe harm-reduction steps (e.g., naloxone access if opioids involved, safe use information) and when to involve medical staff.
• Explain coordination with multidisciplinary team members (supervisor, psychiatrist, nurse, social worker) and documentation requirements under Spanish clinical protocols.
• Detail how you'd revise the discharge plan: re-evaluate aftercare options, increase follow-up intensity, connect with community resources (centros de salud, mutual-aid groups, specialized addiction services in SNS).
• Mention family involvement and consent, respecting confidentiality and local legal/ethical guidelines.

What not to say

• Ignoring medical risks or failing to escalate to clinical staff when needed.
• Promising outcomes or making decisions beyond your intern scope without supervision.
• Breezing past documentation, informed consent, or legal reporting duties required in Spain.
• Assuming relapse equals failure rather than part of the recovery process.

Example answer

“If a client relapsed the day before discharge at a Madrid residential unit, I would first perform a rapid risk assessment (withdrawal severity, overdose risk, mental health crisis) and notify the nurse and my supervisor immediately. If medical intervention was needed, I'd follow unit protocol for stabilization. Simultaneously, I'd use a nonjudgmental approach to explore triggers and current needs, applying harm-reduction measures (discussing naloxone, safer-use strategies) and ensuring the client understands options. For the discharge plan, I'd postpone final discharge decisions with the team, increase planned outpatient follow-ups, arrange an expedited appointment with a specialized outpatient centro de drogodependencias, and coordinate with primary care for medication review if appropriate. I'd document everything and involve the client in shared decision-making, ensuring confidentiality and any required consent for family contact.”

Introduction

This competency question evaluates knowledge of legal/ethical responsibilities, confidentiality boundaries, mandated reporting, and youth-specific approaches—particularly important in Spain where minors' protection laws and health system procedures apply.

How to answer

• Begin by referencing legal and ethical obligations: duty to protect minors, local reporting laws, and confidentiality limits in Spain.
• Explain how you'd conduct a careful assessment of risk (immediate danger, neglect, abuse) and document findings.
• Describe steps to engage the guardian: sharing concerns sensitively, providing education about risks, and attempting to obtain consent for assessment/treatment.
• Outline when to escalate: involve your supervisor, child protection services (Servicios Sociales), or law enforcement if the minor is in danger or guardian refuses necessary care.
• Include how you'd support the minor directly within your scope (safety planning, harm-reduction advice, referral to youth services) and ensure follow-up.

What not to say

• Claiming you would always respect guardian refusal even if the minor is at clear risk.
• Saying you'd break confidentiality arbitrarily without following protocol or supervision.
• Neglecting to mention documentation, supervision, or contacting appropriate social services.
• Giving legal advice rather than following established reporting channels.

Example answer

“Working in a Catalonia youth outreach program, I encountered a 16-year-old showing signs of regular alcohol and benzodiazepine use while their parent minimized the issue. My first step would be a careful risk assessment and confidential discussion with the adolescent about immediate safety. I'd try to engage the guardian by sharing objective observations and offering resources, emphasizing support rather than blame. If the guardian continues to refuse and I assess significant risk (e.g., severe intoxication, unsafe environment), I would consult my clinical supervisor immediately and follow mandated reporting procedures to Servicios Sociales, documenting all contacts and decisions. Simultaneously, I'd provide the minor with harm-reduction information, discuss options for confidential youth services available in the SNS or local NGOs, and arrange close follow-up. Throughout, I'd respect legal confidentiality limits and seek guidance from senior staff and legal/ethical frameworks in Spain.”

Introduction

Relapse is common in addiction recovery. This question assesses clinical skills, empathy, crisis management, and the ability to use evidence-informed interventions while maintaining therapeutic alliance—critical for an addiction counselor in Singapore's community and clinical settings.

How to answer

• Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) structure to keep the answer clear.
• Briefly describe the client's background, including addiction history and triggers, without revealing identifying details.
• Explain your immediate clinical response to the relapse (safety assessment, de-escalation, harm-reduction steps).
• Describe the therapeutic interventions you used (motivational interviewing, relapse prevention planning, family involvement, referral to medical/psychiatric services if needed).
• Highlight collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and use of community resources (e.g., IMH, NAMS, social services) when appropriate.
• Quantify outcomes if possible (e.g., engagement in treatment, reduced use, improved functioning) and reflect on lessons learned and adjustments in your approach.

What not to say

• Claiming relapse is a failure and saying you discharge the client immediately without offering support.
• Focusing only on punitive actions or judgemental language toward the client.
• Giving vague answers without describing concrete therapeutic techniques or collaboration with other professionals.
• Taking all credit and failing to acknowledge team or client contributions to the outcome.

Example answer

“In a community clinic in Singapore, I worked with a 34-year-old client with opioid dependence who relapsed after six months of abstinence when he lost his job. Immediately I conducted a brief risk and safety assessment to rule out overdose risk and ensured he had naloxone education and access through our clinic. I used motivational interviewing to explore his ambivalence and identify triggers, then co-created a revised relapse-prevention plan including structured daily routines, coping strategies for cravings, and contingency plans for high-risk situations. I coordinated with the clinic's psychiatrist to re-evaluate medication-assisted treatment and with social services to connect him to temporary financial support and employment counselling. Over the next three months he re-engaged in treatment, reduced use frequency, and attended group therapy. The episode reinforced for me the importance of rapid, nonjudgmental response, multidisciplinary coordination, and addressing social determinants in relapse management.”

Introduction

Co-occurring mental health disorders are common and complicate addiction treatment. This situational question evaluates clinical judgment, risk assessment, integrated care planning, client engagement strategies, and knowledge of local referral pathways.

How to answer

• Start by stating the need for a comprehensive assessment (substance use severity, depression screening, suicide risk).
• Describe how you'd build rapport and use empathetic, non-confrontational language to explore the client's resistance to referral.
• Explain harm-reduction and safety measures you'd implement immediately (e.g., safety plan, crisis contacts).
• Outline steps to negotiate a collaborative care approach: proposing co-managed treatment, explaining benefits of psychiatric input, offering options (telepsychiatry, joint sessions), and addressing stigma concerns which can be significant in Singapore.
• Mention local resources and referral channels (e.g., IMH, NAMS outpatient services, community mental health teams) and how you'd facilitate warm hand-offs.
• Discuss follow-up and monitoring plans, documentation, and when to escalate (e.g., worsening suicidality or medical complications).

What not to say

• Insisting rigidly on immediate psychiatric referral without addressing the client's fears or preferences.
• Ignoring the mental health symptoms and focusing only on addiction.
• Failing to mention safety checks or follow-up plans.
• Using stigmatizing language or minimizing local cultural barriers to psychiatric care.

Example answer

“I would begin with an integrated assessment including a validated depression screen (PHQ-9) and a suicide risk check. Recognising common stigma around mental health in Singapore, I’d acknowledge the client's concerns, ask open-ended questions about their reservations, and gently provide psychoeducation about how treating depression can improve chances of recovery from alcohol dependence. To respect their autonomy, I’d propose a collaborative plan: continue outpatient counselling while arranging a joined session with a psychiatrist for an initial consultation, or offer telepsychiatry if they prefer. Meanwhile, I’d implement immediate safety measures—developing a safety plan, identifying support persons, and scheduling more frequent check-ins. I’d also liaise with NAMS/IMH for streamlined referral and, with the client’s consent, coordinate care with their GP for any medical stabilization. If the client’s mood or risk escalates, I’d escalate to urgent psychiatric assessment. This approach balances clinical prudence, cultural sensitivity, and practical facilitation of integrated care.”

Introduction

This motivational/competency question gauges intrinsic motivation, cultural fit, ethical orientation, and commitment to working within Singapore's healthcare and community systems—important for retention and effective client relationships.

How to answer

• Articulate personal motivation with specific experiences (e.g., prior clinical work, personal connection, volunteer experience) rather than generic statements.
• Connect your values—empathy, nonjudgmental care, recovery orientation—to the demands of addiction counseling.
• Reference relevant training, certifications (e.g., counselling diploma, addiction-specific courses), and experience in Singapore or similar cultural contexts.
• Explain understanding of local challenges (stigma, family dynamics, legal framework) and how you’ll address them.
• Show long-term commitment: professional development plans, intention to collaborate with local agencies (IMH, NAMS, community NGOs), and ethical practice.

What not to say

• Focusing solely on external benefits (salary, schedule) without discussing client-centred motivations.
• Providing vague or generic motivations such as 'I like helping people' without concrete examples.
• Demonstrating lack of awareness of Singapore-specific issues like stigma or legal considerations.
• Claiming expertise beyond your qualifications or minimizing the need for supervision and continued learning.

Example answer

“I’m drawn to addiction counselling because of a strong commitment to supporting people through recovery and addressing barriers that often keep them from accessing care. In Singapore, I’ve volunteered with a community outreach programme that supports families affected by addiction; that experience taught me the importance of culturally sensitive approaches—engaging families, addressing shame, and working within tight social networks. I hold a diploma in counselling plus a short course in substance-use interventions, and I regularly attend supervision to strengthen my practice. My values—respect, collaboration, and trauma-informed care—align with the recovery-oriented services at agencies like NAMS and community NGOs. I’m committed to ongoing training (e.g., motivational interviewing, CBT for substance use) and to building long-term partnerships with healthcare and social services to help clients sustain recovery in Singapore’s social context.”

Introduction

Senior addiction counsellors in Australia frequently work with clients who have co-occurring disorders. This question assesses clinical decision-making, interdisciplinary coordination, and ability to adapt treatment when clients plateau—critical for improving outcomes and reducing risk.

How to answer

• Use the STAR framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response.
• Start by briefly describing the client's presenting issues, relevant social determinants (housing, employment, legal), and any cultural considerations (e.g., Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status).
• Explain why progress had stalled—assessment findings, medication issues, engagement barriers, or service gaps.
• Describe specific adaptations to the treatment plan: revised goals, evidence-based modalities (CBT, MI, trauma-informed care), psychopharmacology liaison, or stepped care options.
• Detail coordination with other professionals: GPs, psychiatrists, AOD withdrawal services, community health, housing services, and family where appropriate.
• Explain how you monitored outcomes (standardised tools like AUDIT, K10, treatment plans), and the measurable impact of your changes.
• Reflect on what you learned and how it improved your practice or service protocols.

What not to say

• Focusing only on the client’s symptoms without discussing system-level factors or team coordination.
• Claiming sole credit and omitting the roles of other professionals.
• Describing vague or non-evidence-based interventions without justification.
• Ignoring cultural safety, consent, or confidentiality issues relevant in the Australian context.

Example answer

“At a community health service in Melbourne, I worked with a 38-year-old client with alcohol dependence and untreated PTSD who had repeatedly disengaged. After reassessment I identified sleep disturbance and undiagnosed major depression as drivers of relapse. I convened a case conference with the client’s GP and a consulting psychiatrist to discuss SSRI options and referred the client to a trauma-informed CBT group. I also connected them with a housing support worker because unstable housing was increasing risk. I adjusted our counselling sessions to include motivational interviewing focused on small, achievable goals and used the AUDIT and K10 to track progress monthly. Within three months the client reported reduced drinking days, improved mood scores, and maintained engagement. The experience reinforced early liaison with primary care and addressing social determinants as core parts of treatment.”

Introduction

As a senior counsellor you may lead service improvements and mentor junior staff. This question evaluates leadership, project management, and ability to implement changes that improve client engagement and retention—key performance areas for Australian AOD services.

How to answer

• Open with the context: the service setting (e.g., NGO, outpatient clinic), the retention problem, and stakeholders involved.
• Describe your role and why you were positioned to lead the change.
• Explain the steps you took: needs analysis, evidence review, stakeholder engagement (clients, staff, funders), pilot design, training and supervision for staff, and implementation timeline.
• Mention data collection and how you measured impact (attendance rates, dropout reasons, client feedback, KPIs used by Australian services).
• Share concrete results, timelines, and any sustainment actions (protocols, supervision changes).
• Reflect on leadership lessons and how you supported staff through change.

What not to say

• Saying you made changes without consulting staff or clients.
• Focusing only on ideas without showing measurable outcome.
• Ignoring compliance, funding, or accreditation considerations relevant in Australia.
• Presenting an overly top-down approach without acknowledging team input.

Example answer

“Working at a regional NSW outpatient AOD service, we had a 35% dropout within six weeks. I led a small working group of clinicians, admin staff and two client representatives to investigate. We used exit interviews and appointment data to identify barriers: appointment times, long waitlists and lack of after-hours contact. I piloted a rapid-access intake model where new clients could have an initial 30-minute session within 7 days and introduced SMS reminders and brief telehealth follow-ups. I trained staff in brief intervention techniques and set up weekly supervision to review challenging cases. After three months, retention at eight weeks improved from 65% to 82% and client satisfaction scores increased. We documented the model and secured local health district support to scale it. The project taught me the value of co-design with clients and supporting staff through practical training and supervision.”

Introduction

Cultural safety is essential in Australian addiction services. This situational question assesses cultural competence, trauma-informed care, community engagement, and how you tailor interventions to improve access and trust.

How to answer

• Acknowledge the importance of cultural safety, trust-building and historical context affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Describe steps to create a safe, respectful assessment environment: asking about preferred name, family, kinship, community links, and consent to involve support persons.
• Explain how you would use culturally appropriate assessment tools and adapt communication style (yarning approach, less formal questioning).
• Discuss involving Aboriginal Health Workers, Elders, or community-controlled health organisations early and seeking guided consent for referrals.
• Outline trauma-informed, strengths-based interventions and how you’d negotiate culturally acceptable supports (linking to land-based programs, culturally specific rehab services, or community programs).
• Mention practical adjustments: flexible appointment times, outreach, transport, and confidentiality concerns in small communities.
• Emphasise evaluation: checking in, using client feedback, and adjusting the care plan collaboratively.

What not to say

• Claiming a one-size-fits-all approach or suggesting assimilation into mainstream services without cultural adaptations.
• Minimising the role of community or Aboriginal Health Workers in care.
• Using clinical jargon or enforcing interventions without informed consent and co-design.
• Ignoring the significance of intergenerational trauma and systemic factors.

Example answer

“I would begin by prioritising relationship-building—meeting in a setting the client prefers, using a yarning approach to listen to their story without rushing assessment. I’d ask about their connection to family and community and whether they want an Aboriginal Health Worker or Elder present. I’d contact the local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service with the client’s consent to discuss culturally safe options, such as community-led programs or culturally specific residential services. My care plan would be strengths-based and trauma-informed, offering flexible appointments, outreach, and connection to practical supports (housing, legal aid). Throughout, I’d invite feedback and adjust the plan to ensure it feels safe and respectful. This approach recognises past harms and centres the client’s cultural needs and autonomy.”

Introduction

As a Lead Addiction Counselor in Australia you'll be responsible for clinical leadership, ensuring high-quality care across the team while coordinating with external services (e.g., GPs, mental health services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations). This question assesses your ability to combine clinical expertise with operational leadership.

How to answer

• Use a clear structure (brief context, your role, actions, results) — STAR is useful.
• Specify the clinical problem or performance gap (e.g., high relapse rates, long waitlists, inconsistent risk assessments).
• Describe leadership actions: caseload allocation, supervision structures, training you introduced, and changes to clinical governance or documentation.
• Explain stakeholder engagement: referral pathways with local services, liaising with GPs, working with culturally-specific services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients if relevant.
• Quantify impact where possible (reduced waitlist time, improved retention, fewer adverse incidents) and note how you measured outcomes.
• Reflect on lessons learned and how you embedded continuous improvement (audits, staff feedback, clinical supervision).

What not to say

• Taking sole credit without acknowledging the multidisciplinary team.
• Focusing only on administrative steps without linking to clinical outcomes.
• Claiming you fixed systemic issues without describing measurable results or follow-up.
• Ignoring cultural safety or external stakeholder coordination in an Australian context.

Example answer

“At a community AOD service in Melbourne, we had rising no-show rates and inconsistent relapse prevention planning across five clinicians. As lead counselor I implemented weekly clinical supervision, introduced a standard relapse-prevention template aligned with evidence-based CBT and MET approaches, and rebalanced caseloads to match clinician expertise. I established a referral pathway with a local GP clinic and a culturally appropriate Aboriginal health service to improve access. Within six months average attendance improved by 30% and documented relapse-prevention plans rose from 40% to 90%. We also scheduled quarterly audits to sustain improvements.”

Introduction

Clients frequently present with co-occurring mental health issues and suicide risk. This question evaluates your clinical risk assessment skills, knowledge of evidence-based interventions, crisis management, and ability to coordinate care with emergency and mental health services in Australia.

How to answer

• Begin by outlining an immediate safety/risk assessment process (suicidal intent, plans, means, protective factors).
• Describe how you would stabilise risk: safety planning, removing access to means, involving supports, and when to escalate to emergency/crisis services or inpatient care.
• Explain clinical interventions you would use concurrently (brief motivational interviewing, harm minimisation, referral to psychiatrists, initiation of evidence-based therapies such as CBT for depression and integrated treatment for substance use).
• Mention relevant Australian referral pathways and crisis contacts (e.g., local mental health triage, Lifeline 13 11 14, headspace for younger clients) and legal/ethical considerations (duty of care, consent, mandatory reporting if applicable).
• Describe documentation, follow-up plans, and how you would involve family/supports with consent.
• If dual-diagnosis, explain working with multidisciplinary teams and medication review with prescribing clinicians where appropriate.

What not to say

• Minimising suicide risk or implying you'd wait to see if risk decreases without active planning.
• Over-relying only on counselling techniques without addressing immediate safety or medical escalation when needed.
• Failing to reference local Australian crisis resources, legal duties, or cultural considerations for First Nations clients.
• Using technical jargon without showing how you'd communicate clearly with the client and carers.

Example answer

“I would start with an immediate, structured risk assessment (suicidal thoughts, intent, plan, means, protective factors). If there is imminent risk, I'd initiate emergency escalation — contact mental health triage or ambulance and ensure the client is not left alone. Simultaneously I'd implement a safety plan, involve nominated supports with consent, and remove immediate means where possible. For ongoing care, I'd arrange a coordinated plan with a psychiatrist for medication review and schedule frequent follow-ups using integrated approaches: CBT for depression, motivational interviewing and contingency planning for substance use, and harm-minimisation strategies. I'd document everything clearly and follow mandatory duty-of-care and confidentiality requirements. I would also consider culturally appropriate services and, if the client is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, consult with local Aboriginal Health services to ensure cultural safety.”

Introduction

Lead counselors need to manage staff wellbeing, retain experienced clinicians, and maintain service quality. This situational question assesses your supervisory approach, empathy, ability to reduce stigma, and capability to implement practical workplace supports.

How to answer

• Start with a one-on-one meeting in a confidential, non-confrontational way to express concern and invite their perspective.
• Use active listening and normalise help-seeking — acknowledge the prevalence of burnout in AOD services and remove stigma.
• Discuss practical supports: temporary caseload reduction, flexible hours, clinical supervision, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), or referral to external counselling/GP/psychiatry as needed.
• Outline how you would monitor performance and wellbeing with agreed follow-up checkpoints and measurable, time-bound goals.
• Describe how you'd balance support for the individual with service continuity (backfill, peer support, redistributing urgent tasks).
• Mention promoting team-level resilience: training on vicarious trauma, regular debriefs, and creating a culture where asking for help is encouraged.
• If the clinician refuses support and risk to clients emerges, explain escalation steps (formal performance management while offering supports).

What not to say

• Ignoring the clinician's feelings or immediately moving to punitive performance management without offering support.
• Dismissing burnout as a personal weakness or suggesting they should ‘tough it out’.
• Breaching confidentiality by discussing the situation broadly with the team without consent.
• Failing to have a plan for client safety if the clinician’s performance continues to decline.

Example answer

“I would arrange a private conversation, expressing concern and asking open questions about their workload and wellbeing. I’d normalise the experience—acknowledging how common burnout is in AOD work—and suggest practical options: a temporary reduced caseload, structured clinical supervision twice weekly, access to the organisation’s EAP, and linkage to a GP for medical support. We’d agree measurable short-term goals (e.g., caseload reduced by 20% for four weeks, weekly check-ins) and set a review date. To protect clients, I’d arrange backfill for urgent appointments and communicate (confidentially) with team leads about coverage. If they declined all help and client safety became a concern, I’d move to formal performance planning while continuing to offer supports. I also promote team interventions—regular debriefs and training on vicarious trauma—to reduce stigma across the service.”

Introduction

As a Clinical Supervisor in addiction services (CSAPA/CAARUD) in France, you'll regularly mediate disagreements between multidisciplinary staff (psychologists, nurses, social workers, addiction counselors) where clinical, ethical and organizational perspectives clash. This question evaluates your leadership, conflict-resolution skills, and ability to maintain client-centered care under system constraints.

How to answer

• Use the STAR structure (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to organize your response.
• Start by briefly describing the clinical complexity (e.g., polysubstance use, dual diagnosis, social vulnerability) and why the disagreement mattered for client safety or continuity of care.
• Clarify your role and responsibilities as supervisor (e.g., clinical oversight, ensuring evidence-based care, liaising with referring services).
• Explain the steps you took to gather perspectives and clinical data (case review, medication records, risk assessment, consultation with psychiatry), and how you ensured each voice was heard.
• Describe how you applied clinical guidelines (e.g., HAS recommendations, harm-reduction principles) and local protocols (CPOM, coordination with hospital psychiatry or mobile teams) to reach a resolution.
• Mention outcomes with measurable or observable impact (treatment adherence, reduced risk behaviors, improved team collaboration) and any follow-up supervision or protocol changes you implemented.
• Reflect on lessons learned about team dynamics, supervision strategies, and how you would handle similar conflicts going forward.

What not to say

• Taking sole credit for the solution without acknowledging team input.
• Focusing only on interpersonal issues and ignoring client safety or clinical evidence.
• Saying you avoided intervention or deferred indefinitely to higher management.
• Describing punitive or dismissive actions toward staff rather than constructive remediation.

Example answer

“At a CSAPA in Lyon, two clinicians disagreed about whether a client with heroin and alcohol dependence and unstable bipolar disorder should be referred for immediate inpatient detox or start an outpatient opioid substitution treatment (OST) while stabilizing mood with community psychiatry support. As supervisor I convened a rapid multidisciplinary case review, obtained recent hospital discharge summaries and toxicology results, and contacted the coordinating psychiatrist. I facilitated a meeting where each clinician presented risks and rationales. Using HAS guidelines and harm-reduction principles, we agreed on a short inpatient stabilization for alcohol withdrawal risk, followed by initiation of OST and an outpatient psychiatric follow-up plan. I documented the decision, arranged a joint handover, and scheduled reflective group supervision to discuss boundary-setting and shared decision-making. The client completed stabilization and engaged with OST; team feedback afterwards noted improved communication and clearer role expectations.”

Introduction

Risk assessment is a core clinical and supervisory task in addiction services. This question probes your clinical competence in assessing acute risks (overdose, withdrawal, suicide), ability to create pragmatic safety and continuity-of-care plans, and knowledge of French resources (emergency services, mobile outreach, housing support).

How to answer

• Outline the immediate priorities: assess medical risk (withdrawal, overdose), suicidal intent/plan, and acute social risks (homelessness exposure).
• Detail specific assessment elements: substance use history, quantity/frequency, last use, co-ingestants, prior withdrawals/overdoses, psychiatric history, medications, social supports and legal status.
• Explain how you'd use validated tools where appropriate (e.g., C-SSRS for suicide risk) and involve medical evaluation for dangerous withdrawals (alcohol, benzodiazepines).
• Describe immediate safety steps: arranging urgent medical care or hospital admission if needed, naloxone provision if opioid risk present, supervised medication strategies, and a concrete safety plan for suicidal ideation (crisis numbers, who to contact, removal of means).
• Include coordination actions: contacting mobile outreach teams, CAARUD harm-reduction services, psychiatry liaison, social services for emergency housing (SAMU social, 115), and documenting the plan.
• Address legal/ethical considerations in France (capacity, consent, mandatory reporting only where applicable), and follow-up supervision to review staff decisions and client outcomes.

What not to say

• Giving only generalities without concrete steps or local resource knowledge.
• Underestimating suicide risk or minimizing need for urgent medical assessment for benzodiazepine withdrawal.
• Proposing solutions that ignore consent and the client's autonomy.
• Failing to mention coordination with medical and social services available in France.

Example answer

“I would first assess immediate medical risk: last benzodiazepine consumption, dose, signs of withdrawal, and any co-ingested alcohol or opioids. I would screen suicidal ideation with a structured tool (C-SSRS), clarifying intent and plan. Given active suicidal thoughts plus benzodiazepine misuse, I'd arrange urgent medical evaluation—either hospital admission or psychiatric emergency depending on presentation—to manage withdrawal safely and evaluate suicidality. Simultaneously, I'd provide harm-reduction measures (distribute naloxone if opioids risk present, discuss safer use), and contact the local CAARUD or mobile harm-reduction unit to engage the client. For housing risk, I'd contact SAMU social/115 and the team's social worker to seek emergency accommodation. I would document the safety plan, ensure short-interval follow-up within 24–48 hours, and discuss the case in supervision to support staff and review care coordination. This approach balances immediate risk management, harm reduction, and linkage to social supports.”

Introduction

Clinical supervisors must sustain team resilience and service quality. In addiction work, high emotional burden and systemic stressors (limited beds, complex social needs) increase risk of burnout. This question examines your competency in staff wellbeing, supervision design, and organisational advocacy.

How to answer

• Begin by acknowledging common drivers of burnout in addiction services (emotional load, administrative burden, shift work, limited resources).
• Present a multi-layered approach: individual, supervisory, and organisational interventions.
• On the individual level, describe reflective supervision, regular caseload reviews, access to clinical consultation, and training in self-care and trauma-informed practice.
• On the supervisory level, explain setting up structured group supervisions, debriefing protocols after critical incidents, rotating high-intensity assignments and protected time for documentation and professional development.
• On the organisational level, describe advocating for reasonable caseloads in CPOM negotiations, proposing workflow changes to reduce administrative burden, and connecting staff to occupational health and EAP services.
• Include measurable indicators you would monitor (staff turnover, sick leave, burnout screening scores) and how you'd evaluate the impact of interventions.
• Mention culturally and legally appropriate practices in France (respecting working-time regulations, coordination with CHSCT/health and safety committees when relevant).

What not to say

• Suggesting staff should simply be more resilient without organisational support.
• Promising quick fixes without monitoring or systemic changes.
• Ignoring legal labour protections in France or failing to involve occupational health when needed.
• Overlooking the need for clinical supervision specific to trauma and addiction.

Example answer

“I would implement a layered plan: weekly reflective group supervision focused on clinical cases and emotional processing, monthly one-to-one supervision with development goals, and a clear critical-incident debrief protocol so staff aren’t left to manage alone after traumatic events. I would work with management to ensure caseload limits aligned with CPOM expectations and request protected administrative time in schedules. Training in trauma-informed approaches and practical self-care strategies would be scheduled quarterly. To address systemic issues, I'd collect anonymous staff feedback and present baseline indicators (sick days, turnover) to the CHSCT and ask for targeted support like temporary staffing or reduced evening shifts for high-burden colleagues. We would monitor changes over six months via a simple burnout screening and satisfaction survey. This combination supports clinicians individually while pushing for structural improvements required in the French healthcare context.”