Case-Based Practice for ADC Screening and Assessment: Realistic Scenarios to Boost Your Skills

Whether you’re preparing for the ADC (Alcohol and Drug Counselor) exam or building your clinical skills, case-based practice is one of the MOST effective ways to learn. Real-world scenarios help you apply concepts from textbooks and training into practical decision-making skills that reflect actual client interactions. This blog post offers several case-based examples designed to enhance your screening and assessment abilities.

Why Case-Based Practice Matters

Screening and assessment are foundational skills in addiction counseling. Your ability to identify potential substance use issues and assess their severity is essential for accurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and ongoing care.

Case-based learning:

  • Mimics real clinical experiences
  • Reinforces evidence-based assessment tools
  • Prepares you for scenario-based exam questions
  • Encourages critical thinking and decision-making

ADC Screening and Assessment Case 1: Initial Screening

Client: James, a 32-year-old male referred by his employer after absenteeism and poor job performance.

Presenting Issues: Irritability, fatigue, occasional alcohol use (reported).

Your Task:

  • Determine what screening tool(s) you’d use.
  • Identify any red flags for substance use disorder.
  • Decide on next steps in assessment or referral.

Reflection: Would a tool like the AUDIT or CAGE be appropriate here? What are the implications of workplace referral?

ADC Screening and Assessment Case 2: Full Assessment

Client: Maria, a 25-year-old female self-referred after a recent DUI arrest.

Presenting Issues: Admits to weekend binge drinking, denies physical dependence. Reports anxiety.

Your Task:

  • Choose appropriate biopsychosocial assessment tools.
  • Consider co-occurring disorders.
  • Formulate preliminary treatment recommendations.

Reflection: How would you explore underlying mental health conditions that may influence substance use?

ADC Screening and Assessment Case 3: Family Involvement in Assessment

Client: Tom, a 19-year-old brought in by his parents.

Presenting Issues: Increased isolation, poor academic performance, reports of cannabis use.

Your Task:

  • Consider how to include family in the assessment process.
  • Explore confidentiality issues.
  • Identify next steps for youth-specific treatment needs.

Reflection: How do adolescent assessments differ from adult assessments?

Tips for Effective Screening and Assessment for ADC Test Prep

  • Always use validated tools suited for the population and setting.
  • Screen for co-occurring mental health issues early.
  • Practice cultural humility—understand the client’s background and values.
  • Use open-ended questions to build rapport and gather nuanced information.

Practicing with ADC case examples like these can help you feel more prepared, whether you’re headed into the ADC exam or stepping into a clinical setting. Each case gives you a chance to analyze symptoms, apply your knowledge of assessment tools, and decide on next steps, just like you would on the job.

Build Your Confidence with ADC Case Examples

Looking for more case-based learning? Check out Pocket Prep’s Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) test prep for hundreds of practice questions, personalized study plans, and feedback backed by learning science.