Prepare for the Therapist Development Center Exam 1 with our quiz featuring multiple-choice questions designed to test your knowledge and understanding. Each question is accompanied by hints and explanations to aid your study. Get ready for your exam!

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What should the social worker INITIALLY focus on with a client using prescription opiates following personal loss?

  1. Possible PTSD symptoms associated with military deployment.

  2. Stopping his drug use.

  3. His housing issues.

  4. His grief over the end of his marriage.

The correct answer is: Stopping his drug use.

Initially focusing on stopping the drug use is critical when working with a client using prescription opiates, especially in the context of personal loss. Substance use can often serve as a coping mechanism for emotional distress, including the pain stemming from grief or loss. If the client is actively using opiates, it could impair their ability to process their emotions effectively and engage in therapeutic interventions related to grief, life changes, or other issues. Addressing substance use first helps to ensure the client's immediate well-being and safety while providing a more stable foundation for subsequent discussions about grief and other relevant emotional matters. Without first managing the substance use, any progress in therapy related to grief or other personal issues could be hindered. Therefore, prioritizing the cessation of drug use is an essential step in allowing the client to engage in a more productive therapeutic process that can address the root causes of their distress.