National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 2 (NCAC II) Practice Exam Exam

What is an important aspect of the enabler's behavior?

1. Encouraging treatment and counseling

2. Providing financial support without question

3. Acknowledging the addiction to others

4. Seeking external help for the family

The correct answer is: Providing financial support without question

The enabler's behavior typically involves providing support that may unintentionally facilitate the continuation of the addiction, which can often manifest as providing financial assistance without imposing limits or conditions. This financial support might allow the individual struggling with addiction to sustain their habits, thereby perpetuating the cycle of dependency. While financial support can sometimes be crucial, when given without any safeguards or accountability, it can hinder the addict's motivation to seek help or change their behavior. This contrasts with healthier behaviors, such as actively encouraging treatment and counseling, which help the individual take responsibility for their recovery. Seeking external help for the family and acknowledging the addiction to others are also constructive approaches that do not align with classic enabler behaviors, which typically focus on covering for or enabling the problematic behaviors of the addicted individual.