17 Recovery Support Specialist Interview Questions and Answers

In the United States, 20 million people suffer from a substance use disorder, and only 10% of them receive treatment. If you’re passionate about helping people suffering from addiction, a career as a recovery support specialist may be a good fit for you.

Recovery support specialists provide guidance and support to people in addiction recovery. They work in a variety of settings, including outpatient treatment centers, sober living homes, and 12-step programs. No matter where you work, you’ll need to be able to answer recovery support specialist interview questions about your experience, education, and skills.

We’ve compiled a list of common recovery support specialist interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your next job interview.

Are you comfortable working with people who have mental health or substance abuse issues?

This question can help interviewers determine if you have the right personality and skills to work in this role. They may also want to know how much experience you have working with these types of clients. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation or client that helped you develop your skills.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with people who have mental health or substance abuse issues. In my last position, I worked with many clients who had these concerns. One of my favorite parts of the job was helping them find resources and support groups for their needs. It’s important to me that everyone feels safe and supported when they’re receiving care.”

What are some of the most important skills for a recovery support specialist to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important skills for a recovery support specialist and explain why they are so important.

Example: “The two most important skills I think a recovery support specialist should have are empathy and patience. These skills allow me to better understand my clients’ situations and provide them with the best possible care. For example, when I was working as a case manager at a rehab center, one of my clients had just lost her job due to missing work while she was in treatment. She was worried about how she would pay her bills without her income. I listened to her concerns and explained that we could help her find resources to cover her expenses until she found another job.”

How would you handle a situation where a client is not complying with the treatment program?

Recovery support specialists must be able to motivate clients and encourage them to follow the treatment program. Employers ask this question to make sure you have strategies for encouraging clients who are not following their treatment plan. In your answer, explain how you would use your communication skills to help the client understand why they need to comply with the treatment program.

Example: “I would first try to talk to the client about why it’s important that they follow the treatment program. If they still refuse to comply, I would document the incident in the client’s file so my supervisor could address the situation. I would also call the client’s primary care physician to discuss the issue.”

What is your experience working with clients who have addiction issues?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with clients who have addiction issues and how you handled those situations. Use examples from past experiences to highlight your skills, such as empathy, communication and problem-solving abilities.

Example: “In my previous role, I worked with a client who had an alcohol addiction. He was in his mid-twenties and would often miss work because of his addiction. We met regularly to discuss his progress and he eventually got sober. He is now working at a local restaurant and has been sober for over two years.”

Provide an example of a time when you helped a client develop a plan to overcome an obstacle in their recovery.

The interviewer may ask you a question like this one to learn more about your counseling skills and how you help clients overcome challenges. Use examples from past experience that show your ability to listen, empathize and develop strategies with your clients.

Example: “When I first started working as a recovery support specialist, I had a client who was struggling with overcoming his addiction to alcohol. He would often miss our appointments because he was intoxicated or hungover. One day, we talked about the importance of showing up for our sessions and how it could help him achieve sobriety. We developed a plan where he would call me if he ever felt tempted to drink again. If he called, I would come over immediately and spend time with him until he felt better. After a few weeks, he stopped calling and hasn’t relapsed since.”

If a client is feeling overwhelmed, what strategies would you use to help them relax and regain their focus?

This question can help interviewers understand how you might support clients who are experiencing a mental health crisis. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you helped a client overcome feelings of anxiety or depression and return to their normal routine.

Example: “When working with clients who are feeling overwhelmed, I try to first listen carefully to what they’re saying and ask questions if I don’t understand something. This helps me learn more about the situation and better understand what my client is going through. Then, I’ll offer them some strategies that have worked for other clients in the past. For example, I once had a client who was feeling overwhelmed by work stress. We talked about ways he could reduce his stress levels at work, such as taking short breaks throughout the day and practicing mindfulness techniques.”

What would you do if you noticed a fellow support specialist was having a negative impact on a client’s recovery?

Recovery support specialists often work with clients who are in the process of overcoming addiction or mental health issues. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand that your actions can have a significant impact on others and how important it is to be professional at all times. In your answer, explain that you would talk to the specialist about their behavior and help them improve.

Example: “I believe that recovery is a lifelong journey. I also know that sometimes people fall off track. If I noticed one of my colleagues was having a negative impact on a client’s recovery, I would first approach them privately to discuss my concerns. I would try to give them as much time as they needed to reflect on their behavior and change their ways. If they were unwilling to change, I would report them to management so they could take appropriate action.”

How well do you handle conflict?

Recovery support specialists often work with clients who are experiencing challenging situations. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to resolve conflicts in a productive way. In your answer, explain how you would handle conflict resolution in this role. Share an example of a time when you resolved a conflict successfully.

Example: “I think it’s important to be empathetic and understanding when working with people going through difficult times. I try to listen carefully to what my clients say and respond in a calm manner. If someone is upset or angry, I take a deep breath and pause before responding. This helps me collect my thoughts so that I can respond thoughtfully.

In my previous role as a recovery support specialist, I had a client who was very anxious about her upcoming surgery. She wanted to know exactly what to expect during her procedure. I listened closely to her concerns and explained the process thoroughly. After our conversation, she felt more confident about her upcoming surgery.”

Do you have any experience facilitating group therapy sessions?

Group therapy is a common practice in the recovery support specialist field. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with group therapy and understand how it works. Use your answer to explain that you’ve participated in group therapy before, but also highlight any specific skills or experiences you have that would help you succeed as a recovery support specialist.

Example: “I’ve never led a group therapy session myself, but I have participated in several throughout my career. In one of my previous jobs, I was part of a small group who met once a week to discuss our progress and challenges. It was helpful for me to hear other people’s stories and learn from their experiences. I think having that kind of support system can be beneficial for anyone going through treatment.”

When working one-on-one with a client, what is the typical format of your sessions?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your counseling style and how you interact with clients. Your answer should include a few details about the format of your sessions, such as what you typically discuss during each session and how long they last.

Example: “I usually meet with my clients once per week for an hour-long session. During our meetings, I like to start by asking them how their week was and if anything new has happened in their lives since we last spoke. Then, I’ll ask them what goals they have set for themselves that week and help them come up with strategies to achieve those goals. We will also spend some time reviewing their previous week’s progress.”

We want to promote a supportive and non-judgmental culture among our recovery support specialists. How would you describe our company culture so that new employees can quickly adjust to it?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to fit into the company culture and promote it to new employees. In your answer, try to describe the values of the organization and how they relate to the job you’re applying for.

Example: “I’ve noticed that everyone here is very friendly and open-minded. I think this is a great quality in an employee because it means we can support our clients no matter what their background or situation is. For example, when I was interviewing with the client services team, one specialist told me about how she helped a client who had been struggling with addiction for many years. She said that he was nervous about coming to treatment but that she made him feel comfortable and welcome.”

Describe your process for documenting your interactions with clients.

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you organize your work and prioritize tasks. Use your answer to describe the steps you take when documenting interactions with clients, including any specific tools or applications you use for note-taking.

Example: “I always start my documentation by recording a client’s name, diagnosis and treatment plan. I then document each interaction I have with them, including phone calls, emails and in-person meetings. For every interaction, I record what we discussed, who was present during our conversation and any notes I took about their progress. I also include any important dates, such as due dates for treatment plans or appointments.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this recovery support specialist position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their organization. Before your interview, make a list of reasons why you are the best candidate for this role. Consider highlighting any relevant experience or skills that align with what the employer is looking for.

Example: “I am an ideal candidate for this recovery support specialist position because I have extensive knowledge on addiction treatment methods. Throughout my career as a counselor, I’ve worked with many clients who were struggling with substance abuse. I know how to help them overcome these issues by providing them with effective counseling techniques. In addition, I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me a great fit for this role.”

Which treatment programs have you worked with in the past?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level and how you might fit into their organization. If you have worked with a specific program before, share what you liked about it and why you think it’s effective. If you haven’t worked with any programs in particular, consider sharing which ones you’ve heard good things about or which ones you would be interested in learning more about.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different treatment programs throughout my career, but I find that cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective methods for helping patients overcome addiction. It helps them learn to identify negative thought patterns and replace them with positive ones so they can develop healthier habits.”

What do you think is the most important thing that recovery support specialists can do to help their clients?

This question can help interviewers understand your values and how you approach your work. Your answer should reflect the skills, knowledge and experience that make you a good recovery support specialist.

Example: “I think the most important thing recovery specialists can do is listen to their clients. Recovery is an ongoing process, so it’s important for specialists to be available when their clients need them. I also think it’s important to provide encouragement and positive feedback to our clients. This can help motivate them to continue working toward their goals.”

How often do you think recovery support specialists should meet with clients?

Recovery support specialists need to meet with clients often enough to ensure they’re making progress toward their goals. Interviewers want to know that you understand the importance of regular meetings and how to schedule them effectively. In your answer, explain how you would plan a client’s schedule of appointments and what factors you would consider when scheduling.

Example: “I think recovery support specialists should meet with clients at least once per week. This allows me to check in on my clients’ progress and make any necessary adjustments to their treatment plans or schedules. I also find that weekly meetings help keep clients motivated because they can see their hard work paying off each week. If a client is struggling, I may increase our meeting frequency to twice per week until they get back on track.”

There is a new treatment program that you’ve never heard of before. How do you research it and learn more about it before meeting with a client?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach new information and apply it to your work. Use examples from previous experiences where you researched a new treatment program or learned about a client’s unique situation.

Example: “I would first look up the treatment program online, including any research articles that were published on the subject. I would then speak with my supervisor or other professionals in the field to learn more about the program and its effectiveness. If the program is something we haven’t used before, I would also ask the client if they are willing to try it out so we can monitor their progress.”