Ace the Chemical Dependency Counselor Exam 2025 – Empower Change and Rock Your Career!

In Johnson's Paradigm, Stage 3 of harmful use is characterized by the presence of negative consequences associated with substance use, yet the individual continues to engage in that behavior despite these adverse effects. This stage underscores a critical phase where the individual experiences issues such as relationship problems, health complications, or legal troubles resulting from substance use. Despite recognizing these negative outcomes, the compulsive nature of substance use leads to continued engagement, highlighting a significant aspect of chemical dependency where denial and rationalization often play a role.

In this context, the other options do not accurately describe Stage 3. The first choice implies a scenario where positive mood changes occur without negative fallout, which does not fit the definition of harmful use. The third choice addresses controlling mood swings, which is more aligned with resilience rather than harmful use. The last option hints at increased tolerance that can lead to dependency, a process but not a defining feature of Stage 3 specifically, which focuses more on the continuation of use in the face of harm.