Incremented int is resetting at the end of the function - c++

Question

This is the function in question. The variable in question is count1. Prior to return count1; the function appears to reset count1 to either 1 or 2. The result of the final cout line is n lines where n=number of tries including the correct answer. Each line outputs a number that is 1 higher than the line below until count1 = either 1 or 2. I haven't been able to establish a pattern as to which it will finally output.
The questions themselves are simply placeholders.
What on Earth is going on?
Note: I am a very new programmer, and I am aware that there are likely more efficient ways to do what I am doing that I have not learned. I'm open to suggestions, but my understanding of those suggestions will likely be hampered by my unfamiliarity with C++
int q1(int count1) //q1() is always fed a value of 1.
{
using namespace std;
if (count1 <= 3) //User gets 3 tries to answer for full credit.
{ //count1 is returned in order to determine user score.
cout << "What is 2+2 \n"; //problem appears to occur between here and the end of this if statement.
double a1;
cin >> a1;
if (a1 == 4)
{
cout << "Yup. You know what 2+2 is. \n\n";
}
else
{
wrong(); //wrong() is a single line void function using std::cout and nothing else.
q1(++count1);
}
}
else
{
cout << "You have used all three tries. Next question. \n\n";
++count1; //count1 is incremented for an if statement in int main()
}
cout << count1 << "\n"; //This line is strictly for debugging
return count1;
}
Output of the final cout line looks along the lines of this:
5
4
3
2
Without \n
5432
EDIT:
There was an answer below that is deleted for some reason that appeared to resolve my problem.
The answer stated I should replace q1(++count1) with count1 = q1(++count1);
In my mind this shouldn't work, but in practice it seems to work. Why?

Answer 1

When using recursion, the first time your function runs count1 is 1 (as you said). If the user answers right, then your function will return 1, because the value of count1 never changes.
If the user answers wrong, then count1 increases by 1 and gives it's value to a new function (of the same type). Keep in mind that you pass the value of count1, that means the new function (the second q1()) will get the number 2 but will have a new variable count1. They may have the same name, but they are different variables.
There are two ways to solve your problem:
Either by using pointers, this way you pass the address of count1, and each function changes the same variable. (This is the hardest way and not the most efficient) or
Instead of making recursive calls, you can make a while like so:
int q1(int count1)
{
using namespace std;
while (count1 <= 3) //Run as long as user has chances
{
cout << "What is 2+2 \n";
double a1;
cin >> a1;
if (a1 == 4)
{
cout << "Yup. You know what 2+2 is. \n\n";
//Using `break` you stop the running `while` so the next
//step is for the function to return
break;
}
else
{
wrong();
//By incrementing `count1` the next time the `while` runs
//if user ran out of tries it will not enter the loop, so
//it will return `count1` which would most likely be 4
count1++;
}
}
//Here the function is about to return, so you check if user won or lost
if (count1 == 4)
cout << "You have used all three tries. Next question. \n\n";
//Debug
cout << count1 << "\n";
//Return
return count1;
}