While very few of the Boards associated with Addiction Professionals identify specific legal or ethical requirements for the supervision of addiction professionals, the Ethics Codes of the following boards have been cited in full for the convenience of our students.
NAADAC: The Association for Addiction Professionals
https://www.naadac.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=185&Itemid=115
Principle 1: Non-Discrimination
I shall affirm diversity among colleagues or clients regardless of age gender, sexual orientation, ethnic/racial background, religious/spiritual beliefs, marital status, political beliefs, or mental/physical disability and veteran status.
- I shall strive to treat all individuals with impartiality and objectivity relating to all based solely on their personal merits and mindful of the dignity of all human persons. As such, I shall not impose my personal values on my clients.
- I shall avoid bringing personal or professional issues into the counseling relationship. Through an awareness of the impact of stereotyping and discrimination, I shall guard the individual rights and personal dignity of my clients.
- I shall relate to all clients with empathy and understanding no matter what their diagnosis or personal history.
Principle 2: Client Welfare
I understand that the ability to do good is based on an underlying concern for the well being of others. I shall act for the good of others and exercise respect, sensitivity, and insight. I understand that my primary professional responsibility and loyalty is to the welfare of my clients, and I shall work for the client irrespective of who actually pays his/her fees.
- I shall do everything possible to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of client information except where the client has given specific, written, informed, and limited consent or when the client poses a risk to himself or others.
- I shall provide the client his/her rights regarding confidentiality, in writing, as part of informing the client of any areas likely to affect the client’s confidentiality.
- I understand and support all that will assist clients to a better quality of life, greater freedom, and true independence.
- I shall not do for others what they can readily do for themselves but rather, facilitate and support the doing. Likewise, I shall not insist on doing what I perceive as good without reference to what the client perceives as good and necessary.
- I understand that suffering is unique to a specific individual and not of some generalized or abstract suffering, such as might be found in the understanding of the disorder. I also understand that the action taken to relieve suffering must be uniquely suited to the suffering individual and not simply some universal prescription.
- I shall provide services without regard to the compensation provided by the client or by a third party and shall render equally appropriate services to individuals whether they are paying a reduced fee or a full fee.
Principle 3: Client Relationship
I understand and respect the fundamental human right of all individuals to self-determination and to make decisions that they consider in their own best interest. I shall be open and clear about the nature, extent, probable effectiveness, and cost of those services to allow each individual to make an informed decision of their care.
- I shall provide the client and/or guardian with accurate and complete information regarding the extent of the potential professional relationship, such as the Code of Ethics and professional loyalties and responsibilities.
- I shall inform the client and obtain the client’s participation including the recording of the interview, the use of interview material for training purposes, and/or observation of an interview by another person.
Principle 4: Trustworthiness
I understand that effectiveness in my profession is largely based on the ability to be worthy of trust, and I shall work to the best of my ability to act consistently within the bounds of a known moral universe, to faithfully fulfill the terms of both personal and professional commitments, to safeguard fiduciary relationships consistently, and to speak the truth as it is known to me.
- I shall never misrepresent my credentials or experience.
- I shall make no unsubstantiated claims for the efficacy of the services I provide and make no statements about the nature and course of addictive disorders that have not been verified by scientific inquiry.
- I shall constantly strive for a better understanding of addictive disorders and refuse to accept supposition and prejudice as if it were the truth.
- I understand that ignorance in those matters that should be known does not excuse me from the ethical fault of misinforming others.
- I understand the effect of impairment on professional performance and shall be willing to seek appropriate treatment for myself or for a colleague. I shall support peer assistance programs in this respect.
- I understand that most property in the healing professions is intellectual property and shall not present the ideas or formulations of others as if they were my own. Rather, I shall give appropriate credit to their originators both in written and spoken communication.
- I regard the use of any copyrighted material without permission or the payment of royalty to be theft.
Principle 5: Compliance with Law
I understand that laws and regulations exist for the good ordering of society and for the restraint of harm and evil, and I am aware of those laws and regulations that are relevant both personally and professionally and follow them, while reserving the right to commit civil disobedience.
- I understand that the determination that a law or regulation is unjust is not a matter of preference or opinion but a matter of rational investigation, deliberation, and dispute.
- I willingly accept that there may be a penalty for justified civil disobedience, and I must weigh the personal harm of that penalty against the good done by civil protest.
Principle 6: Rights and Duties
I understand that personal and professional commitments and relationships create a network of rights and corresponding duties. I shall work to the best of my ability to safeguard the natural and consensual rights of each individual and fulfill those duties required of me.
- I understand that justice extends beyond individual relationships to the community and society; therefore, I shall participate in activities that promote the health of my community and profession.
- I shall, to the best of my ability, actively engage in the legislative processes, educational institutions, and the general public to change public policy and legislation to make possible opportunities and choice of service for all human beings of any ethnic or social background whose lives are impaired by alcoholism and drug abuse.
- I understand that the right of confidentiality cannot always be maintained if it serves to protect abuse, neglect, or exploitation of any person or leaves another at risk of bodily harm.
Principle 7: Dual Relationships
I understand that I must seek to nurture and support the development of a relationship of equals rather than to take unfair advantage of individuals who are vulnerable and exploitable.
- I shall not engage in professional relationships or commitments that conflict with family members, friends, close associates, or others whose welfare might be jeopardized by such a dual relationship.
- Because a relationship begins with a power differential, I shall not exploit relationships with current or former clients for personal gain, including social or business relationships.
- I shall not under any circumstances engage in sexual behavior with current or former clients.
- I shall not accept substantial gifts from clients, other treatment organizations, or the providers of materials or services used in my practice.
Principle 8: Preventing Harm
I understand that every decision and action has ethical implication leading either to benefit or harm, and I shall carefully consider whether any of my decisions or actions has the potential to produce harm of a physical, psychological, financial, legal, or spiritual nature before implementing them.
- I shall refrain from using any methods that could be considered coercive such as threats, negative labeling, and attempts to provoke shame or humiliation.
- I shall make no requests of clients that are not necessary as part of the agreed treatment plan.
- I shall terminate a counseling or consulting relationship when it is reasonably clear that the client is not benefiting from the relationship.
- I understand an obligation to protect individuals, institutions, and the profession from harm that might be done by others. Consequently, I am aware that the conduct of another individual is an actual or likely source of harm to clients, colleagues, institutions, or the profession, and that I have an ethical obligation to report such conduct to competent authorities.
Principle 9: Duty of Care
I shall operate under the principle of Duty of Care and shall maintain a working/therapeutic environment in which clients, colleagues, and employees can be safe from the threat of physical, emotional or intellectual harm.
- I respect the right of others to hold spiritual opinions, beliefs, and values different from my own.
- I shall strive for understanding and the establishment of common ground rather than for the ascendancy of one opinion over another.
- I shall maintain competence in the area of my practice through continuing education, constantly improving my knowledge and skills in those approaches most effective with my
- I shall scrupulously avoid practicing in any area outside of my competence.
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The Alabama Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association
https://www.aadaa.us/ethics/
ALABAMA ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE ASSOCIATION CODE OF ETHICS
PREAMBLE
The Certification Board for Addiction Professionals of Alabama provides this Code of Ethics for each of its certified members. Certified Addiction Professionals believe in the dignity and worth of the individual. They are committed to increasing knowledge of human behavior, to the understanding of themselves and others, and to the relief of human suffering. While pursuing these endeavors they make every reasonable effort to protect the welfare of those who seek their services and to protect any subject who may be the object of study. They use their skills only for purposes consistent with these values and do not knowingly permit their misuses by others. While demanding for themselves freedom of inquiry and communication, addiction professionals accept the responsibility this freedom confers: competence; objectivity in the application of skills; and the concern for the best interests of clients, colleagues, and society in general. In the pursuit of these ideals, addiction professionals subscribe to the principles of Ethical Standards, which are presented in this document.
1. RESPONSIBILITY TO CLIENTS:
In their commitment to advancing the welfare of alcohol and drug dependent individuals and their families, addiction professionals value objectivity and integrity. They accept consequences of their work and make every effort to insure that their services are used appropriately. In providing services they maintain the highest standards.
ADDICTION PROFESSIONALS:
1.1 Do not discriminate against or refuse professional service to anyone on the basis of race, religion, natural origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation.
1.2 Avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of their clients and make every effort to avoid dual relationships with clients that would impair professional judgment or increase the risk of exploitation. Examples of such dual relationships include, but are not limited to, business or sexual relationships with clients.
1.3 Do not use their professional relationship with clients to further their own interests.
1.4 Continue therapeutic relationships only so long as it is reasonably clear that clients are benefiting from the relationship. They assist persons in obtaining other therapeutic services if they are unable or unwilling, for appropriate reasons, to see a person who has requested professional help. They do not abandon or neglect clients in treatment without making reasonable arrangements for the continuation of such treatment.
2. CONFIDENTIALITY
Addiction Professionals have a primary obligation to respect the confidentiality of client information. They reveal such information to others only with the written consent of the person or person’s legal representative, except in those unusual circumstances in which not to do so would result in clear danger to the person or to others. Where appropriate, addiction professionals inform clients of the legal limits of confidentiality.
ADDICTION PROFESSIONALS:
2.1 Cannot disclose client confidences to anyone, except: (1) as mandated by law; (2) to prevent a clear and immediate danger to a person or persons; (3) where the addictions professional is a defendant in a civil, criminal or disciplinary action arising from the therapy (in which case client confidences may only be disclosed in the course of the action); or (4) if there is a waiver previously obtained in writing; and then such information may only be revealed in accordance with the terms of the waiver.
2.2 Use clinical materials in teaching, writing, and public presentations only if a written waiver has been received in accordance with paragraph 2.1 (4), of when appropriate steps have been taken to protect client identity.
2.3 Store or dispose of client records in ways that maintain confidentiality.
3. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND INTEGRITY:
The maintenance of high standards of professional competence and integrity are responsibilities shared by all addiction professionals. They recognize the boundaries of competence and the limitations of techniques and only provide services; use techniques, or offer opinions as professionals meeting recognized standards. Throughout their careers, addiction professionals maintain knowledge of professional information related to the services they render.
ADDICTION PROFESSIONALS:
3.1 Accurately represent their competence, education, training, and experience.
3.2 As supervisors, perform duties based on careful preparation so that supervision is accurate, up-to-date and scholarly.
3.3 Recognize the need for obligation to professional growth through continuing education, are open to new procedures, and are sensitive to differences between groups of people and changes in expectations and values over time.
3.4 Should have an understanding of counseling or educational measurement, validation problems, and other test research where they have the responsibility for decisions involving individuals or policies based on test results. Test users should know and understand the literature relevant to the tests used and testing problems with which they deal.
3.5 Do not attempt to diagnose, treat, or advise problems outside the recognized boundaries of their competence.
3.6 Seek appropriate professional assistance for their own personal problems or conflicts that are likely to impair their work performance and their clinical judgment.
3.7 Do not engage in sexual or other harassment of clients, students, employees, supervisees, trainees, or colleagues.
3.8 Are aware that, because of their ability to influence and alter the lives of others, they must experience special care when making public their professional recommendations and opinions through testimony or other public statements.
4. RESPONSIBILITY TO STUDENTS, EMPLOYEES, AND SUPERVISEES:
Addiction Professionals do not exploit the trust and dependency of students and supervisees.
ADDICTION PROFESSIONALS:
4.1 Are cognizant of their potentially influential position with respect to students, employees, and supervisees; avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of such persons; and make every effort to avoid dual relationships that could impair professional judgment or increase the risk of exploitation.
4.2 Do not permit students, employees, or supervisees to perform or to represent themselves as competent to perform professional services beyond their training, level of experience, and competence.
5. RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PROFESSION:
Addiction Professionals act with due regard to the needs and feelings of their colleagues in the field of addictions and other professions. They respect the prerogatives and obligations of the institutions or organizations with which they are associated.
ADDICTION PROFESSIONALS:
5.1 Understand the areas of competence of related professions and make full use of other professional, technical, and administrative resources which best serve the interest of clients.
5.2 Remain accountable to the standards of the profession when acting as members or employees or organizations.
5.3 As writers and researchers: (1) assign publication credit to those who have contributed to a publication in proportion to their contributions; (2) cite appropriately persons to whom credit for original ideas are due; (3) take accurately and factually promoted and advertised; and (4) are adequately informed of and abide by relevant laws and regulations regarding the conduct of research with human participants.
5.4 Recognize a responsibility to participate in activities that contribute to a better community and society, including devoting a portion of their professional activity to services for which there is little or no financial return.
5.5 Are concerned with developing laws and regulations pertaining to the field of addiction that serve the public interest, and with altering such laws and regulations that are not in the public interest. They also encourage public participation in the designing and delivery of services and in the regulation of practitioners.
5.6 Having First-hand knowledge of an ethical violation, should attempt to rectify the situation. Failing an informal solution, addiction professionals should bring such unethical activities to the Certification Board for Addiction Professionals.
6. FEES:
Addiction Professionals charge fee only where they are licensed to do so. In such case they make financial arrangements with client’s that conform to accepted professional practices and that are reasonably understandable.
ADDICTION PROFESSIONALS:
6.1 Do not offer or accept payment referrals.
6.2 Do not charge excessive fees for services.
6.3 Disclose their fee structure to clients at the onset of treatment.
7. ADVERTISING:
Addiction Professionals engage in appropriate informational activities, including those that enable laypersons to choose addiction professionals on an informed basis.
ADDICTION PROFESSIONALS:
7.1 Accurately represent their competence, education, training, and experience relevant to their practice as an addiction professional.
7.2 Claim as evidence of educational qualifications only those degrees from regionally-accredited institutions of from institutions accredited by states which license or certify addictions professionals.
7.3 Assure that advertisements and publications, whether in directories, announcement cards, newspapers, or on radio or television, are formulated to convey information that is necessary for the public to make an appropriate selection.
7.4 Do not use a name which could mislead the public concerning the identity, responsibility, source, and status of those participating under the name and do not represent themselves out as being partners or associates of a firm if they are not.
7.5 Do not use any professional identification (such as a professional card, office sign, letterhead, or telephone or association directory listing), if it includes statement or claim that is false, fraudulent, misleading, or deceptive.
7.6 Correct, wherever possible, false, misleading, or inaccurate information and representations made by others concerning the addictions professional’s qualifications, services, or products.
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Addiction Professionals of North Carolina (APNC)
https://www.apnc.org/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=28
Preamble
Addiction Professionals of North Carolina (APNC) is a professional organization whose members are dedicated to uphold the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of each individual and thus be of maximum service to society. While pursuing these endeavors, members of APNC make every reasonable effort to protect the welfare of those who seek their services and to offer quality, professional care. They use their skills only for purposes consistent with these values and do not knowingly permit their misuse by others. Members of APNC are committed to protect the public against, and will not hesitate to expose, unethical, incompetent, and dishonorable practices.
Addiction Professionals of North Carolina recognizes that the role definitions and work settings of its members include a wide variety of disciplines, levels of academic preparation, and agency services. This diversity reflects the breadth of the organization’s interests and influence. These ethical standards clarify to present and future members and to those served by its members, the nature of ethical responsibilities and the commitment to adherence to these principles embraced by its members. In pursuit of these ideals, this Code of Ethics has been developed.
PRINCIPLE 1. CONFIDENTIALITY
The Addiction Professional must respect the confidentiality of information obtained during the course of teaching, practice, or investigation. The disclosure of information to others is permitted only with the written consent of the client except in those situations in which not to do so would present in a clear danger to the client or to others.
The Addiction Professional:
- Discusses information obtained from the client only for professional purposes and only with persons clearly concerned with the case.
- May disclose information about client(s) in a public forum only when client identifying information is adequately disguised.
- Must make provisions for maintaining confidentiality in the storage and disposal of records.
- Must obtain the client’s written consent when recording an interview and when interviews are being observed by another person.
- Is responsible for assuring that disclosure of client information is in accordance with Federal Confidentiality Regulations. When information is released, a statement shall be clearly indicated on such written information stating that “this information has been disclosed to you from records whose confidentiality is protected by federal law. Federal regulations prohibit you from making further disclosure of it without the specific written consent of the person to whom it pertains, or as otherwise permitted by such regulations.” Federal regulations take precedence over state statutes unless otherwise clearly not prohibited in the federal regulations and/or if state statutes are more strict while not being in conflict with federal regulations.
PRINCIPLE 2. COMPETENCE
The Addiction Professional must recognize that the profession is founded on established standards of competency which promote the best interests of society, the client, and the profession as a whole. The Addiction Professional must recognize the need for continuing education as a means of obtaining and maintaining professional competency by keeping current on scientific and professional information related to the services they render.
The Addiction Professional:
- Must recognize personal boundaries and limitations of professional competencies and not offer services outside these competencies.
- Must recognize the effect of impairment on professional performance and must be willing to seek appropriate treatment for oneself or for a colleague.
- Must recognize that personal problems may interfere with professional effectiveness. Accordingly, the Professional refrains from any relationship where personal problems may lead to inadequate performance and should suspend, terminate, or limit the scope of professional activities if indicated.
- Must only provide services and only use techniques when qualified by training and experience.
- Must accurately represent personal experience, competence, education, and training.
- Must recognize differences between people related to race, age, gender, socioeconomics, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability. When necessary, additional training is obtained in order to assure competent service to such persons.
PRINCIPLE 3. MORAL AND LEGAL STANDARDS
The Addiction Professional’s moral and ethical standards are a personal matter except when these may compromise the fulfillment of professional responsibilities or reduce the public trust in our profession. The Addiction Professional is aware of the possible public impact personal behavior may have on a colleague’s ability to perform professional duties. As teacher, the Addiction Professional is aware of the fact that personal beliefs and values may affect the selection and presentation of instructional materials. As employee or employer, the Addiction Professional does not engage in practices that are inhumane or that lead to illegal or unjustifiable actions such as decisions based on considerations of race, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomics, national origin, or disability in hiring, promotion, or training. The acceptance of employment in an institution implies that the employee is in agreement with the general policies and principles of the organization; therefore, the professional activities of the Addiction Professional are also in accord with the objectives of the employer organization.
The Addiction Professional:
- Must not use employment as a means to recruit clients for private practice.
- Must obey civil and criminal laws and commit no act involving moral turpitude which would bring discredit to the profession; must uphold the legal and accepted moral codes which pertain to professional conduct; when federal, state, or institutional regulations or practices are in conflict with these standards and guidelines, must make known his/her commitment to these standards and work towards the resolution of the conflict.
- Must not claim directly or by implication, professional qualifications/affiliations that are not possessed by the Professional.
- Must not use affiliation with the Addiction Professionals of North Carolina for purposes that are not consistent with the stated purposes of the organization.
- Must not associate with or permit the Professional’s name to be associated with any services, books, or other products in a way that is incorrect or misleading. Promotion of any products or books must be done in a professional and factual manner.
- Must not engage in conduct which involves fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or criminal activity. Must not authenticate any clinical document of which the Professional has not fully reviewed and supported. This behavior is contrary to the standards of the profession, and therefore unethical.
PRINCIPLE 4. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
PRINCIPLE 5. PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Addiction Professional must act with due regard for the needs, competencies, and obligations of colleagues in the chemical dependency field; understand the varied areas of competence; and make full use of all professional, technical, and administrative resources to secure for clients the best resources available, including awareness of such resources within the community.
The Addiction Professional:
- Must be aware of and respect the traditions and practices of other professional and non-professional groups.
- Must treat colleagues with respect, courtesy and fairness, and afford the same courtesy to others.
- Must not condone or engage in sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is defined as deliberate or repeated comments, gestures, or physical contacts of a sexual nature.
- Must not offer professional services to clients in counseling with another Professional except with the knowledge of the other Professional or after the client’s termination of the client’s relationship with the other Professional.
- When aware of an ethical violation by a colleague and it seems appropriate to do so, makes an informal attempt to resolve the issue by bringing the matter to the attention of the colleague. If the misconduct is of a minor nature and appears to be due to a lack of sensitivity, knowledge, or experience, such an informal solution is usually appropriate. If the violation is of a more serious nature, the matter must be brought to the attention of the Ethics Committee that governs the practice of the individual unless constrained by the demands of confidentiality.
- Must promptly cooperate with duly constituted Ethics Committees and supply necessary information.
- Must cooperate with colleagues to promote professional interests and concerns.
PRINCIPLE 6. NON-DISCRIMINATION
The Addiction Professional will not discriminate because of race, age, gender, socioeconomics, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability either in rendering service or employment.
PRINCIPLE 7. CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS
The Addiction Professional’s primary obligation is to respect the integrity and to promote the welfare of the client. The Professional must be responsible for taking reasonable precautions in the group setting to protect individuals from physical and/or psychological trauma resulting from interaction with group; must be aware of the power of intimacy in the Client-Professional relationship; must maintain respect for the client and avoid engaging in any activities which seek to fulfill personal needs at the expense of the client; and must be aware that self-disclosure in the counseling relationship is appropriate only when it benefits the client.
The Addiction Professional:
- Must be aware that personal relationships and sexual conduct, not limited to sexual intercourse between an Addiction Professional and a client, is specifically a violation of the Code of Ethics. No relationships with clients, former clients, supervisees and supervisors which may compromise the client’s or supervises well-being, impair the counselor’s or supervisor’s objectivity and professional judgment, or increase the risk of exploitation shall ever be permitted. This also includes the self-help sponsorship relationship.
- Must guard the individual rights and personal dignity of the client.
PRINCIPLE 8. CLIENT WELFARE
The Addiction Professional protects the welfare and respects the integrity of all people with whom the Professional works. The Addiction Professional is continually aware of personal and professional needs as well as the potentially influential position that exists with clients, students, and subordinates. The Addiction Professional avoids exploiting the trust and dependency of such persons.
The Addiction Professional:
- Must terminate a clinical relationship when it is clear the client is not benefitting from it and must assist the client in locating alternative forms of assistance. In a situation where a client refuses treatment, referral, or recommendations, the Professional must carefully consider the welfare of the client by carefully weighing the benefits of continued treatment of termination and must act in the best interest of the client.
- Must always be concerned primarily with the welfare of the client in the presence of professional conflict.
- Must inform clients of the purpose of an interview, testing, or evaluation and the ways in which information obtained in such sessions will be used before asking the client to reveal personal information or allowing such information to be divulged.
- Must ensure the presence of an appropriate setting for clinical work to protect the client from harm and the Professional from censure.
- Must inform the client of the purpose, goals, techniques, rules of procedure, and limitations that may affect the relationship before or at the time the counseling relationship is entered.
- Must clearly indicate to prospective participants all experimental methods of treatment and adhere to all proper safety precautions.
- Must not enter into a professional relationship with members of one’s own family, intimate friends or close associates, or others whose welfare might be jeopardized by such a dual relationship.
PRINCIPLE 9. SOCIETAL OBLIGATIONS
he Addiction Professional must advocate changes in public policy and legislation to afford opportunity and choice for all persons whose lives are impaired by the disease of chemical dependency; must inform the public through active civic and professional participation in community affairs of the effects of chemical dependency; guarantee to make the effort that all persons, especially the disadvantaged, have access to the necessary resources and services; and adopt a personal and professional stance which promotes the well-being of all human beings.
PRINCIPLE 10. RESEARCH AND PUBLICATION
The Addiction Professional’s decision to undertake research rests upon a considered judgment by the Professional regarding how to best contribute to science and human welfare. The Addiction Professional carries out the research with respect and concern for the dignity and welfare of the people who participate and with cognizance of federal and state regulations and professional standards governing the conduct of research with human participants.
The Addiction Professional:
- Must be aware of and responsive to all pertinent ethical principles and ensure that the research problem, design, and execution are in full compliance with them.
- Must assume responsibility for ethical research practice while others involved in the research share ethical obligation and full responsibility for their own actions.
- Must assume responsibility for the subject’s welfare throughout the research and must take all reasonable precautions to avoid causing injurious social, physical, or psychological effects on their subjects.
- Must inform all subjects of the purpose of the study except when withholding information is essential to the investigation. In such research, the Professional must be responsible for corrective action as soon as possible following the research.
- When reporting research results, explicit mention must be made of all variables and conditions known to the investigator that might effect the outcome of the investigation or the interpretation of the results.
- Must be responsible for conducting and reporting investigations in a manner that minimizes the possibility that results will be misleading.
- Must give due credit to those who have contributed significantly to the research and/or publication, in accordance with such contributions.
- Must communicate to other Professionals the results of any research judged to be of professional or scientific value. Results reflecting unfavorably on institutions, programs, services, or vested interests must not be withheld for such reasons.
- Must not submit the same manuscript or one essentially similar in content, for simultaneous publication consideration by two or more journals. In addition, manuscripts published in whole or substantial part, in another journal or publication should not be submitted for publication without acknowledgment and permission from the previous publication.
PRINCIPLE 11. REMUNERATION
The Addiction Professional must establish financial arrangements in professional practice and in accord with the professional standards that safeguard the best interests of the client, the Professional, and the profession.
The Addiction Professional:
- Must neither accept nor give commissions, rebates, or other forms of remuneration for referral of clients for professional services.
- Must not engage in improper direct solicitation of clients and must announce professional services fairly and accurately in a manner which will aid the public in making their own informed judgments, opinions, and choices and which avoids fraud and misrepresentation through sensationalism, exaggeration, or superficiality.
- In clinical or counseling practice, must not use the relationship with the client to promote personal gain or the profit of an agency or commercial enterprise of any kind.
- Must consider carefully the ability of the client to meet the financial cost in establishing rates for professional services.
- Must not accept a private fee or any other gift or gratuity for professional work with a person who is entitled to such services through an institution or agency where that Professional is currently employed.
- Must insure that communications about offered services are not deceptive.
- Must fully disclose the cost of services prior to the delivery of services.
- Must not engage in any behavior which may be construed as exploitation of facilities or clients for personal gain.
PRINCIPLE 12. ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION
The Addiction Professional recognizes the need to be familiar with a range of abuse and addiction related appraisal techniques, their value and limitations. Test results constitute only one of a variety of pertinent sources of information for clinical decisions.
The Addiction Professional:
- Must provide specific orientation or information to the client before/after administration of testing so that testing may be placed in the proper perspective.
- Must recognize the limits of personal competence and perform only those functions for which the Professional is prepared. Different tests demand different levels of competence for administration, scoring, and interpretation.
- Must consider the appropriateness, validity, and reliability of any test administered to a client.
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The Addiction Counselor Certification Board of Oregon (ACCBO)
https://www.accbo.com/ethics.php
ETHICAL STANDARDS OF ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE COUNSELORS
Addiction Counselor Certification Board of Oregon
The Addiction Counselor Certification Board of Oregon certified counselors are comprised of professional alcoholism and drug abuse counselors who, as responsible health care professionals, believe in the dignity and worth of human beings. In the practice of their profession they assert that the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence and justice must guide their professional conduct. As professionals dedicated to the treatment of alcohol and drug dependent clients and their families, they believe that they can effectively treat its individual and familial manifestations. ACCBO certified counselors dedicate themselves to promote the best interests of their society, of their clients, of their profession and of their colleagues.
Principle 1: Non-Discrimination
The ACCBO certified counselor shall not discriminate against clients or professionals based on race, religion, age, gender, disability, national ancestry, sexual orientation or economic condition.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall avoid bringing personal or professional issues into the counseling relationship. Through an awareness of the impact of stereotyping and discrimination, the member guards the individual rights and personal dignity of clients.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall be knowledgeable about disabling conditions, demonstrate empathy and personal emotional comfort in interactions with clients with disabilities, and make available physical, sensory and cognitive accommodations that allow clients with disabilities to receive services.
Principle 2: Responsibility
The ACCBO certified counselor shall espouse objectivity and integrity, and maintain the highest standards in the services the member offers.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall maintain respect for institutional policies and management functions of the agencies and institutions within which the services are being performed, but will take initiative toward improving such policies when it will better serve the interest of the client.
- The ACCBO certified counselor, as educator, has a primary obligation to help others acquire knowledge and skills in dealing with the disease of alcoholism and drug abuse.
- The ACCBO certified counselor who supervises others accepts the obligation to facilitate further professional development of these individuals by providing accurate and current information, timely evaluations and constructive consultation.
- The ACCBO certified counselor who is aware of unethical conduct or of unprofessional modes of practice shall report such inappropriate behavior to the appropriate authority.
Principle 3: Competence
The ACCBO certified counselor shall recognize that the profession is founded on national standards of competency which promote the best interests of society, of the client, of the member and of the profession as a whole. The ACCBO certified counselor shall recognize the need for ongoing education as a component of professional competency.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall recognize boundaries and limitations of the member’s competencies and not offer services or use techniques outside of these professional competencies.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall recognize the effect of impairment on professional performance and shall be willing to seek appropriate treatment for oneself or for a colleague. The member shall support peer assistance programs in this respect.
Principle 4: Legal and Moral Standards
The ACCBO certified counselor shall uphold the legal and accepted moral codes which pertain to professional conduct.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall be fully cognizant of all federal laws and laws of Oregon governing the practice of alcoholism and drug abuse counseling.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall not claim either directly or by implication, professional qualifications/affiliations that the member does not possess.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall ensure that products or services associated with or provided by the member by means of teaching, demonstration, publications or other types of media meet the ethical standards of this code.
Principle 5: Public Statements
The ACCBO certified counselor shall honestly respect the limits of present knowledge in public statements concerning alcoholism and drug abuse.
- The ACCBO certified counselor, in making statements to clients, other professionals, and the general public shall state as fact only those matters which have been empirically validated as fact. All other opinions, speculations, and conjecture concerning the nature of alcoholism and drug abuse, its natural history, its treatment or any other matters which touch on the subject of alcoholism and drug abuse shall be represented as less than scientifically validated.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall acknowledge and accurately report the substantiation and support for statements made concerning the nature of alcoholism and drug abuse, its natural history, and its treatment. Such acknowledgment should extend to the source of the information and reliability of the method by which it was derived.
Principle 6: Publication Credit
The ACCBO certified counselor shall assign credit to all who have contributed to the published material and for the work upon which the publication is based.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall recognize joint authorship and major contributions of a professional nature made by one or more persons to a common project. The author who has made the principal contribution to a publication must be identified as first author.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall acknowledge in footnotes or in an introductory statement minor contributions of a professional nature, extensive clerical or similar assistance and other minor contributions.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall in no way violate the copyright of anyone by reproducing material in any form whatsoever, except in those ways which are allowed under the copyright laws. This involves direct violation of copyright as well as the passive assent to the violation of copyright by others.
Principle 7: Client Welfare
The ACCBO certified counselor shall promote the protection of the public health, safety and welfare and the best interest of the client as a primary guide in determining the conduct of all ACCBO members.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall disclose the member’s code of ethics, professional loyalties and responsibilities to all clients.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall terminate a counseling or consulting relationship when it is reasonably clear to the member that the client is not benefitting from the relationship.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall hold the welfare of the client paramount when making any decisions or recommendations concerning referral, treatment procedures or termination of treatment.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall not use or encourage a client’s participation in any demonstration, research or other non-treatment activities when such participation would have potential harmful consequences for the client or when the client is not fully informed. (See Principle 9)
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall take care to provide services in an environment which will ensure the privacy and safety of the client at all times and ensure the appropriateness of service delivery.
Principle 8: Confidentiality
The ACCBO certified counselor working in the best interest of the client shall embrace, as a primary obligation, the duty of protecting client’s rights under confidentiality and shall not disclose confidential information acquired in teaching, practice or investigation without appropriately executed consent.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall provide the client his/her rights regarding confidentiality, in writing, as part of informing the client in any areas likely to affect the client’s confidentiality. This includes the recording of the clinical interview, the use of material for insurance purposes, the use of material for training or observation by another party.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall make appropriate provisions for the maintenance of confidentiality and the ultimate disposition of confidential records. The member shall ensure that data obtained, including any form of electronic communication, are secured by the available security methodology. Data shall be limited to information that is necessary and appropriate to the services being provided and be accessible only to appropriate personnel.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall adhere to all federal and state laws regarding confidentiality and the member’s responsibility to report clinical information in specific circumstances to the appropriate authorities.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall discuss the information obtained in clinical, consulting, or observational relationships only in the appropriate settings for professional purposes that are in the client’s best interest. Written and oral reports must present only data germane and pursuant to the purpose of evaluation, diagnosis, progress, and compliance. Every effort shall be made to avoid undue invasion of privacy.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall use clinical and other material in teaching and/or writing only when there is no identifying information used about the parties involved.
Principle 9: Client Relationships
It is the responsibility of the ACCBO certified counselor to safeguard the integrity of the counseling relationship and to ensure that the client has reasonable access to effective treatment. The ACCBO certified counselor shall provide the client and/or guardian with accurate and complete information regarding the extent of the potential professional relationship.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall inform the client and obtain the client’s agreement in areas likely to affect the client’s participation including the recording of an interview, the use of interview material for training purposes, and/or observation of an interview by another person.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall not engage in professional relationships or commitments that conflict with family members, friends, close associates, or others whose welfare might be jeopardized by such a dual relationship.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall not exploit relationships with current or former clients for personal gain, including social or business relationships.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall not under any circumstances engage in sexual behavior with current or former clients.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall not accept as clients anyone with whom they have engaged in sexual behavior.
Principle 10: Interprofessional Relationships
The ACCBO certified counselor shall treat colleagues with respect, courtesy, fairness, and good faith and shall afford the same to other professionals.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall refrain from offering professional services to a client in counseling with another professional except with the knowledge of the other professional or after the termination of the client’s relationship with the other professional.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall cooperate with duly constituted professional ethics committees and promptly supply necessary information unless constrained by the demands of confidentiality.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall not in any way exploit relationships with supervisees, employees, students, research participants or volunteers.
Principle 11: Remuneration
The ACCBO certified counselor shall establish financial arrangements in professional practice and in accord with the professional standards that safeguard the best interests of the client first, and then of the counselor, the agency, and the profession.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall inform the client of all financial policies. In circumstances where an agency dictates explicit provisions with its staff for private consultations, clients shall be made fully aware of these policies.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall consider the ability of a client to meet the financial cost in establishing rates for professional services.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall not engage in fee splitting. The member shall not send or receive any commission or rebate or any other form of remuneration for referral of clients for professional services.
- The ACCBO certified counselor, in the practice of counseling ,shall not at any time use one’s relationship with clients for personal gain or for the profit of an agency or any commercial enterprise of any kind.
- The ACCBO certified counselor shall not accept a private fee for professional work with a person who is entitled to such services through an institution or agency unless the client is informed of such services and still requests private services.
Principle 12: Societal Obligations
The ACCBO certified counselor shall to the best of his/her ability actively engage the legislative processes, educational institutions, and the general public to change public policy and legislation to make possible opportunities and choice of service for all human beings of any ethnic or social background whose lives are impaired by alcoholism and drug abuse.
{Adapted from the NAADAC Code of Ethics. Revised April 2000.}
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New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
https://www.oasas.state.ny.us/sqa/credentialing/casac_canon.cfm
CASAC Canon of Ethical Principles
The CASAC must:
- Recognize that the profession is founded on national standards of competence which promote the best interest of society, of the patient, of the counselor and of the profession as a whole.
- Espouse objectivity and integrity; maintain the highest standards in the services offered; respect the values, attitudes and opinions of others; and provide services only in an appropriate professional relationship.
- Not discriminate in work-related activities based on race, religion, age, gender, disabilities, ethnicity, national origins, sexual orientation, economic condition or any other basis proscribed by law.
- Recognize the need for ongoing education to maintain current competence and to improve expertise and skills.
- Uphold the legal and accepted moral codes which pertain to professional conduct.
- Respect the integrity and protect the welfare of the person or group with whom the counselor is working.
- Embrace, as a primary obligation, the duty of protecting the privacy of patients and must not disclose confidential information acquired in teaching, practice, research or investigation and maintain the confidentiality of records they control.
- Inform the prospective patient of the important aspects of the nature of services to be provided and the client/counselor relationship.
- Not engage in any sexual activity with patients or their significant others.
- Treat colleagues and other professionals with respect, courtesy and fairness and cooperate in order to serve the best interests of their patients.
- Not knowingly engage in behavior that is harassing or demeaning, including, but not limited to, sexual harassment.
- Not exploit patients or others over whom they have a position of authority.
- Acknowledge the limits of present knowledge in public statements concerning alcoholism and substance abuse, as well as report fairly and accurately the appropriate information and acknowledge and document materials and techniques used.
- Not participate in the filing of ethics complaints that are frivolous or have a purpose other than to protect the public.
- Assure that financial practices are in accord with professional standards that safeguard the best interests of the patient, the counselor and the profession.
- Strive to inform the public, through civic and professional participation in community affairs, of the effects of alcoholism and substance abuse and adopt a personal and professional stance which promotes the well-being of all human beings.
- Assign credit to all who have contributed to the published material and for the work upon which publication is based.
(Adapted from the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors “Ethical Standards of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors”)
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