Ethics for Substance Abuse Counselors

Substance abuse counselors must charge fair prices for their services. A substance abuse
counselor deals with clients during a time of stress and crisis. He adheres to a strict code of
ethics that guides his decisions and behaviors. All nationally certified substance abuse
counselors must sign a code of ethics. State licensing boards also have a separate code of
ethics that is similar. These codes include between nine and 12 principles.

1. Non-discrimination
o Substance abuse counselors must not discriminate against any individual. They
should put aside conflicting professional or personal issues and display
empathy when possible, especially towards those with disabilities.

Client Welfare and Relationships

o Substance abuse counselors must maintain principles of privacy and
confidentiality regarding clients, unless the client poses a danger to herself or
others. Counselors must encourage, not enable. The counselor must provide
appropriate services without consideration of the fees received. Each client has
a right to make informed decisions with an awareness of all the ramifications
the counselor communicates.

Legal and Client Implications

o Substance abuse counselors must respect and obey professional legal
standards, especially those related to state and federal standards. He will not
make implied or false claims as to his abilities or qualifications. If he promotes
products or services, he will ensure within his power that they meet ethical
standards.

Personal and professional obligations create a unique set of duties for the
substance abuse counselor. These include a duty to the community, to society,
and to involvement in the political and educational process to promote the
profession in society for the welfare of all.

Relationships
o Because of the nature of the relationship between a substance abuse counselor
and her client, the potential for self-serving behavior always exists. For this
reason, she must refrain from any professional involvement that could be
construed as a conflict of interest. She may not be involved with former or
current clients personally, socially or for any business reasons, especially
related to any sexual behavior. She shall not accept significant monetary or
material gifts from providers, treatment facilities, or clients.

Preventing Harm
o The substance abuse counselor's goal is to prevent harm to the client, and even
further, to benefit the client. Manipulative behavior is not tolerated. The client
must derive a clear benefit from the counseling relationship or counseling
should be terminated.

Duty of Care
o Clients may hold differing spiritual, moral, or personal view and beliefs from
those of the counselor. Substance abuse counselors should continue education
in the field to upgrade skills and knowledge when interacting with clients.
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Counselor Ethics in Substance Abuse

Treatment
In order to ensure the protection and fair treatment of all under the care of substance abuse
professionals, all U.S. states impose certain standards and ethical principles on the profession
as a whole. Licensed and certified substance abuse professionals agree to a standard of ethical
conduct in order to become licensed and/or certified. They renew the agreement on an annual
basis in order to keep that qualification. Ethical principles apply to all behaviors involved in
treating substance abuse clients within a professional setting.

Objectivity and Nondiscrimination

o Ethical standards insist that a substance abuse professional should remain

objective in her opinions and assumptions related to clients under her care, and
not impose her own beliefs or religious convictions on those whom she treats
for the disease of substance abuse. In addition, according to the NAADAC, an
association for addiction professionals, the substance abuse professional is
expected to not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, age, gender,
disabilities, ethnicity, national origins, sexual orientation, economic condition
or any other aspect of an individual protected under the law.

Educational Standards/Assigning Credit to Others as

Appropriate
o In some form, the NAADAC says, all states expect the substance abuse
professional to recognize the need for continued education in order to
maintain current standards of competence in addiction science and to
adequately treat clients with substance abuse disorders. He is expected to
accept the responsibility of continuously improving his expertise and skills in
treating those who suffer from addictive disease. Most states, such as West
Virginia, mandate that the substance abuse professional should always give
credit to any and all sources used in publishing or in professional presentations.

Moral Codes and Client Welfare

o The substance abuse professional is expected to uphold and support the
expected moral codes of behavior within the field when working in the
capacity of treating addicted individuals, the NAADAC says. He is obligated
to protect the personal welfare and integrity of every person and/or group for
whom he offers services.

Client Confidentiality
o The substance abuse professional is expected to protect the client's privacy by
maintaining the confidentiality of every client record through the safekeeping
of, and refusal to disclose, confidential information acquired through teaching,
practice, research or investigation. Also, the NAADAC says, substance abuse
professionals are expected to insist upon the confidentiality of all records under
their control.

Informed Consent/Practice Only in Area of Expertise

o The substance abuse professional is expected to inform the client of the nature
of services, and of any risks involved, according to the NAADAC Code of
Ethics. The client should know of all situations in which confidentiality is not
protected, such as in cases of suicidal behavior, child abuse or homicidal
threats.

The substance abuse professional should not attempt to offer service or advice
that is beyond his or her level of expertise or knowledge.

Sexual Conduct
o State and national codes of ethics say substance abuse professionals are
expected to avoid any sexual relationship with clients or the client's
significant others. There is naturally an imbalance of power in client/therapist
relationships that causes sexual relationships between counselors and clients to
be ethically inappropriate, the NAADAC says.

Respect Toward Other Professionals, and Clients

o Substance abuse professionals are expected to treat other professionals
with utmost dignity and respect. The NAADC says they are expected to
cooperate with other professionals whenever doing so is in the best interest
of the client served. Counselors and other professionals are expected to avoid
demeaning, intimidating, and otherwise harassing behaviors toward clients,
other professionals, or those over whom they have authority
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