Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics

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“We counselors have a lot of power! As authorities on this terrible disease of addiction, let us be careful to never use power for petty or vindictive ends. To never thoughtlessly reject a client. We can affirm our client’s sense of value, or we can damage them with a casual joke or comment at their expense. We can help them to respect themselves, or we can tear down their self-esteem by treating them disrespectfully and unimportant. We have the power to do great good or great harm. Today, let me remember my power and take care to use it wisely.”

- Anonymous

• Taken from May 24, Help for the Helpers, Hazelden Foundation Publishers, 1989

Ethics are generally regarded as the standards that govern the conduct of a person. Smith and Hodges define ethics as a “human reflecting self-consciously on the act of being a moral being. This implies a process of self-reflection and awareness of how to behave as a moral being. Some definitions are dictated by law, individual belief systems, religion, or a mixture of all three.

NAADAC recognizes that its members and certified counselors live and work in many diverse communities. NAADAC has established a set of ethical best-practices that apply to universal ethical deliberation. Further, NAADAC recognizes and encourages the notion that personal and professional ethics cannot be dealt with as separate domains. NAADAC members, addiction professionals, and/or licensed/certified treatment providers (subsequently referred to as addiction professionals) recognize that the ability to do well is based on an underlying concern for the well-being of others. This concern emerges from the recognition that we are all stakeholders in each other's lives - the well-being of each is intimately bound to the well-being of all; that when the happiness of some is purchased by the unhappiness of others, the stage is set for the misery of all. Addiction professionals must act in such a way that they would have no embarrassment if their behavior became a matter of public knowledge and would have no difficulty defending their actions before any competent authority.

The NAADAC Code of Ethics was written to govern the conduct of its members and it is the accepted standard of conduct for addiction professionals certified by the National Certification Commission. The code of ethics reflects the ideals of NAADAC and its members. When an ethics complaint is filed with NAADAC, it is evaluated by consulting the NAADAC Code of Ethics. The NAADAC Code of Ethics is designed as a statement of the values of the profession and as a guide for making clinical decisions. This code is also utilized by state certification boards and educational institutions to evaluate the behavior of addiction professionals and to guide the certification process.

In addition to identifying specific ethical standards, White (1993) suggested consideration of the following when making ethical decisions:

1. Autonomy: To allow others the freedom to choose their own destiny
2. Obedience: The responsibility to observe and obey legal and ethical directives
3. Conscientious Refusal: The responsibility to refuse to carry out directives that are illegal and/or unethical
4. Beneficence: To help others
5. Gratitude: To pass along the good that we receive to others
6. Competence: To possess the necessary skills and knowledge to treat the clientele in a chosen discipline and to remain current with treatment modalities, theories, and techniques
7. Justice: Fair and equal treatment, to treat others in a just manner
8. Stewardship: To use available resources in a judicious and conscientious manner, to give back
9. Honesty and Candor: Tell the truth in all dealing with clients, colleagues, business associates, and the community
10. Fidelity: To be true to your word, keeping promises and commitments
11. Loyalty: The responsibility to not abandon those with whom you work
12. Diligence: To work hard in the chosen profession, to be mindful, careful, and thorough in the services delivered
13. Discretion: Use of good judgment, honoring confidentiality and the privacy of others
14. Self-improvement: To work on professional and personal growth to be the best you can be
15. Non-malfeasance: Do no harm to the interests of the client
16. Restitution: When necessary, make amends to those who have been harmed or injured
17. Self-interest: To protect yourself and your personal interests

The Revised Code of Ethics is divided under major headings and standards. The sections utilized are:

I. The Counseling Relationship

II. Evaluation, Assessment and Interpretation of Client Data

III. Confidentiality/Privileged Communication and Privacy

IV. Professional Responsibility

V. Working in a Culturally Diverse World

VI. Workplace Standards

VII. Supervision and Consultation

VIII. Resolving Ethical Issues

IX. Communication and Published Works

X. Policy and Political Involvement

It is the responsibility of the addiction professional to safeguard the integrity of the counseling relationship and to ensure that the client is provided with services that are most beneficial. The client will be provided access to effective treatment and referral giving consideration to individual educational, legal, and financial resources needs. Addiction professionals also recognize their responsibility to the larger society and any specific legal obligations that may, on limited occasions, supersede loyalty to clients. The addiction professional shall provide the client and/or guardian with accurate and complete information regarding the extent of the potential professional relationship. In all areas of function, the addiction professional is likely to encounter individuals who are vulnerable and exploitable. In such relationships, he/she seeks to nurture and support the development of a relationship of equals rather than to take unfair advantage. In personal relationships, the addiction professional seeks to foster self-sufficiency and healthy self-esteem in others. In relationships with clients, he/she provides only that level and length of care that is necessary and acceptable.

The addiction professional understands that the ability to do good is based on an underlying concern for the well being of others. The addiction professional will act for the good of others and exercise respect, sensitivity, and insight. The addiction professional understands that the primary professional responsibility and loyalty is to the welfare of his or her clients, and will work for the client irrespective of who actually pays his/her fees.

1. The addiction professional understands and supports actions that will assist clients with a better quality of life, greater freedom, and true independence.
2. The addiction professional will support clients in accomplishing what they can readily do for themselves. Likewise, the addiction professional will not insist on pursuing treatment goals without incorporating what the client perceives as good and necessary.
3. The addiction professional understands 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. On that basis, the action taken to relieve suffering must be uniquely suited to the suffering individual and not simply some universal prescription.
4. Services will be provided 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 or are waived from fees.

The addiction professional understands and respects the fundamental human right of all individuals to self-determination and to make decisions that they consider in their own best interest. In that regard, the counselor will be open and clear about the nature, extent, probable effectiveness, and cost of those services to allow each individual to make an informed decision about his or her care. The addiction professional works toward increased competence in all areas of professional functioning; recognizing that at the heart of all roles is an ethical commitment contributing greatly to the well-being and happiness of others. He/she is especially mindful of the need for faithful competence in those relationships that are termed fiduciary - relationships of special trust in which the clients generally do not have the resources to adequately judge competence.

1. The addiction professional will provide the client and/or guardian with accurate and complete information regarding the extent of the potential professional relationship, including the Code of Ethics and documentation regarding professional loyalties and responsibilities.
2. Addiction professionals will provide accurate information about the efficacy of treatment and referral options available to the client.
3. The addiction professional will terminate work with a client when services are no longer required or no longer serve the client’s best interest.
4. The addiction professional will take reasonable steps to avoid abandoning clients who are in need of services. A referral will be made only after careful consideration of all factors to minimize adverse effects.
5. The addiction professional recognizes that there are clients with whom he/she cannot work effectively. In such cases, arrangements for consultation, co-therapy, or referral are made.
6. The addiction professional may terminate services to a client for nonpayment if the financial contractual arrangements have been made clear to the client and if the client does not pose an imminent danger to self or others. The addiction professional will document discussion of the consequences of nonpayment with the client.
7. When an addiction professional must refuse to accept the client due to the inability to pay for services, ethical standards support the addiction professional is attempting to identify other care options. Funding constraints might interfere with this standard.
8. The addiction professional will refer a client to an appropriate resource when the client’s mental, spiritual, physical, or chemical impairment status is beyond the scope of the addiction professional's expertise. The addiction professional will foster self-sufficiency and healthy self-esteem in others. In relationships with clients, students, employees, and supervisors, he/she strives to develop full creative potential and mature, independent functioning.
9. Informed Consent: The addiction professional understands the client’s right to be informed about treatment. Informed consent information will be presented in clear and understandable language that informs the client or guardian of the purpose of the services, risks related to the services, limits of services due to requirements from a third-party payer, relevant costs, reasonable alternatives, and the client’s right to refuse or withdraw consent within the time frames covered by the consent. When serving coerced clients, the addiction professional will provide information about the nature and extent of services, treatment options, and the extent to which the client has the right to refuse services. When services are provided via technology such as a computer, telephone, or web-based counseling, clients are fully informed of the limitations and risks associated with these services. Client questions will be addressed within a reasonable time frame.
10. Clients will be provided with full disclosure including the guarantee of confidentiality if and when they are to receive services by a supervised person in training. The consent to treat will outline the boundaries of the client-supervisee relationship, the supervisee’s training status, and confidentiality issues. Clients will have the option of choosing not to engage in services provided by a trainee as determined by agency policies. Any disclosure forms will provide information about grievance procedures.

1. Because a relationship begins with a power differential, the addiction professional will not exploit relationships with current or former clients, current or former supervisees, or colleagues for personal gain, including social or business relationships.
2. The addiction professional avoids situations that might appear to be or could be interpreted as a conflict of interest. Gifts from clients, other treatment organizations, or the providers of materials or services used in the addiction professional's practice will not be accepted, except when the refusal of such a gift would cause irreparable harm to the client relationship. Gifts of value over $25 will not be accepted under any circumstances.
3. The addiction professional will 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.
4. The addiction professional will not, under any circumstances, engage in sexual behavior with current or former clients.
5. The addiction professional will not accept as clients anyone with whom they have engaged in romantic or sexual relationships.
6. The addiction professional makes no request of clients that do not directly pertain to treatment (giving testimonials about the program or participating in interviews with reporters or students).
7. The addiction professional recognizes that there are situations in which dual relationships are difficult to avoid. Rural areas, small communities, and other situations necessitate a discussion of the counseling relationship and take steps to distinguish the counseling relationship from other interactions.
8. When the addiction professional works for an agency such as the department of corrections, military, an HMO, or as an employee of the client’s employer, the obligations to external individuals and organizations are disclosed prior to delivering any services.
9. The addiction professional recognizes the challenges resulting from the increased role of the criminal justice system in making referrals for addiction treatment. Consequently, he/she strives to remove coercive elements of such referrals as quickly as possible to encourage engagement in the treatment and recovery process.
10. The addiction professional encourages self-sufficiency among clients in making daily choices related to the recovery process and self-care.
11. The addiction professional shall avoid any action that might appear to impose on others’ acceptance of their religious/spiritual, political, or other personal beliefs while also encouraging and supporting participation in recovery support groups.

Much of the work conducted with substance use disorder clients is performed in group settings. Addiction professionals shall take steps to provide the required services while providing clients physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological health and safety.

1. Confidentiality standards are established for each counseling group by involving the addiction professional and the clients in setting confidentiality guidelines.
2. To the extent possible, addiction professionals will match clients to a group in which other clients have similar needs and goals.

The addiction professional understands that every decision and action has ethical implications leading either to benefit or harm, and will carefully consider whether decisions or actions have the potential to produce harm of a physical, psychological, financial, legal, or spiritual nature before implementing them. The addiction professional recognizes that even in a life well-lived, harm may be done to others by thoughtless words and actions, If he/she becomes aware that any word or action has done harm to anyone, he/she readily admits it and does what is possible to repair or ameliorate the harm except where doing so might cause greater harm.

1. The addiction professional counselor will refrain from using any methods that could be considered coercive such as threats, negative labeling, and attempts to provoke shame or humiliation.
2. The addiction professional develops treatment plans as a negotiation with the client, soliciting the client’s input about the identified issues/needs, the goals of treatment, and the means of reaching treatment goals.
3. The addiction professional will make no requests of clients that are not necessary as part of the agreed treatment plan. At the beginning of each session, the client will be informed of the intent of the session. A collaborative effort between the client and the addiction professional will be maintained as much as possible.
4. The addiction professional will terminate the counseling or consulting relationship when it is reasonably clear that the client is not benefiting from the exchange.
5. The addiction professional understands the obligation to protect individuals, institutions, and the profession from harm that might be done by others. Consequently, there is awareness when the conduct of another individual is an actual or likely source of harm to clients, colleagues, institutions, or the profession. The addiction professional will assume an ethical obligation to report such conduct to competent authorities.
6. The addiction professional defers reviewing by a human subjects committee (Institutional Review Board) to ensure that research protocol is free of coercion and that the informed consent process is followed. Confidentiality and deceptive practices are avoided except when such procedures are essential to the research protocol and are approved by the designated review board or committee.
7. When research is conducted, the addiction professional is careful to ensure that compensation to subjects is not as great or attractive as to distort the client’s ability to make free decisions about particip

The addiction professional uses assessment instruments as one component of the counseling/treatment process taking into account the client’s personal and cultural background. The assessment process promotes the well-being of individual clients or groups. Addiction professionals base their recommendations/reports on approved evaluation instruments and procedures. The designated assessment instruments are ones for which reliability has been verified by research.

The addiction professional uses only those assessment instruments for which they have been adequately trained to administer and interpret.

Addiction professionals obtain informed consent documentation prior to conducting the assessment except when such assessment is mandated by governmental or judicial entities and such mandate eliminates the requirement for informed consent.

When the services of an interpreter are required, addiction professionals must obtain informed consent documents and verification of confidentiality from the interpreter and client. Addiction professionals shall respect the client’s right to know the results of assessments and the basis for conclusions and recommendations. Explanation of assessment results is provided to the client and/or guardian unless the reasons for the assessment preclude such disclosure or if it is deemed that such disclosure will cause harm to the client.

The formal process of identifying individuals with particular issues/needs or those who are at risk for developing problems in certain areas is conducted as a preliminary procedure to determine whether or not further assessment is warranted at that time.

Assessment tools are utilized to gain needed insight into the formulation of the most appropriate treatment plan. Assessment instruments are utilized with the goal of gaining an understanding of the extent of a person’s issues/needs and the extent of addictive behaviors.

Addiction professionals shall consider the examinee’s welfare, explicit understanding of the assessment process, and prior agreements in determining where and when to report assessment results. The information shared shall include accurate and appropriate interpretations when individual or group assessment results are reported to another entity.

Information related to assessments is released to other professionals only with a signed release of information form or such a release from the client’s legal representative. Such information is released only to persons recognized as qualified to interpret the data.

Diagnosis of mental health disorders shall be performed only by an authorized mental health professional licensed or certified to conduct mental health assessments or by a licensed or certified addictions counselor who has completed graduate level-specific education on the diagnosis of mental health disorders.

Unless the assessment instrument being used is designed, intended, and validated for self-administration and/or scoring, Addiction professional administered tests will be chosen and scored following the recommended methodology.

Addiction professionals maintain the integrity and security of tests and other assessment procedures consistent with legal and contractual obligations.

Addiction professionals avoid reliance on outdated or obsolete assessment instruments. Professionals will seek out and engage in timely training and/or education on the administration, scoring, and reporting of data obtained through assessment and testing procedures. Intake data and other documentation obtained from clients to be used in recommending treatment level and in treatment planning are reviewed and approved by an authorized mental health professional or a licensed or qualified addiction professional with specific education on assessment and testing.

Addiction professionals recognize that cultural background and socioeconomic status impact the manner in which client issues/needs are defined. These factors are carefully considered when making a clinical diagnosis. Assessment procedures are chosen carefully to ensure appropriate assessment of specific client populations During the assessment the addiction professional shall take appropriate steps to evaluate the assessment results while considering the culture and ethnicity of the persons being evaluated.

Addiction professionals recognize the presence of social prejudices in the diagnosis of substance use disorders and are aware of the long term impact of recording such diagnoses. Addiction professionals refrain from making and/or reporting a diagnosis if they think it would cause harm to the client or others.

Addiction professionals shall provide information to clients regarding confidentiality and any reasons for releasing information in adherence to confidentiality laws. When providing services to families, couples, or groups, the limits, and exceptions to confidentiality must be reviewed and a written document describing confidentiality must be provided to each person. Once private information is obtained by the addiction professional, standards of confidentiality apply. Confidential information is disclosed when appropriate with valid consent from a client or guardian. Every effort is made to protect the confidentiality of client information, except in very specific cases or situations.

1. The addiction professional will inform each client of the exceptions to confidentiality and only make a disclosure to prevent or minimize harm to another person or group, to prevent abuse of protected persons, when a legal court order is presented, for purpose of research, audit, internal agency communication or in a medical emergency. In each situation, only the information essential to satisfy the reason for the disclosure is provided.
2. The addiction professional will 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 of harm to themselves or others.
3. The addiction professional will inform the client of his/her confidentiality rights in writing as a part of informing the client of any areas likely to affect the client’s confidentiality.
4. The addiction professional will explain the impact of electronic records and the use of electronic devices to transmit confidential information via fax, email, or other electronic means. When client information is transmitted electronically, the addiction professional will, as much as possible, utilize secure, dedicated telephone lines or encryption programs to ensure confidentiality.
5. Clients are to be notified when a disclosure is made, to whom the disclosure was made, and for what purposes.
6. The addiction professional will 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.
7. The addiction professional will inform the client(s) of the limits of confidentiality prior to recording an interview or prior to using information from a session for training purposes.

The addiction professional espouses objectivity and integrity and maintains the highest standards in the services provided. The addiction professional recognizes that effectiveness in his/her profession is based on the ability to be worthy of trust. The professional has taken time to reflect on the ethical implications of clinical decisions and behavior using competent authority as a guide. Further, the addiction professional recognizes that those who assume the role of assisting others to live a more responsible life take on the ethical responsibility of living a life that is more than ordinarily responsible. The addiction professional recognizes that even in a life well-lived, harm might be done to others by words and actions. When he/she becomes aware that any work or action has done harm, he/she admits the error and does what is possible to repair or ameliorate the harm except when to do so would cause greater harm. Professionals recognize the many ways in which they influence clients and others within the community and take this fact into consideration as they make decisions in their personal conduct.

1. Addiction professionals will 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.
2. The addiction professional, as an educator, has a primary obligation to help others acquire knowledge and skills in treating the disease of substance use disorders.
3. The addiction professional, as an advocate for his or her clients, understands that he/she has an obligation to support legislation and public policy that recognizes treatment as the first intervention of choice for non-violent substance-related offenses.
4. The addiction professional practices honesty and congruency in all aspects of practice including accurate billing for services, accurate accounting of expenses, faithful and accurate reporting of interactions with clients, and accurate reporting of professional activities.
5. The addiction professional recognizes that much of the property in the substance use disorder profession is intellectual in nature. In this regard, the addiction professional is careful to give appropriate credit for the ideas, concepts, and publications of others when speaking or writing as a professional and as an individual.
6. The addiction professional is aware that conflicts can arise among the duties and rights that are applied to various relationships and commitments of his/her life. Priorities are set among those relationships and family, friends, and associates are informed of the priorities established in order to balance these relationships and the duties flowing from them.
7. When work involves addressing the needs of potentially violent clients, the addiction professional will ensure that adequate safeguards are in place to protect clients and staff from harm.
8. Addiction professionals shall continually seek out new and effective approaches to enhance their professional abilities including continuing education research, and participation in activities with professionals in other disciplines.
9. Addiction professionals have a commitment to lifelong learning and continued education and skills to better serve clients and the community.
10. The addiction professional respects the differing perspectives that might arise from professional training and experience other than his/her own. In this regard, common ground is sought rather than striving for the ascendance of one opinion over another.
11. Addiction professionals, whether they profess to be in recovery or not, must be cognizant of ways in which their use of psychoactive chemicals in public or in private might adversely affect the opinion of the public at large, the recovery community, other members of the addiction professional community or, most particularly, vulnerable individuals seeking treatment for their own problematic use of psychoactive chemicals. Addiction professionals who profess to be in recovery will avoid impairment in their professional or personal lives due to psychoactive chemicals. If impairment occurs, they are expected to immediately report their impairment, to take immediate action to discontinue the professional practice, and to take immediate steps to address their impairment through professional assistance. (See Standard 2, item 3 below).

Addiction professionals will uphold the legal and ethical standards of the profession by being fully cognizant of all federal laws and laws that govern the practice of substance use disorder counseling in their respective states. Furthermore, addiction professionals will strive to uphold not just the letter of the law and the Code but will espouse aspirational ethical standards such as autonomy, beneficence, non-malfeasance, justice, fidelity, and veracity.

1. Addiction professionals will honestly represent their professional qualifications, affiliations, credentials, and experience.
2. Any services provided shall be identified and described accurately with no unsubstantiated claims for the efficacy of the services. Substance use disorders are to be described in terms of information that has been verified by scientific inquiry.
3. The addiction professional strives for a better understanding of substance use disorders and refuses to accept supposition and prejudice as if it were the truth.
4. The impact of impairment on professional performance is recognized; addiction professionals will seek appropriate treatment for him/herself or for a colleague. Addiction professionals support the work of peer assistance programs to assist in the recovery of colleagues or themselves.
5. The addiction professional will 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.
6. The addiction professional who is in recovery will maintain a support system outside the work setting to enhance his/her own well-being and personal growth as well as promoting continued work in the professional setting.
7. The addiction professional will maintain the appropriate property, life, and malpractice insurance policies that serve to protect personal and agency assets.

The addiction professional maintains records of professional services rendered, research conducted, interactions with other individuals, agencies, legal and medical entities regarding professional responsibilities to clients and to the profession as a whole.

1. The addiction professional creates, maintains, disseminates, stores, retains, and disposes of records related to research, practice, payment for services, payment of debts, and other work in accordance with legal standards and in a manner that permits/satisfies the ethics standards established. Documents will include data relating to the date, time, and place of client contact, the services provided, referrals made, disclosures of confidential information, consultation regarding the client, notation of supervision meetings, and the outcome of every service provided.
2. Client records are maintained and disposed of in accordance with the law and in a manner that meets the current ethical standards.
3. Records of client interactions including group and individual counseling services are maintained in a document separate from documents recording financial transactions such as client payments, third-party payments, and gifts or donations.
4. Records shall be kept in a locked file cabinet or room that is not easily accessed by professionals other than those performing essential services in the care of clients or the operation of the agency.
5. Electronic records shall be maintained in a manner that assures consistent service and confidentiality to clients.
6. Steps shall be taken to ensure the confidentiality of all electronic data and transmission of data to other entities.
7. Notes kept by the addiction professional that assist the professional in making appropriate decisions regarding client care but are not relevant to client services shall be maintained in separate, locked locations.

The addiction professional shall treat colleagues with respect, courtesy, fairness, and good faith and shall afford the same to other professionals.

1. Addiction professionals 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.
2. The addiction professional shall cooperate with duly constituted professional ethics committees and promptly supply necessary information unless constrained by the demands of confidentiality.
3. The addiction professional shall not in any way exploit relationships with supervisees, employees, students, research participants, or volunteers.

Addiction professionals, understand the significance of the role that ethnicity and culture play in an individual’s perceptions and how he or she lives in the world. Addiction professionals shall remain aware that many individuals have disabilities which may or may not be obvious. Some disabilities are invisible and unless described might not appear to inhibit expected social, work, and health care interactions. Included in the invisibly disabled category are those persons who are hearing impaired, have a learning disability, have a history of brain or physical injuries, and those affected by chronic illness. Persons having such limitations might be younger than age 65. Part of the intake and assessment must then include a question about any additional factor that must be considered when working with the client.

1. Addiction professionals do not discriminate either in their professional or personal lives against other persons with respect to race, ethnicity, national origin, color, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political beliefs, religion, immigration status, and mental or physical challenges.
2. Accommodations are made as needed for clients who are physically, mentally, educationally challenged, or are experiencing emotional difficulties or speak a different language than the clinician.

The addiction professional recognizes that the profession is founded on national standards of competency which promote the best interests of society, the client, the individual addiction professional, and the profession as a whole. The addiction professional recognizes the need for ongoing education as a component of professional competency and development.

1. The addiction professional recognizes boundaries and limitations of their own competencies and does not offer services or use techniques outside of their own professional competencies.
2. Addiction professionals recognize the impact of impairment on professional performance and shall be willing to seek appropriate treatment for oneself or for a colleague.

Addiction professionals work to maintain a working/therapeutic environment in which clients, colleagues, and employees can be safe. The working environment should be kept in good condition through maintenance, meeting sanitation needs, and addressing structural defects.

1. The addiction professional seeks appropriate supervision/consultation to ensure conformance with workplace standards.
2. The clerical staff members of the treatment agency hired and supervised by addiction professionals are competent, educated in confidentiality standards, and respectful of clients seeking services.
3. Private work areas that ensure confidentiality will be maintained.

Addiction professionals who supervise others accept the obligation to facilitate the further professional development of these individuals by providing accurate and current information, timely evaluations, and constructive consultation. Counseling supervisors are aware of the power differential in their relationships with supervisees and take precautions to maintain ethical standards. In relationships with students, employees, and supervisees he/she strives to develop full creative potential and mature independent functioning.

1. Addiction professionals must take steps to ensure appropriate resources are available when providing consultation to others. Consulting counselors use clear and understandable language to inform all parties involved in the purpose and expectations related to consultation.
2. Addiction professionals who provide supervision to employees, trainees, and other counselors must have completed education and training specific to clinical and/or administrative supervision. The addiction professional who supervises counselors in training shall ensure that counselors in training adhere to policies regarding client care.
3. Addiction professionals serving as supervisors shall clearly define and maintain ethical professional, personal and social relationships with those they supervise. If other professional roles must be assumed, standards must be established to minimize potential conflicts.
4. Sexual, romantic, or personal relationships with current supervisees are prohibited. Supervision of relatives, romantic partners, or friends is prohibited.
5. Supervision meetings are conducted at specific regular intervals and documentation of each meeting is maintained.
6. Supervisors are responsible for incorporating the principles of informed consent into the supervision relationship.
7. Addiction professionals who serve as supervisors shall establish and communicate to supervisees the procedures for contacting them, or in their absence alternative on-call supervisors.
8. Supervising addiction professionals will assist those they supervise in identifying counter-transference and transference issues. When the supervisee is in need of counseling to address issues related to professional work or personal challenges, appropriate referrals shall be provided.

The addiction professional shall behave in accordance with legal, ethical and moral standards for his or her work. To this end, professionals will attempt to resolve ethical dilemmas with direct and open communication among all parties involved and seek supervision and/or consultation as appropriate.

1. When ethical responsibilities conflict with law, regulations, or other governing legal authority, addiction professionals should take steps to resolve the issue through consultation and supervision.
2. When addiction professionals have knowledge that another counselor might be acting in an unethical manner, they are obligated to take appropriate action based, as appropriate, on the standards of this code of ethics, their state ethics committee, and the National Certification Commission.
3. When an ethical dilemma involving a person not following the ethical standards cannot be resolved informally, the matter shall be referred to the state ethics committee and the National Certification Commission.
4. Addiction professionals will cooperate with investigations, proceedings, and requirements of ethics committees.

The addiction professional who submits for publication or prepares handouts for clients, students, or for general distribution shall be aware of and adhere to copyright laws.

1. The addiction professional honestly respects the limits of present knowledge in public statements related to alcohol and drug abuse. Statements of fact will be based on what has been empirically validated as fact. Other opinions, speculations, and conjectures related to the addictive process shall be represented as less than scientifically validated.
2. The addiction professional recognizes the contributions of other persons to their written documents.
3. When a document is based on cooperative work, all contributors are recognized in documents or during a presentation.
4. The addiction professional who reviews material submitted for publication, research, or other scholarly purposes must respect the confidentiality and proprietary rights of the authors.

Standard 1: Societal Obligations

The addiction professional is strongly encouraged 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.

1. The addiction professional understands that laws and regulations exist for the good ordering of society and for the restraint of harm and evil and will follow them while reserving the right to commit civil disobedience.
2. The one exception to this principle is a law or regulation that is clearly unjust, where compliance leads to greater harm than breaking a law.
3. The addiction professional understands 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, and will willingly accept that there may be a penalty for justified civil disobedience.

The addiction professional is strongly encouraged to actively participate in community activities designed to shape policies and institutions that impact on substance use disorders. Addiction professionals will provide appropriate professional services in public emergencies to the greatest extent possible.

The addiction professional is strongly encouraged to understand that personal and professional commitments and relationships create a network of rights and corresponding duties and will work to safeguard the natural and consensual rights of each individual within their community. The addiction professional understands that social and political actions and opinions are an individual’s right and will not work to impose their social or political views on individuals with whom they have a professional relationship.

This resource was designed to provide an ethics code and ethical standards that will be used by counseling professionals. These principles of ethical conduct outline the importance of having ethical standards and the importance of adhering to those standards. These principles can help professionals face ethical dilemmas in their practice and explore ways to avoid them.