Alcohol and Drug Counselor Professional and Ethical Responsibilities Flashcards

A counselor is asked by a client to provide therapy to the client's adult child. This situation represents which type of ethical concern?

Answer: A dual relationship

Treating a client's family member creates a dual relationship that can compromise objectivity and the therapeutic relationship with the original client.

Which of the following best describes the role of cultural humility in addiction counseling ethics?

Answer: An ongoing commitment to self-reflection and learning about how culture influences the counseling relationship

Cultural humility requires counselors to continuously examine their own biases and remain open to clients' unique cultural perspectives rather than assuming expertise.

A client in early recovery asks their counselor to be a character witness in an unrelated legal matter. The counselor should:

Answer: Decline because this would constitute a dual relationship outside the therapeutic context

Serving as a character witness for a current client extends the relationship beyond its therapeutic purpose and creates a dual relationship.

An addiction counselor working in a rural community is also a member of the same church as several clients. This situation most directly requires the counselor to:

Answer: Proactively discuss role boundaries with affected clients and seek supervision

In rural settings where overlapping relationships are unavoidable, proactive boundary discussions and ongoing supervision are key ethical management strategies.

The primary purpose of informed consent in addiction treatment is to:

Answer: Ensure clients understand the nature, risks, and alternatives to treatment so they can make autonomous decisions

Informed consent respects client autonomy by ensuring they have the information needed to voluntarily agree to or refuse treatment.

A counselor who consistently avoids confronting a client's minimization of their drug use to prevent conflict is demonstrating:

Answer: Collusion with the client's denial

Avoiding necessary therapeutic confrontation to maintain a comfortable relationship constitutes collusion with the client's denial, which undermines treatment effectiveness.

Which of the following statements about mandated reporting of child abuse is accurate for addiction counselors?

Answer: All licensed counselors are mandated reporters regardless of the population they serve

Licensed counselors are mandated reporters in all U.S. states and are required to report suspected child abuse regardless of who their identified client is.