Professional and Ethical Responsibilities
The ethical frame
Addiction counselors work under codes such as the NAADAC/NCC AP Code of Ethics, built on principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, fidelity, and veracity. Know these principles by name and be able to identify which one a scenario implicates: promoting a client's self-determination (autonomy), avoiding harm (nonmaleficence), keeping promises (fidelity), telling the truth (veracity), and fair treatment (justice).
Core obligations
Informed consent covers treatment, fees, records, and the limits of confidentiality. Confidentiality limits include imminent risk of serious harm to self or others (duty to warn and protect, as in Tarasoff), suspected child or elder abuse (mandatory reporting), and valid court orders. Scope of competence means practicing within training and referring or consulting otherwise. Dual relationships should be avoided when they risk impairing judgment or exploiting the client; sexual relationships with current clients are always prohibited, and relationships with former clients are ethically hazardous. Boundary management, supervision, and continuing education are ongoing obligations. Impaired practice - fatigue, burnout, personal substance problems - requires self-monitoring and seeking help.
Decisions under pressure
Use a structured ethical decision-making model: identify the problem, consult the code and law, consult a supervisor or peer, consider stakeholders and consequences, decide, act, and document. Document your reasoning, not just your conclusion.
Traps: reasoning that a boundary is fine because no harm occurred or the client consented; disclosing records in response to a bare subpoena; treating a friend request or social media contact as harmless; bartering without scrutiny.
Rule of thumb: when in doubt, consult first and document both the dilemma and the consultation.