Alcohol and Drug Counselor Professional and Ethical Responsibilities Questions and Answers

Question 1

An alcohol and drug counselor is working with a client who discloses a specific and credible threat to physically harm their estranged spouse.
According to the principle of 'duty to warn' established in the Tarasoff case, what is the counselor's MOST critical ethical and legal responsibility?

Accepted Answer

To break confidentiality and take reasonable steps to protect the intended victim, which may include notifying them and law enforcement.

Answer

To maintain absolute client confidentiality as required by 42 CFR Part 2, as the threat was made within a counseling session.

Answer

To immediately terminate the counseling relationship to avoid any legal liability.

Answer

To work with the client to create a safety plan but refrain from contacting any third parties without the client's explicit consent.

Question 2

A counselor in a small, rural community discovers that their new client is the parent of their child's best friend. Which of the following actions BEST represents the most ethical course of action for the counselor to take?

Accepted Answer

Disclose the dual relationship to the client, discuss the potential conflicts of interest, and explore referral options.

Answer

Continue the counseling relationship but maintain strict boundaries by not acknowledging the outside connection.

Answer

Immediately refer the client to another provider without any explanation to avoid awkwardness.

Answer

Agree to see the client, but make a pact with them not to discuss anything related to their children.

Question 3

During the initial intake session, a counselor provides a client with a Professional Disclosure Statement. Which of the following is a primary purpose of this document in the informed consent process?

Accepted Answer

To provide the client with information about the counselor's qualifications, therapeutic approach, and the limits of confidentiality.

Answer

To guarantee a successful treatment outcome for the client.

Answer

To obtain the client's permission to bill their insurance company.

Answer

To fulfill the counselor's personal liability insurance requirements.

Question 4

A counselor receives a 'friend request' on a personal social media account from a client who successfully completed treatment six months ago. The most ethically sound policy for the counselor to adopt would be to:

Accepted Answer

Politely decline the request and, if appropriate, briefly explain the professional policy of not engaging with clients on personal social media to maintain clear boundaries.

Answer

Accept the request to be supportive of the former client's ongoing recovery.

Answer

Ignore the request and block the former client to prevent future contact.

Answer

Create a separate, 'professional' social media profile and direct the former client to connect there instead.

Question 5

A client with a substance use disorder reveals they are overwhelmed with debt and are considering illegal activities to solve their financial problems. The alcohol and drug counselor is not trained as a financial advisor. What is the counselor's most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Refer the client to a reputable non-profit credit counseling service and focus on the client's feelings about their financial stress in session.

Answer

Help the client create a detailed household budget and debt repayment plan.

Answer

Advise the client on which debts to prioritize based on personal experience.

Answer

Explore the client's past criminal history to assess the likelihood they will follow through with illegal acts.

Question 6

Which of the following statements best describes the primary confidentiality requirement for substance use disorder patient records under federal law 42 CFR Part 2?

Accepted Answer

Disclosure of any identifying information requires specific, written patient consent for each separate disclosure.

Answer

Records can be shared with law enforcement upon verbal request if a crime is suspected.

Answer

Information can be disclosed to a patient's family members if they demonstrate a need to know.

Answer

The regulations are identical to HIPAA and do not provide any additional protections.