CADC Alcohol and Drug Counselor Professional and Ethical Responsibilities 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A counselor is asked by a client to provide therapy to the client's adult child. This situation represents which type of ethical concern?
- Transference
- Countertransference
- A dual relationship (Correct answer)
- A supervisory boundary issue
Correct 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.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the role of cultural humility in addiction counseling ethics?
- Assuming all clients from a culture share the same values about substance use
- An ongoing commitment to self-reflection and learning about how culture influences the counseling relationship (Correct answer)
- Avoiding cultural topics to prevent making clients uncomfortable
- Applying treatment protocols equally to all clients regardless of cultural background
Correct 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.
Question 3: A client in early recovery asks their counselor to be a character witness in an unrelated legal matter. The counselor should:
- Agree to help because supporting clients is a counselor's primary role
- Decline because this would constitute a dual relationship outside the therapeutic context (Correct answer)
- Ask the client to pay for this additional service
- Consult with the court before deciding
Correct 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.
Question 4: 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:
- Leave the church to avoid any potential conflict
- Proactively discuss role boundaries with affected clients and seek supervision (Correct answer)
- Refuse to treat any clients from the congregation
- Report the overlap to the licensing board immediately
Correct 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.
Question 5: The primary purpose of informed consent in addiction treatment is to:
- Protect the treatment program from legal liability
- Ensure clients understand the nature, risks, and alternatives to treatment so they can make autonomous decisions (Correct answer)
- Satisfy insurance company documentation requirements
- Establish the counselor's authority in the therapeutic relationship
Correct 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.
Question 6: A counselor who consistently avoids confronting a client's minimization of their drug use to prevent conflict is demonstrating:
- Cultural sensitivity
- Appropriate client-centered practice
- Collusion with the client's denial (Correct answer)
- Motivational interviewing technique
Correct 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.
Question 7: Which of the following statements about mandated reporting of child abuse is accurate for addiction counselors?
- Counselors are exempt from mandated reporting if the abuser is also their client
- All licensed counselors are mandated reporters regardless of the population they serve (Correct answer)
- Mandated reporting only applies when the child is a direct client of the counselor
- Counselors must have witnessed the abuse to be required to report
Correct 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.
CADC Alcohol and Drug Counselor Professional and Ethical Responsibilities 4
A counselor is asked by a client to provide therapy to the client's adult child.
This situation represents which type of ethical concern?