CASAC Professional Ethics and Regulations 2

Question 1

A CASAC counselor discovers that a colleague is providing services to clients while under the influence of alcohol. According to professional ethics codes, what is the counselor's primary obligation?

Accepted Answer

Report the colleague's impairment to the appropriate supervisory or regulatory authority to protect client welfare

Answer

Ignore the situation to maintain collegial relationships

Answer

Directly confront the colleague in front of clients

Answer

Anonymously post about the situation on social media

Question 2

Under New York State OASAS regulations, which of the following constitutes a boundary violation in the counselor-client relationship?

Accepted Answer

Engaging in a sexual or romantic relationship with a current or former client

Answer

Referring a client to a community support group

Answer

Providing the client with a list of emergency contact numbers

Answer

Adjusting the treatment plan based on new clinical information

Question 3

A client in substance abuse treatment requests that their counselor provide a letter to their probation officer confirming their attendance and progress. What ethical and legal considerations must the counselor navigate?

Accepted Answer

The counselor must obtain the client's specific written consent under 42 CFR Part 2 that names the probation officer and specifies what information can be disclosed

Answer

The counselor should refuse all such requests as violations of confidentiality

Answer

The counselor can share any information since the client is on probation

Answer

The probation officer's authority overrides all confidentiality protections

Question 4

The ethical principle of 'nonmaleficence' in substance abuse counseling most directly requires counselors to:

Accepted Answer

Avoid actions that cause harm to clients and take steps to prevent foreseeable harm

Answer

Provide free services to all clients regardless of insurance status

Answer

Always agree with the client's treatment preferences

Answer

Share all clinical information with the client's family

Question 5

A CASAC counselor is working with a client whose cultural background includes traditional healing practices that conflict with Western medical approaches to addiction treatment. What is the most ethically appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Explore the cultural practices respectfully, assess for potential harm, and integrate compatible elements into the treatment plan while maintaining clinical standards

Answer

Insist that the client abandon their cultural practices in favor of evidence-based treatment

Answer

Completely defer to the cultural practices and abandon the treatment plan

Answer

Ignore the cultural differences and proceed with the standard treatment protocol

Question 6

What is the minimum continuing education requirement for maintaining CASAC certification in New York State?

Accepted Answer

CASACs must complete continuing education requirements as specified by OASAS, including ethics training, during each renewal period

Answer

No continuing education is required after initial certification

Answer

Only one hour of continuing education per year

Answer

Continuing education is voluntary and has no impact on certification status