Chemical Dependency Counselor License Professional and Ethical Responsibilities Questions and Answers

Question 1

A chemical dependency counselor is working with a client who also discloses significant, untreated symptoms of an eating disorder.
The counselor has no specialized training in treating eating disorders.
What is the MOST ethical course of action?

Accepted Answer

Continue to treat the substance use disorder while providing the client with a referral to an eating disorder specialist and offering to collaborate on care.

Answer

Attempt to treat both the substance use and eating disorders using general counseling principles and techniques.

Answer

Inform the client that treatment can only focus on the substance use disorder and the eating disorder cannot be discussed in sessions.

Answer

Immediately terminate the counseling relationship and refer the client to a program that treats co-occurring disorders.

Question 2

A counselor runs into a former client at a local coffee shop six months after the client successfully completed treatment. The former client is very appreciative and invites the counselor to their upcoming family graduation party. According to most ethical guidelines, what is the counselor's BEST response?

Accepted Answer

Politely decline, explaining the importance of maintaining professional boundaries to preserve the integrity of the therapeutic relationship, even after termination.

Answer

Accept the invitation to be supportive of the client's continued success.

Answer

Tell the client they will think about it but then do not attend.

Answer

Accept the invitation but make it clear that the relationship will be strictly social from now on.

Question 3

Under the federal confidentiality regulations of 42 CFR Part 2, which of the following disclosures is permissible WITHOUT a client's specific written consent?

Accepted Answer

To medical personnel during a bona fide medical emergency.

Answer

To law enforcement in response to a subpoena for records.

Answer

To a client's employer to verify treatment attendance.

Answer

To a client's spouse who is concerned about a potential relapse.

Question 4

A counselor receives a subpoena from an attorney in a civil lawsuit demanding a client's entire treatment record. The client has NOT provided written consent for this release. What is the counselor's first ethical and legal step?

Accepted Answer

Consult with a supervisor or legal counsel before taking any action and do not release any information without proper authorization.

Answer

Immediately send a copy of the records to the attorney to comply with the legal document.

Answer

Contact the client and insist they sign a consent form to avoid legal trouble.

Answer

Ignore the subpoena because no client consent or court order was provided.

Question 5

Which of the following is an essential component of the initial informed consent process in chemical dependency counseling?

Accepted Answer

An explanation of the limits of confidentiality, including mandatory reporting duties.

Answer

A detailed schedule of all group therapy topics for the next six months.

Answer

A guarantee that the client will achieve and maintain sobriety.

Answer

The counselor's personal opinions on different recovery pathways.

Question 6

In the context of professional ethics, cultural competence is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Recognizing one's own cultural biases and actively working to understand and respect the diverse backgrounds and values of clients.

Answer

Treating every client exactly the same to ensure fairness and equality.

Answer

Referring any client from a different background to a counselor of the same background.

Answer

Memorizing the specific customs and traditions of all major ethnic groups.

A chemical dependency counselor is working with a client who also discloses significant, untreated symptoms of an eating disorder.The counselor has no specialized training in treating eating disorders.What is the MOST ethical course of action?

A chemical dependency counselor is working with a client who also discloses significant, untreated symptoms of an eating disorder.
The counselor has no specialized training in treating eating disorders.
What is the MOST ethical course of action?