Ethical & Legal Considerations in Recovery Flashcards

A recovery coach learns that a person they coach is also being coached by a friend of the coach's spouse. What is the best first step?

Answer: Disclose the dual relationship to the person and supervisor and decide together how to proceed

Potential dual relationships should be disclosed and discussed transparently with the person and a supervisor.

Which of the following is a recovery coach's primary ethical obligation when a person's goals conflict with the coach's personal beliefs?

Answer: Support the person's self-determination while keeping personal values out of the coaching

Respecting self-determination means the coach does not impose personal values on the person.

A person asks the coach to keep a secret that they plan to harm another person. How should the coach respond?

Answer: Explain limits of confidentiality and follow duty-to-warn/protect procedures and supervisor guidance

Confidentiality has limits when there is imminent danger to others, requiring appropriate reporting.

Which statement best describes the purpose of a code of ethics for recovery coaches?

Answer: It guides professional conduct and protects the people served

A code of ethics sets standards of conduct that protect the people being served and the profession.

A coach is offered a gift card worth $200 by a grateful person in recovery. What is the most appropriate action?

Answer: Decline politely, explain agency gift policy, and consult the supervisor

Significant gifts can create conflicts of interest and should be declined per policy with supervisor input.

Which situation most clearly constitutes practicing outside the scope of a recovery coach?

Answer: Advising a person to stop taking prescribed medication

Medication decisions belong to prescribers; coaches must not give medical advice.

A coach realizes they made a documentation error that misstated a session date. What should they do?

Answer: Correct it transparently per agency policy, with a dated note rather than erasing the original

Records should be corrected openly with an addendum so the original remains traceable.