CRS Ethical & Legal Considerations in Recovery 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A peer in recovery shares information about a past crime that has already been adjudicated. How should the recovery specialist handle this disclosure?
- Report it to law enforcement immediately
- Treat it as confidential information shared in the context of recovery support (Correct answer)
- Document it and share it with the treatment team without consent
- Advise the peer to re-report themselves to authorities
Correct answer: Treat it as confidential information shared in the context of recovery support
Past adjudicated crimes do not trigger mandatory reporting; this disclosure should be treated as confidential information shared within the recovery support relationship.
Question 2: Which of the following BEST supports cultural competence in ethical recovery practice?
- Applying the same recovery framework to all peers regardless of background
- Adapting support approaches to respect each peer's cultural values and identity (Correct answer)
- Avoiding discussions of culture to prevent misunderstandings
- Referring all peers from minority groups to specialized providers only
Correct answer: Adapting support approaches to respect each peer's cultural values and identity
Cultural competence requires adapting services to honor the peer's cultural background, values, and identity to provide respectful and effective support.
Question 3: A recovery specialist suspects a colleague is acting unethically toward a peer. What should they do FIRST?
- Confront the colleague aggressively in front of other staff
- Follow the organization's internal reporting or ethics complaint process (Correct answer)
- Ignore the situation to avoid workplace conflict
- Directly inform the peer about the suspected misconduct
Correct answer: Follow the organization's internal reporting or ethics complaint process
Most ethical codes and organizations have internal processes for reporting suspected misconduct, which should be the first step before escalating externally.
Question 4: Under the ADA, how must employers treat individuals in recovery from substance use disorders?
- They may deny employment based solely on a history of addiction
- They must provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals in recovery (Correct answer)
- They can require treatment as a condition of employment without restrictions
- They are exempt from ADA requirements if the role involves public safety
Correct answer: They must provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals in recovery
The ADA protects individuals in recovery (who are no longer currently using illegal drugs) as qualified individuals who may be entitled to reasonable accommodations.
Question 5: A peer signs a release of information but later verbally revokes it. What is the recovery specialist's obligation?
- Continue sharing information since the original release was signed
- Honor the verbal revocation and stop sharing information immediately (Correct answer)
- Require the peer to submit a written revocation before stopping disclosures
- Consult only with supervisors, not the peer, about how to proceed
Correct answer: Honor the verbal revocation and stop sharing information immediately
Peers have the right to revoke consent at any time; the specialist must stop sharing information upon learning of the revocation, even if it is verbal.
Question 6: Which ethical principle is demonstrated when a recovery specialist ensures a peer has all the information needed to make decisions about their own care?
- Non-maleficence
- Justice
- Autonomy and informed consent (Correct answer)
- Fidelity
Correct answer: Autonomy and informed consent
Autonomy combined with informed consent ensures peers have accurate, complete information to make self-directed decisions about their recovery and care.
Question 7: A recovery specialist is asked to co-sign a legal document by a peer to help them secure housing. This action is MOST problematic because:
- It is illegal in all US states for recovery specialists to help with housing
- It creates a financial and legal entanglement that violates professional boundaries (Correct answer)
- It violates HIPAA by revealing the peer's identity
- It constitutes mandatory reporting of the peer's financial status
Correct answer: It creates a financial and legal entanglement that violates professional boundaries
Co-signing legal or financial documents blurs professional boundaries and creates a personal legal liability that compromises the professional relationship.
CRS Ethical & Legal Considerations in Recovery 4
A peer in recovery shares information about a past crime that has already been adjudicated.
How should the recovery specialist handle this disclosure?