Ethical and Professional Responsibility Flashcards

A peer recovery specialist learns that a person in recovery they support has relapsed. What is the MOST ethical first response?

Answer: Encourage the person to re-engage with support services without judgment

Ethical peer support responds to relapse with compassion and encouragement to re-engage services, not punitive or shaming actions.

Which behavior BEST demonstrates professional integrity for a Certified Recovery Support Specialist?

Answer: Maintaining consistency between stated values and actions in all interactions

Professional integrity means acting in alignment with stated values and ethics at all times, not just when convenient.

A recovery support specialist is asked by a supervisor to share confidential peer information for administrative reporting. What should the specialist do FIRST?

Answer: Determine whether the peer has given informed consent or if a legal exception applies

Confidentiality can only be breached with informed consent or in legally recognized exceptions, regardless of who requests the information.

When a recovery support specialist develops romantic feelings for a peer they support, the MOST ethical course of action is to:

Answer: Seek clinical supervision and arrange an appropriate transfer of services

Romantic feelings toward a peer represent a conflict of interest that requires supervision and, typically, transfer of the case to protect the peer's wellbeing.

Which of the following BEST describes the concept of 'self-determination' in peer recovery support?

Answer: The peer has the right to make their own choices about their recovery journey

Self-determination is the ethical principle that peers have the right to define and direct their own recovery, even if the specialist disagrees with their choices.

A peer discloses that they are currently selling drugs to support themselves. The specialist has no indication of imminent danger to others. The MOST ethical action is to:

Answer: Acknowledge the disclosure, explore underlying needs, and continue supportive engagement

Unless there is imminent danger, ethical recovery support involves engaging without judgment while exploring underlying needs rather than punishing disclosure.

Which of the following is an example of practicing within the scope of a Recovery Support Specialist's role?

Answer: Providing peer support and connecting a peer to community resources

Recovery Support Specialists are trained to provide peer support and resource navigation, not clinical diagnosis or treatment.