Ethical Dilemmas In Substance Abuse Counselor

726 Words2 Pages

Professional counselors are confronted with ethical decision making on a regular day-to-day basis. This could be both nerve-racking and challenging. In order for a counselor to face these ethical decisions, it is important for them to have guidelines in place for when an ethical or legal situation occurs. The first step is to recognize there is an ethical dilemma, once this is recognized the process to resolve it can be started (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2008).
For a new substance abuse counselor it can be difficult to recognize an ethical dilemma. Not that substance abuse counselor’s are ignorant, but most counselors are oblivious to the fact that everything an individual does, has an ethical dimension. Discovering if the dimension is ethical …show more content…

For Example if confidentiality is the dilemma The NAADAC Code of Ethics states that” Every effort is made to protect the confidentiality of client information, and in very specific cases or situations to disclose information appropriately and according to federal law”(NAADAC, 2011, para. 5). In as much According to ACA Code of Ethics counselors are required to violate confidentiality only “to protect clients or identified others from serious and foreseeable harm or when legal requirements demand that confidential information must be revealed” (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2005). Therefore, since trust is one of the most important aspects of a counselor client relationship a counselor must be certain if confidentiality is the ethical dilemma being presented, there should be clear-cut reasons for the information to be disclosed. If a counselor is educated with the proper laws and the relevant Code of ethics pertinent to there field of study they can validate their decision to supervisor, clients, and even legal entity’s if …show more content…

This involves ascertaining the behavioral results the counselor expects to accomplish and putting a plan in place to accomplish them. Also ascertaining any additional information needed to carry out a successful behavioral course. In as much this is the time to consult with colleagues or supervisors. This allows a counselor to sort out their choices and collect advice on the most ethical choice to be made. Once all the pieces are connected, it is then time to implement the decision. This is something the counselor must do on their own, taking into account the moral responsibility of their client, as well as their profession, and be held responsible for the decision that is

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