Ethical Issues in Addiction Counseling

Codes of ethics and standards of observe are set forth by skilled associations such as the Yankee Counseling Association (ACA) and the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). Such codes define principles of moral behavior required by the profession. Additionally, treatment centers like the Hazelden Foundation defines requirements for employees designed to confirm consistent ethical behavior across the organization (Hazelden.org). But, practicing as a skilled conjointly needs judgment, moral call-making, and regular introspection and clarification of a personal code of ethics.

The effective helper is one who encompasses a sense of self-awareness, an investigative approach, a need to try for competence, emotional objectivity, and facilitative attitudes and values. Self-awareness refers to a counselor having insight into who they're, what's necessary to them, their distinctive gifts, and limitations they create into a serving to relationship. From a Twelve Step perspective, this involves a daily, Step 10, personal inventory (Alcoholics Anonymous, Basic Text, 1995). The counselor desires to be cognizant of the facility differential within the counselor: patient relationship and "avoid actions that ask for to meet personal desires at the expense of shoppers" (ACA, A.5)

To be effective, the counselor must take regular stock of their attitudes and values. Employees of Hazelden are needed to provide "fair and just practices" and to treat all patients with "dignity and respect". As a professional member of ACA and NAADAC, the counselor is commitment to "avoid imposing (their) own values on shoppers" (ACA, A.five) and to "espouse objectivity and integrity" (NAADAC, a pair of). This implies practicing patience, tolerance, and unconditional regard for each individual shopper and being cognizant of private views, which, in many cases, are shaped by a Euro-American, protestant, middle-category, ancient, extended family cultural experience.

This can be especially vital as counseling is rooted in and reflects the dominant values of the larger society, therefore reflecting a primarily Eurocentric worldview. Therefore, treatment has the potential to represent cultural oppression and cause hurt to clients. In 1991, the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development referred to as upon the counseling profession to minimize this risk by adopting moral standards that may encourage the event of competencies in multicultural counseling. The present Code of Ethics of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors stipulates that the counselor not discriminate against shoppers primarily based on race, faith, age, gender, incapacity, national ancestry, sexual orientation, or economic condition (NAADAC, 2001). Whereas the standard is clear, the competencies required to fulfill the expectation are less so. The dearth of clarity is exemplified by, and due in part to, the inconsistent and confusing terminology like culturally applicable, multicultural, ethnically sensitive, and cultural diversity. A unifying construct is required for conceptualizing the problem at a private level and for identifying and implementing solutions.

The therapeutic relationship between client and addiction counselor could be a special one primarily based upon mutual respect and trust. Each are enhanced by the counsellor's consistent attention to such ethical considerations. An moral breach stands to irrevocably destroy trust. With addiction being a doubtless fatal disease, full compliance with all moral issues on the half of the therapist or counselor then becomes a matter of life and death.

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