Ethical Issues in Substance Use Treatment and Strategies to Prevent Violations

In this course, Dr. Kevin Doyle (EdD, LPC, LPCC, President and CEO of Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School) discusses how to manage ethical conundrums with clients undergoing substance use treatments in three central but thorny areas: imposition of values, multiple relationships, and coordination of care. Imposition of values includes both personal and professional values; allowing client autonomy and meeting people where they are without judgment assists with this. Dr. Doyle explains how, especially in small communities or remote areas, avoiding dual relationships is not always possible, and in some cases, it would be disrespectful not to celebrate a certain milestone with a substance use client. Coordinating care means navigating confidentiality issues. Dr. Doyle proposes strategies to avoid ethical violations, including consulting supervisors, codes of ethics, and decision-making models.