839 Ind. Admin. Code 1-5.5-8

Current through October 16, 2024

Section 839 IAC 1-5.5-8 - Standards for the competent practice of addiction and clinical addiction counseling

Authority: IC 25-23.6-2-8

Affected: IC 25-23.6

Sec. 8.

The LAC and LCAC must comply with IC 25-23.6 governing the practice of addiction and clinical addiction counseling, IC 25-1-9 governing health professions standards of practice, and shall abide by the following standards:

(1) An addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor shall not exploit the trust and dependency of clients. Addiction counselors and clinical addiction counselors shall avoid dual relationships with clients that could impair their professional judgment or increase the risk of exploitation. Examples of such dual relationships include, but are not limited to, business, close personal, and intimate relationships.

(2) An addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor shall not undertake any professional activity that the addiction counselor or clinical addiction counselor is not qualified by education, training, experience, and scope of practice to undertake.

(3) An addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor's primary professional responsibility is to the client. An addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor shall make every reasonable effort to advance the welfare and best interests of the client, including respecting the rights of those persons seeking assistance and making reasonable efforts to ensure that the addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor's services are used appropriately.

(4) An addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor shall act in accordance with the highest standards of professional integrity and competence. An addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor is honest in dealing with clients, students, trainees, colleagues, and the public. An addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor seeks to eliminate incompetence or dishonesty from the profession.

(5) An addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor holds in confidence information obtained in the course of professional service. An addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor safeguards client confidences as permitted by law.

(6) An addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor respects the rights and responsibilities of professional colleagues and, as the employee of an organization, remains accountable as an individual to the ethical principles of the profession. An addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor:

(A) treats colleagues with respect and good faith; and

(B) relates to the clients of colleagues with full professional consideration.

(7) When using assessment instruments or techniques, an addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor shall make every effort to promote the welfare and best interests of the client. An addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor:

(A) guards against the misuse of assessment results; and

(B) respects the client's right to know the results, interpretations, and basis for any conclusions or recommendations.

(8) An addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor recognizes that research activities must be conducted with full respect for the rights and dignity of participants and with full concern for their welfare. Participation in research must be voluntary unless it can be demonstrated that involuntary participation will have no harmful effects on the subjects and is essential to the investigation.

(9) An addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor adheres to professional rather than commercial standards when making known his or her availability for professional services. An addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor shall provide information that accurately informs the public of the professional services, expertise, and techniques available.

(10) An addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor shall not abandon or neglect clients in treatment without making reasonable arrangements for the continuation of such treatment.

(11) An addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor is aware of anything that might interfere with the addiction counselor's or clinical addiction counselor's effectiveness and shall refrain from any activity that might lead to inadequate performance or harm to anyone, including himself or herself and the client.

839 IAC 1-5.5-8

Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board; 839 IAC 1-5.5-8; filed Aug 1, 2012, 11:01 a.m.: 20120829-IR-839110676FRA

Readopted filed 11/29/2018, 10:34 a.m.: 20181226-IR-839180402RFA

Readopted filed 6/24/2024, 3:49 p.m.: 20240724-IR-839230815RFA