Code of Ethics

Adapted from the Code of Ethics of the Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals

    General

  1. Drug and alcohol professionals (DAPs) recognise that they hold positions of moral and ethical responsibility.
  2. DAPs acknowledge that their clients, in seeking help place themselves in a position of vulnerability by putting their trust in DAPs.
  3. DAPs recognise the power they have in the relationship with the client and never misuse or abuse this power. In all professional dealings the interest of the client must come first.
  4. DAPs should bring both a strong vocational spirit and a professional approach to their work.
  5. DAPs should have appropriate and regular supervision. If such supervision is not provided by an employer it should be obtained elsewhere.
  6. DAPs must disclose any pending or past ethical procedures and disciplinary action in the last two years.
  7. DAPs must not falsify any information in the application process for either membership of FDAP or for professional registration/accreditation.
  8. DAPs in making statements to clients, other professionals and the general public shall state as fact only those matters which have been empirically validated as fact.

    9. Conduct of Treatment and Care of the Client

  9. DAPs must treat all clients with care, sensitivity and respect.
  10. It is recognised that a relationship develops between DAPs and their clients. This relationship can only be allowed to work with and in the best interest of the client.
  11. Although a degree of intimacy can develop between DAPs and their clients within their professional relationship, DAPs must never take advantage of or exploit such intimacy.
  12. Sexual contact with clients must be avoided at all times. This includes making any hints, suggestions or encouragement to consider the possibility of such contact either present or future. Any attempt by clients to have sexual contact must be respectfully but clearly resisted and dealt with. The help of senior colleagues or supervisor should be sought at the earliest opportunity.
  13. Sometimes touching or even hugging the client may be considered helpful. Such contact should be without sexual intent or any other exploitative motive. If there is any doubt about the appropriateness of such contact it should be avoided.
  14. Whenever a client expresses a wish not to be touched that wish must be respected.
  15. All procedures or requirements of any intervention must be clearly explained and any reasonable requests for clarification or additional information responded to positively.
  16. DAPs must not make false or exaggerated claims about the effectiveness of the services they are providing, nor should they ascribe unusual powers to themselves.
  17. DAPs must not advance the interest of one client at the expense of another. When dealing with more than one client they must behave equitably at all times.
  18. Coercion by the use of physical force or undue psychological pressure or the threat of force must not be used at any time.
  19. If conditions are imposed upon the continuation of a treatment intervention, they must be fully justifiable on therapeutic grounds, have the approval of the DAP's senior colleagues or supervisor and be in the client's best interest. They must always be clearly explained and be seen to be understood before being implemented.
  20. DAPs act on behalf of their clients. However, when conducting family conferences it is vital to recognise the need for a balanced open minded approach and avoid responding to pressure to "fight battles".

    21. Standards of Behaviour

  21. DAPs must not accept gifts other than what can be described as anything more than small tokens of gratitude. All instances should be brought promptly to the attention of a supervisor or line manager.
  22. DAPs must not attempt to solicit gifts or gratuiti
  23. DAPs must not solicit or try to obtain by any means advice on business dealings or events involving gambling, nor must they make any attempt to act upon or take advantage of any such information proffered or inadvertently discovered. DAPs must not offer advice on any of the above.
  24. DAPs must at all times avoid entering into any borrowing/lending arrangement with clients.
  25. A DAP whose partner works in the same setting must be aware of the difficulties this may pose should one or the other engage in unethical behavi
  26. DAPs must not discriminate on grounds of race, creed, disability, colour, age or sex, sexual preference or ethnic origin, financial or social status against colleagues, clients or visit
  27. DAPs must protect the confidentiality of clients. Information obtained in the course of a client relationship may not be used in any way other than that which is helpful to the client and with his/her signed consent. However in the following circumstances the duty of confidentiality may be broken:
    1. Where it is appropriate to share information with a colleague or supervisor, for example in the circumstances outlined in this Code
    2. Where a client discloses abuse of a child but refuses to permit any disclosure.
    3. When the DAP holds a sincere belief that the client means to do another physical harm and that this person is in imminent danger
    4. When police in pursuit of an investigation of a crime are granted lawful access to the informa
    5. When otherwise required by the process of law or by force majeure
  28. Information identifying clients must not be used in articles or books for publication or on video or film without the written signed permission of the client given for that purpose. The preservation of anonymity must be guaranteed if requested.
  29. Clients must give prior written consent for their participation in any research.
  30. DAPs must not condone, support, conceal or otherwise enable the unethical conduct of colleagues.
  31. DAPs must never inhibit clients in their right to register complaints or make any attempt to divert, dissuade from or conceal complaints. DAPs have a duty to explain procedures for dealing with complaints or grievances when asked by clients who are dissatisfi
  32. A DAP proposing to act as a sponsor (e.g. in any of the self-help fellowships) to clients including those in aftercare or in the family programme, within three years of their final discharge from treatment, should first consult his/her supervisor.
  33. DAPs should refrain from practice when their ability to act professionally and in the best interests of their clients is impaired as a result of a psychological or physical condition, such as alcohol or drug related problems, illness, personal stress etc. DAPs should never practise their professional while under the influence of alcohol or mood-altering drugs.

    34. Client - DAP Relationships

  34. DAPs must not form any relationship outside working hours with existing clients (including those in aftercare). It is desirable that they also do not form relationships with former clients or their immediate relatives within three years of the end of any professional contact. However, in some settings where roles are less clear cut, close friendships might grow out of the bond established between DAPs and their clients which do not end when the client leaves the DAP's care. It is recommended in such cases that any regular contact should be reported to and guided by a supervisor.
  35. It is also recommended that DAPs should not form a close personal relationship with former clients (eg as a partner) within five years of the end of any professional contact. In the event of a relationship being formed, DAPs should report the existence of the relationship to their supervisors.
  36. Notwithstanding the provision of Sections
  37. and
  38. above it is recognised that many DAPs are members of 12-Step fellowships. It is recognised that close bonds are formed between members, one or more of whom may be former clients. So long as the DAP does not exploit the relationship for his/her own ends, such relationships are acceptable.
  39. In the event of a DAP having an existing relationship with any client who is referred to an agency in which they work, this should be drawn to the attention of the DAP's supervi
  40. (In paragraphs above the term "relationship" includes but is not limited to mere acquaintances, sexual, social, professional and/or business relationships.)

    41. Standards of Performance

  41. Records and notes made by DAPs must be clear, appropriate, relevant and respectful and must be kept confidential.
  42. DAPs must not attempt to work beyond their competence, except under direct and close supervision.
  43. DAPs should acknowledge the need to be trained to a level appropriate to the work they are asked to perform. DAPs must not present themselves as being more qualified than they are and must seek training where appropri
  44. DAPs must seek to keep their knowledge and skills up-to-date.
  45. DAPs must identify themselves and disclose qualifications when asked to by clients or employers.