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By Fredrick Norfleet
Tuesday, March 4, 2021
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Ethical Codes and Principles in Addictions Assessment: Examples
A description of one example from the scenario, 'Starting the Process' (2012b), that demonstrates the female
professional followed the APA and NAADC ethical codes and principles follows:
Example One:
FEMALE SPEAKER: Hello, Mr. Edward. Thank you for coming in today. My job
today is to ask you several questions so we can determine what type of
treatment might be best for you. OK? Once we are done asking some questions
and getting some basic information, I'm going to have you fill out some
paperwork. Is that OK with you? Mr. Edward, did you understand what I said?
MALE SPEAKER: Yeah, yeah, that's fine, whatever.
Source: Starting the Process (2012b)
In the example mentioned above, the female speaker/addiction professional followed 'Section II
Documentation' of The Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) code of ethics. The female
speaker/addiction professional notified, i.e., disclosed to the male speaker/client that he would have to fill out
some paperwork' (Starting the Process, 2012b). It is also essential to know the signed paperwork completed
by the male speaker/client to establish the assessment documentation satisfies the mandate set by the
NAACD for the provider to create and maintain proper documentation. Section II Documentation of The
Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADC) code of ethics states, 'Addiction Professionals shall create
and maintain appropriate documentation. Providers shall ensure that records and documentation kept in any
medium (i.e., cloud, laptop, flash drive, external hard drive, tablet, computer, paper, etc.) are secure and in
compliance with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 and that only authorized persons have access to them. Providers
shall disclose to the client within informed consent how records shall be stored, maintained, and disposed of,
and shall include time frames for maintaining active file, storage, and disposal' (The Association for
Addiction Professionals, 2013).
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A description of one example from the scenario, 'Starting the Process' (2012b), demonstrates a lack of
adherence to ethical codes and principles of the APA and NAADC ethical codes and principles follows:
Example Two:
FEMALE SPEAKER: You know, Mr. Edward, I do really understand that. I have a daughter myself that I
would do anything for. And I do understand how much you must really love your son. Do you ever do
anything with your son, fun activities, bike riding, running marathons, anything like that?
MALE SPEAKER: We just, I don't know, we throw the ball around and I mean
take him places he wants to go, yeah, sure, of course.
FEMALE SPEAKER: OK, OK. Well, the reason I say that is because I have a website that me and a
colleague have developed to provide parents some suggestions on how to improve the relationships with
their children. And we have some really good suggestions on there in terms of fun activities to do and ways
to engage your children. So there is small fee on there. But certainly, if you're interested, I'll be more than
happy to give you my website after the interview.
Would you be all right with that?
Source: Starting the Process (2012b)
In the example mentioned above, the female speaker/addiction professional violated 'Section 3: Human
Relations Subsection .06 Conflict of Interest' of the American Psychological Association, Ethical principles
of psychologist code of conduct. The female speaker/addiction professional solicited business from the
client. To coagulate the violation, the female speaker/ addiction professional notified the male speaker/client
that 'there is a small fee' (Starting the Process, 2012b). It is also essential to know that the female
speaker/addiction professional has good intentions; nevertheless, she cannot profit from her role as an
addiction professional to the client. Section 3: Human Relations, subsection .06 Conflict of interest, of the
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American Psychological Association, Ethical principles of psychologist and code of conduct states'
Psychologists refrain from taking on a professional role when personal, scientific, professional, legal,
financial, or other interests or relationships could reasonably be expected to (1) impair their objectivity,
competence, or effectiveness in performing their functions as psychologists or (2) expose the person or
organization with whom the professional relationship exists to harm or exploitation (American Psychological
Association, 2013).
References:
Laureate Education (Producer). (2012b). Starting the process [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://class.waldenu.edu
The Association for Addiction Professionals. (2013). NAADAC code of ethics. Retrieved from
http://www.naadac.org/resouces/codeofethics
American Psychological Association. (2013). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct.
Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx
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