Treatment FAQ

under what circumstance is it acceptable to discontinue sustance abuse treatment

by Howell Gottlieb MD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

What is the difference between Part 2 Substance abuse disorder disclosure limitations?

There are two main differences between Part 2 substance abuse disorder disclosure limitations and the HIPAA Privacy Rule disclosure limitations. The HIPAA Privacy Rule permits disclosures without patient consent for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.

What is Chapter 5 of NCBI specialized substance abuse treatment programs?

Chapter 5—Specialized Substance Abuse Treatment Programs - A Guide to Substance Abuse Services for Primary Care Clinicians - NCBI Bookshelf Primary care clinicians need to be familiar with available treatment resources for their patients who have diagnosed substance abuse or dependence disorders.

What is the leave for treatment of substance abuse?

29 CFR § 825.119 - Leave for treatment of substance abuse. § 825.119 Leave for treatment of substance abuse. (a) Substance abuse may be a serious health condition if the conditions of §§ 825.113 through 825.115 are met.

What are the confidentiality rules for substance abuse treatment programs?

This practice is actually required by the Federal confidentiality regulations. §2.22 of the regulations requires that substance abuse treatment programs give all clients a notice describing the confidentiality rules, as well as their exceptions (which include mandatory child abuse reporting), upon admission or as soon thereafter as possible.

What should be done to stop substance abuse?

Here are the top five ways to prevent substance abuse:Understand how substance abuse develops. ... Avoid Temptation and Peer Pressure. ... Seek help for mental illness. ... Examine the risk factors. ... Keep a well-balanced life.More items...•

Why is it important to get away from drug use?

Reducing or quitting drugs can improve your life in many ways. It can: improve your physical and mental wellbeing. reduce your risk of permanent damage to vital organs and death.

What are the exceptions to 42 CFR part 2?

There are a few limited exceptions when providers can make disclosures without a patient's written consent, including: Internal communications. Medical emergencies. Reports of alleged child abuse or neglect (if required by state law)

How does the DSM 5 define withdrawal?

In both DSM-IV and DSM-5, withdrawal is manifested by either (1) a person having the characteristic withdrawal symptoms for the substance, or (2) a person using the same or closely related substance to avoid the substance-specific withdrawal symptoms.

Is it important to be sober?

Getting and staying sober can be a catalyst to help you to change other areas of your life, including your overall physical health. Just getting sober does not automatically lead to health, but it can give you the ability to eat better, sleep better, and get more exercise.

What is a reason to avoid using alcohol?

Long-Term Health Risks. Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including: High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems. Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum.

What is a patient required to do in order for a request to restrict the use or disclosure of their PHI to their health plan to be granted?

A covered entity is required to agree to an individual's request to restrict the disclosure of their PHI to a health plan when both of the following conditions are met: (1) the disclosure is for payment or health care operations and is not otherwise required by law; and (2) the PHI pertains solely to a health care item ...

What is the purpose of 42 CFR part 2?

The 42 CFR Part 2 regulations (Part 2) serve to protect patient records created by federally assisted programs for the treatment of substance use disorders (SUD).

What is the difference between 42 CFR Part 2 and Hipaa?

When one regulation imposes a stricter standard than the other, the covered entity must follow the stricter standard. Generally, 42 CFR Part 2 imposes more strict standards than does HIPAA. 42 CFR Part 2's general rule places privacy and confidentiality restrictions upon substance use disorder treatment records.

What is the minimum number of DSM-5 criteria that must be met in order for someone to be diagnosed with substance use disorder?

Three Levels of Severity Two or three symptoms indicate a mild substance use disorder; four or five symptoms indicate a moderate substance use disorder, and six or more symptoms indicate a severe substance use disorder.

What is the criteria for substance dependence?

The substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended. There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use. A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance, use the substance, or recover from its effects.

What are the four primary symptom clusters of substance use disorders in the DSM-5?

These criteria fall under four basic categories — impaired control, physical dependence, social problems and risky use: Using more of a substance than intended or using it for longer than you're meant to.

When does a consent form remain in effect?

Whether a consent form remains in effect when a program merges with another program or undergoes corporate restructuring depends on how the entity making the disclosure is identified on the consent form.

What is a brief intervention?

Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is a cluster of activities designed to identify people who engage in risky substance use or who might meet the criteria for a formal substance use disorder. Clinical findings indicate that the overwhelming majority of individuals screened in a general medical setting do not have a substance use disorder and do not need substance use disorder treatment.

Is same sex marriage a SAMHSA policy?

Consistent with HHS policy, same-sex spouses/marriages are to be recognized in SAMHSA regulatory provisions. This means that, as a person or entity subject to SAMHSA’s confidentiality regulation governing alcohol and drug abuse patient records, this policy applies to you.

Can a patient revoke a multiparty consent?

Yes. Under 42 CFR Part 2 (hereafter referred to as “Part 2”), a patient can revoke consent to one or more parties named in a multi-party consent form while leaving the rest of the consent in effect. In a non-Health Information Exchange (HIE) environment, this can be accomplished simply by the Part 2 program indicating on the consent form or in the patient’s record that consent has been revoked with respect to one or more named parties. In an HIE environment, the revocation with respect to one or more parties should be clearly communicated to the Health Information Organization (HIO) as well as noted in the patient’s record by the Part 2 program.

Is same sex marriage protected by SAMHSA?

Windsor, the Supreme Court held that section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prohibited federal recognition of same-sex spouses/marriages, was unconstitutional. Consistent with HHS policy, same-sex spouses/marriages are to be recognized in SAMHSA regulatory provisions. This means that, as a person or entity subject to SAMHSA’s confidentiality regulation governing alcohol and drug abuse patient records, this policy applies to you. The regulation contains a provision, that is affected by the Windsor decision, which addresses consent on behalf of incompetent or deceased patients and provides that in the absence of a personal representative, consent to disclosure of information identifying a deceased patient as an alcohol or drug abuse patient may be given by the patient’s spouse or, if none, by any responsible member of the patient’s family. See 42 C.F.R. § 2.15 (b) (2). SAMHSA now interprets this provision to include same-sex spouses in the meaning of the terms “spouse” and “family.” This means that, for purposes of this provision under 42 C.F.R. Part 2, you are required to treat as valid the marriages of same-sex couples whose marriage was legal when entered into. This applies regardless of whether the couple now lives in a jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex marriage or a jurisdiction that does not recognize same-sex marriage. Any same-sex marriage legally entered into in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, a U.S. territory or a foreign country will be recognized. However, this does not apply to registered domestic partnerships, civil unions or similar formal relationships recognized under state law as something other than a marriage.

Do restrictions on disclosure apply to child abuse?

Reports of child abuse and neglect: The restrictions on disclosure do not apply to the reporting under State law of incidents of suspected child abuse and neglect to the appropriate State or local authorities.

Can a primary care provider prescribe controlled substances?

No. Not every primary care provider who prescribes controlled substances meets the definition of a “program” or part of a “program” under Part 2. For providers to be considered “programs” covered by the Part 2 regulations, they must be both ”federally-assisted” and meet the definition of a program under 42 CFR § 2.11. Physicians who prescribe controlled substances to treat substance use disorders are DEA-licensed and thus meet the test for federal assistance [42 CFR § 2.12 (b) (2)]. Nevertheless, the regulations establish additional criteria to meet the definition of a “program”:

When substance abuse disorder programs operating under Part 2 disclose information pursuant to a consent form, must they include a?

In addition, when substance abuse disorder programs operating under Part 2 disclose information pursuant to a consent form, they must include a written statement that the information cannot be redisclosed.

What is a Part 2 consent form?

In light of HIPAA, a Part 2 consent form must include the following elements: The date, the event, or condition upon which consent will expire if consent has not been previously revoked. In addition, when substance abuse disorder programs operating under Part 2 disclose information pursuant to a consent form, they must include a written statement ...

When is a patient medical emergency?

When there is a patient medical emergency. When state law requires the reporting of incidents of suspected child abuse and neglect to the appropriate state or local authorities. When there are communications from part 2 program personnel to law enforcement agencies or officials which are directly related to a patient’s commission ...

Can SUD records be disclosed?

As noted above, SUD medical record information may be disclosed if the patient consents to the disclosure.

Can a patient disclose substance abuse?

However, for patients with substance abuse disorders, such disclosures may lead to stigma and discrimination by healthcare providers, the potential loss of insurance, and even loss of employment. As noted above, Part 2 substance use disorder treatment regulations require either that a patient consent, or that the disclosure be permitted ...

What should a counselor do if the client is continuing to abuse the child?

What should a counselor do if the client is continuing to abuse the child, the counselor knows this, and the counselor is asked to submit a report? First, if a counselor believes that her client is continuing to abuse a child and that the child's life or health is in danger, the counselor can make another "initial" report to the CPS agency (even when no report has been requested).

How to limit the potential damage to the therapeutic relationship?

The first is to inform the client about the mandatory reporting law at the time of admission ( Watson and Levine, 1989 ). This practice is actually required by the Federal confidentiality regulations. §2.22 of the regulations requires that substance abuse treatment programs give all clients a notice describing the confidentiality rules, as well as their exceptions (which include mandatory child abuse reporting), upon admission or as soon thereafter as possible. (The regulations contain a sample notice at §2.22 (d) that may be used for this purpose.) This practice is also endorsed by the American Psychological Association and the Code of Ethics for Social Workers ( Kalichman, 1993 ).

What happens if a counselor fails to disclose information?

Counselors must keep in mind that they may communicate with or respond to requests for information only when the proposed communication conforms to one of the Federal regulations' narrow exceptions permitting a disclosure. If a counselor fails to abide by Federal confidentiality rules, an unpleasant and expensive lawsuit may be brought against the program and possibly the counselor. Moreover, if word spreads that the program fails to protect information about its clients, it may have a difficult time in retaining its clients' confidence and in attracting new clients into its treatment services (as well as the possibility of professional sanctions and relicensing difficulties).

What is the role of a substance abuse counselor?

Treatment providers, therefore, will often need to interact with the legal and child protective systems. The way in which counselors interact with these agencies will vary from case to case. The counselor may have to contact a CPS agency to report a client suspected of child abuse, or the legal system may contact the counselor for information about a client's participation in a treatment program. Whatever the nature of the interaction with CPS agencies or the legal system, counselors need to be aware of their legal responsibilities.

What is the role of a counselor in a child abuse investigation?

The counselor's role can be critical for a client involved in a child abuse or neglect investigation or proceeding. Getting the client to sign a consent form allowing communication and joint service planning can be an important first step (see Appendix B ). The counselor can help a client understand what is happening, help her stay focused on what needs to be accomplished, and provide support and encouragement. However, to offer the client sound assistance the counselor needs some basic information:

What is child abuse?

Most States define abuse as an act or failure to act that results in nonaccidental physical injury or sexual abuse of a child. Neglect generally includes the denial of adequate food, shelter, supervision, clothing, or medical care when such resources or services are available. As noted in Chapter 1, each State defines abuse and neglect differently, and the conditions considered to be neglect or abuse in one State may not be the same in others. Because State law often requires that treatment providers report suspected abuse and neglect, treatment staff should become familiar with their State's definitions of abuse and neglect. Staff can contact the State's CPS agency for information on current laws. (If the abuse occurred in another State, or if the perpetrator is currently living in another State, it is wise to check on the laws in the other State to ensure compliance. At times, there may be a need to report in both States.) Readers can also find State statutory child abuse and neglect definitions on the Internet at http://www.calib.com/nccanch/services/statutes.htm. Federal definitions of these terms appear in the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, 42 U.S.C. §5106 (g). In some cases, the CPS agency can be consulted regarding whether or not a report must be made in a particular situation without divulging confidential (i.e., identifying) information. Consultation with the CPS agency must be done with great care, and this communication can be noted in the client's chart.

What are the laws that protect children from abuse and neglect?

All 50 States and the District of Columbia have statutes that protect children from abuse and neglect by their parents or others. There are criminal statutes prohibiting certain acts (or failures to act), violation of which may lead to imprisonment. There are also civil statutes that prohibit abuse and neglect. If these statutes are violated, the court may impose requirements that parents accept certain kinds of help (such as substance abuse treatment, parenting classes, or anger management training), that their children be removed from the home, or that their parental rights be terminated.

What is the cures act?

The Cures Act addresses many critical issues including leadership and accountability for behavioral health disorders at the federal level, the importance of evidence-based programs and prevention of mental and substance use disorders, and the imperative to coordinate efforts across government. The Cures Act established the position ...

What is the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act?

The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) of 2016 authorizes over $181 million each year (must be appropriated each year) to respond to the epidemic of opioid abuse, and is intended to greatly increase both prevention programs and the availability of treatment programs. CARA launched an evidence-based opioid and heroin treatment and interventions program; strengthened prescription drug monitoring programs to help states monitor and track prescription drug diversion and to help at-risk individuals access services; expanded prevention and educational efforts—particularly aimed at teens, parents and other caretakers, and aging populations—to prevent the abuse of opioids and heroin and to promote treatment and recovery; expanded recovery support for students in high school or enrolled in institutions of higher learning; and expanded resources to identify and treat incarcerated individuals suffering from addiction disorders promptly by collaborating with criminal justice stakeholders and by providing evidence-based treatment. CARA also expanded the availability of naloxone to law enforcement agencies and other first responders to help in the reversal of overdoses to save lives. CARA also reauthorizes a grant program for residential opioid addiction treatment of pregnant and postpartum women and their children and creates a pilot program for state substance abuse agencies to address identified gaps in the continuum of care, including non-residential treatment services.

What is the SUPPORT Act?

SUPPORT Act. H.R. 6, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act of 2018, was made law to address the nation’s opioid overdose epidemic. The legislation includes provisions to strengthen the behavioral health workforce through increasing addiction medicine education;

What is the purpose of the National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory?

The Cures Act created the National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory (Policy Lab). The Policy Lab is working to promote evidence-based practices and service delivery models, and evaluating models that would benefit from further development and expansion.

What is the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act?

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 requires insurance groups offering coverage for mental health or substance use disorders to make these benefits comparable to general medical coverage. Deductibles, copays, out-of-pocket maximums, treatment limitations, etc., for mental health or substance use disorders must be no more restrictive than the same requirements or benefits offered for other medical care.

What is the Affordable Care Act?

The Affordable Care Act of 2010 is one aspect of a broader movement toward reforming the health care system. The Affordable Care Act makes health insurance more affordable for individuals, families, and small business owners.

What is the ADA?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended in 2008, establishes requirements for equal opportunities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications for citizens with disabilities—including people with mental illnesses and addictions.

When does a consent form remain in effect?

Whether a consent form remains in effect when a program merges with another program or undergoes corporate restructuring depends on how the entity making the disclosure is identified on the consent form.

What is Part 2 consent form?

However, Part 2 also requires a consent form to specify the kind and amount of information that can be disclosed to each of the recipients named in the consent.

Is a QSO a Part 2 program?

Yes. 42 CFR § 2.11 defines “Qualified Service Organization (QSO)” and lists the types of services that a QSO provides, and further references Qualified Service Organization Agreements (QSOA). Medical services are included on that list and thus a Part 2 program can enter into a QSOA with providers of “on-call coverage.”.

Does SAMHSA require oral revocation?

While oral revocations must be honored under Part 2, SAMHSA recommends the entity obtaining the revocation get it in writing and/or document the revocation in the patient’s record. Part 2 prohibits a program from making a disclosure on the basis of a consent which it knows has been revoked.

Can a patient revoke a multiparty consent?

Yes. Under 42 CFR Part 2 (hereafter referred to as “Part 2”), a patient can revoke consent to one or more parties named in a multi-party consent form while leaving the rest of the consent in effect. In a non-Health Information Exchange (HIE) environment, this can be accomplished simply by the Part 2 program indicating on the consent form or in the patient’s record that consent has been revoked with respect to one or more named parties. In an HIE environment, the revocation with respect to one or more parties should be clearly communicated to the Health Information Organization (HIO) as well as noted in the patient’s record by the Part 2 program.

Is a controlled substance program federally assisted?

No. Not every primary care provider who prescribes controlled substances meets the definition of a “program” or part of a “program” under Part 2. For providers to be considered “programs” covered by the Part 2 regulations, they must be both ”federally-assisted” and meet the definition of a program under 42 CFR § 2.11.

Do restrictions on disclosure apply to child abuse?

Reports of child abuse and neglect: The restrictions on disclosure do not apply to the reporting under State law of incidents of suspected child abuse and neglect to the appropriate State or local authorities.

What does it mean when a therapist is unable or unwilling to provide care?

Therapist is unable or unwilling, for appropriate reasons, to continue to provide care ( e.g., therapist is retiring/closing practice or client threatened therapist with violence).

What happens if a social worker does not terminate a client-therapist relationship?

If the social worker does not properly terminate the client-therapist relationship, the social worker exposes himself to allegations of abandonment which could lead to a lawsuit, a complaint to the state licensing board , or a request for professional review by the NASW Ethics Committee. [3] .

What is a termination of treatment letter?

It is good practice for a social worker to draft a termination of treatment letter to every client once treatment has ended, regardless of the reason, to formally end the therapeutic relationship. This provides clarity to the client, and it helps avoid any implication that the social worker has an ongoing therapeutic responsibility. The termination letter would be in the form of a business letter and include:

How to address termination of therapy?

It is best that clients not feel that they have been abandoned, for the sake of the client as well as the social worker. If continued treatment is needed, the social worker must make an effort to assist the client in obtaining ongoing services to ensure that these needs are adequately addressed. Proper documentation of the termination of the therapeutic relationship with the client will provide support for the social workers’ effort to meet the clients’ needs as treatment ends.

Why does therapy end?

Ideally, termination occurs once the client and therapist agree that the treatment goals have been met or sufficient progress has been made and/or the client improves and no longer needs clinical services. However, there are many valid reasons that are discussed below as to why the therapist-client relationship may end the treatment before it is completed. Some of those reasons include:

What is termination in social work?

The NASW Social Work Dictionary defines termination as: “The conclusion of the social worker –client intervention process; a systematic procedure for disengaging the working relationship.

Why does a therapist end a client's treatment?

Some of those reasons include: Client has mental health needs that are beyond the social worker’s area of expertise.

Why are people reluctant to seek treatment for substance abuse?

People may be reluctant to seek addiction treatment because of high treatment costs and low accessibility, denial of their substance use disorder, societal stigma and time constraints. The vast majority of people who need treatment for substance use disorders do not seek it.

What are the reasons for avoiding treatment?

Decades of research supports common themes for avoiding treatment: cost, denial, stigma, work and lack of awareness or knowledge. Psychological characteristics, lifestyles and environmental factors all contribute to the excuses.

Why do people with substance use disorders fear judgement?

People with substance use disorders fear the judgment of society, friends and loved ones because addiction has become stigmatized. A 2014 Johns Hopkins study found Americans are more likely to have negative opinions of people with substance use disorders than other mental illnesses.

How long does it take to recover from addiction?

The more time and dedication a person devotes to getting better, the less likely a relapse. But most people battling addiction don’t want to take a 90-day break from their lives to attend rehab. More than three-quarters of people with substance use disorders possess jobs.

How many people are battling addiction?

More than 20 million people battling addiction require treatment to recover. Some people can quit using alcohol or other drugs with the help of family, friends or support groups. However, people with substance use disorders need professional help to get better.

What is the most common response to substance use disorder?

“I don’t have a problem” might be the most common response people with substance use disorders give for not attending rehab. The other might be “I can quit on my own.”

How long does inpatient rehab last?

Insurance plans don’t always cover inpatient residential care or treatment for more than 30 days. In general, experts recommend at least 90 days of inpatient rehab for severe cases of addiction.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9