At the Robert Alexander Centre for Recovery, we understand how hard it is to admit you have a substance abuse problem. But once you have admitted this, choosing to get the right help for you can be daunting, especially if you are worried about the impact this could have on your personal and professional life.
Much like any other medical facility, staff at drug and alcohol treatment centers are bound by confidentiality clauses and legal requirements in their duty of care for patients receiving treatment.
Inpatient Treatment Rules and Guidance
There are no specific guidelines for determining whether someone needs to be admitted to an inpatient, intensive outpatient program, or residential treatment facility. The choice is usually based on a physician’s and other mental health worker’s assessment and the client’s requests or acknowledged needs. These people aren’t thought to be a serious risk to themselves or others, and they can function relatively freely, but they still require close supervision and structure.
Legal Treatment Center Rules & Regulations To Be Aware Of
Mental health confidentiality rules are essential to protect the rights of anyone seeking or receiving substance misuse treatment. If you have any questions about the treatment centers’ policies, please contact us at Robert Alexander Centre for Recovery.
The Drug Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act (1970) and the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act (1970) are two statutes that deal with the confidentiality of drug and alcohol addiction patients (1972). The Departments of Health, Education, and Welfare created federal regulations in 1975, and the Department of Health and Human Services amended them in 1987. Under the Public Health Service Act, Congress recently confirmed and reformed these statutes.
In 1996, Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA is the industry standard for preserving and maintaining the confidentiality of patient health information, among other things. HIPAA mandates substance addiction treatment clinics, health care professionals, and anyone involved in patient care, such as health plans and health care clearinghouses, to protect patient information when communicated or transferred electronically.
Violations of federal confidentiality restrictions carry serious penalties. Anyone who violates the federal limits on drug and alcohol confidentially faces fines as well as criminal punishment. The fine is up to $500 for the first violation and up to $5,000 for subsequent violations in most cases. In addition, a licensed or state-certified violator’s license or government certification could be revoked. If a patient’s privacy has been violated, he or she is likely to be able to pursue legal action in the form of a lawsuit.
Patient Confidentiality at Robert Alexander Recovery Centre
We take patient privacy very seriously at Robert Alexander Recovery Centre, and all of our personnel are obligated to protect this right for every patient who uses our services. We are dedicated to assisting people recovering from addiction and beginning to live lives free of substance misuse.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we secure your personal information as a patient or the treatment alternatives we offer to help you overcome your addiction.
