Ethical Issues When Social Workers Specialize in Addictions
Social workers that specialize in addictions can face many ethical issues while trying to help their client achieve sobriety. A social worker needs to focus on human relations, trust building, allowing the client to make independent decisions, and to show an acceptance and respect for the client regardless of the situation.
One ethical issue is if a woman is seeking help for substance abuse and she discloses that she is pregnant. The pregnant substance abuser is now making choices that not only affect her life and well-being but her fetus’ life and development. The social worker has the choice to report the pregnant substance abuser which arguably could violate NASW code of ethics …show more content…
Criminalizing perinatal substance abuse denies the mother, her fetus, and even other living children in her care this basic right” (Lambert, Scheiner & Campbell, 2010, p.171). She may suffer from poor education, poverty, limited job opportunities, and lack of health care. The pregnant drug addict is still the client, and she still has a need; sobriety. The social worker should consider the welfare of both patients, but always contribute to their welfare in a positive manner to encourage behaviors that will do more good than harm (Lambert, Scheiner & Campbell, 2010).
Ethical issues will arise in every social worker’s career life, it is important to abide by the core values of the social work profession in order to handle each situation or client with the appropriate care response for the best possible outcome.
Core Values of the Social Work Profession
The book Direct Social Work Practice Theory and Skills by Dean Hepworth et al., discusses the core values of the social work profession:
1. “Social workers’ professional relationships are built on regard for individual worth and dignity, and are advanced by mutual participation, acceptance, confidentiality, honestly, and responsible handling of conflict” (p.7).
2. “Social workers respect the individual’s right to make independent decisions and to participate actively in the helping process”
Social workers that specialize in addictions can face many ethical issues while trying to help their client achieve sobriety. A social worker needs to focus on human relations, trust building, allowing the client to make independent decisions, and to show an acceptance and respect for the client regardless of the situation.
One ethical issue is if a woman is seeking help for substance abuse and she discloses that she is pregnant. The pregnant substance abuser is now making choices that not only affect her life and well-being but her fetus’ life and development. The social worker has the choice to report the pregnant substance abuser which arguably could violate NASW code of ethics …show more content…
Criminalizing perinatal substance abuse denies the mother, her fetus, and even other living children in her care this basic right” (Lambert, Scheiner & Campbell, 2010, p.171). She may suffer from poor education, poverty, limited job opportunities, and lack of health care. The pregnant drug addict is still the client, and she still has a need; sobriety. The social worker should consider the welfare of both patients, but always contribute to their welfare in a positive manner to encourage behaviors that will do more good than harm (Lambert, Scheiner & Campbell, 2010).
Ethical issues will arise in every social worker’s career life, it is important to abide by the core values of the social work profession in order to handle each situation or client with the appropriate care response for the best possible outcome.
Core Values of the Social Work Profession
The book Direct Social Work Practice Theory and Skills by Dean Hepworth et al., discusses the core values of the social work profession:
1. “Social workers’ professional relationships are built on regard for individual worth and dignity, and are advanced by mutual participation, acceptance, confidentiality, honestly, and responsible handling of conflict” (p.7).
2. “Social workers respect the individual’s right to make independent decisions and to participate actively in the helping process”