Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) Canon of Ethical Principles

Per OASAS Part 853.19 Credentialing of Addictions Professionals, the CASAC, CASAC-Trainee and CASAC-Provisional must: 

1. Practice objectivity and integrity; maintain the highest standards in the services offered; respect the values, attitudes and opinions of others; and provide services only in an appropriate professional relationship.
2. Not discriminate in work-related activities based on age, race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status or domestic violence victim status or other basis proscribed by law.
3. Respect the integrity and protect the welfare of the person or group with whom the counselor is working.
4. Embrace, as a primary obligation, the duty of protecting the privacy of service recipients and must not disclose confidential information or records under their control in strict accordance with federal, state and local laws.
5. Not engage in dual relationships as defined in this Part 853.3(h). If a credentialed professional engages in conduct contrary to this prohibition or claims that an exception to this prohibition is warranted because of extraordinary circumstances, it is the credentialed professional who assumes the full burden of demonstrating that the former service recipient has not been exploited, coerced, or manipulated, intentionally or unintentionally.
6. Not engage in sexual activities or sexual contact with current or former service recipients (lack of consent is presumed).
7. Not engage in behavior that is harassing or demeaning, including, but not limited to, sexual harassment.
8. Not exploit service recipients or others over whom they have a position of authority.
9. Treat colleagues and other professionals with respect, courtesy and fairness and cooperate in order to serve the best interests of their service recipients.
10. Notify appropriate authorities, including employers and OASAS, when they have direct knowledge of a colleague's impairment, Code of Conduct violations or misconduct which may interfere with treatment effectiveness and place service recipients and others at risk.
11. Recognize the effects of their own impairment on professional performance and must not provide services that create conflict of interest or impair work performance and clinical judgment.
12. Cooperate with investigations, proceedings, and requirements of OASAS or other authorities with jurisdiction over those charged with a violation of any statue, regulation or rule.
13. Not participate in the filing of frivolous ethics complaints or which have a purpose other than to protect the public.
14. Assure that financial practices are in accord with professional standards that safeguard the best interests of the service recipient, the counselor and the profession.
15. Take reasonable steps to ensure that documentation in records is accurate, sufficient and timely thereby ensuring appropriateness and continuity of services provided to service recipients.
16. Uphold the legal and accepted moral codes which pertain to professional conduct.
17. Recognize the need for ongoing education to maintain current competence, and to improve expertise and skills.
18. Acknowledge the limits of present knowledge in public statements concerning alcoholism and substance abuse. The Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor must report fairly and accurately the appropriate information and must acknowledge and document materials and techniques used.
19. Assign credit to all who have contributed to the published material and for the work upon which publication is based.
20. Strive to inform the public, of the effects of alcoholism and substance abuse. The Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor must adopt a personal and professional stance which promotes the well-being of the recovery community.

Per OASAS Part 853.13 the following constitutes misconduct by a CASAC, CASAC-Trainee and CASAC-Provisional:

1. Obtaining the credential or designation fraudulently.
2. Practicing or providing services fraudulently, with gross incompetence, with gross negligence on a particular occasion or negligence or incompetence on more than one occasion, or otherwise acting contrary to the interests of a service recipient.
3. Practicing or providing services while under the influence of alcohol and/or other substances.
4. Violating any term or condition or limitation imposed by the Office on the credentialed professional.
5. Refusing to provide services to a person, individual, organization or community because of race, creed, color, gender, age, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.
6. Being convicted of or committing an act constituting a crime under New York state law, federal law, or the law of another jurisdiction which, if committed within New York, would constitute a crime in this state.
7. Promoting the inappropriate sale of services, goods, property or drugs in such manner as to exploit a service recipient for the financial gain of the certified/credentialed professional or of a third party.
8. Directly or indirectly offering, giving, soliciting or receiving, or agreeing to receive, any fee, or other consideration to or from a third party for the referral of a service recipient in connection with the performance of addiction services.
9. Entering into a dual relationship with a service recipient or former service recipient that is outside the boundaries of professional conduct.
10. Initiating or pursuing a romantic, sexual or otherwise sexually exploitive relationship or committing sexual misconduct with a service recipient using romantic/sexual comments or touch, romantic/sexual contact in written, telephonic, or electronic format including but not limited to social media, text messaging, email, photos, videos or recordings of a romantic or sexual nature.
11. Engaging in any conduct which would constitute a “reportable incident” as such terms are defined in Part 836 of this Title.
12. Failure by the applicant or credentialed professional to notify the Office of any disciplinary action taken against him or her as the holder of any other license or certification issued by New York state or any other federal or state authority.
13. Professional misconduct as the holder of another license or credential.
14. Unlawful use of the title Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor, Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee, Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Provisional, Credentialed Prevention Professional, Credentialed Prevention Specialist or Credentialed Problem Gambling Counselor, including use of such title if a credential is inactive, deactivated, suspended, expired or revoked, or is pending approval of reciprocity.
15. No person shall use any of the following titles to engage in private practice unless otherwise authorized by law: Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC), Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee (CASAC trainee), Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Provisional, Credentialed Prevention Professional (CPP), Credentialed Prevention Specialist (CPS), or Credentialed Problem Gambling Counselor (CPGC).
16. Knowingly working outside of the scope of practice of the credential as applicable in the work setting.