Ethics

The American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence’s Board of Directors resolves that programs and individuals will:

• Ensure that patients are treated with compassion, respect and dignity regardless of race, creed, age, sex, handicaps or sexual orientations.

• Retain competent and responsible personnel who will adhere to a strict code of professional ethics including but not limited to the prohibition of fraternization with patients, exploitation of patients and criminal behavior.

• Subscribe to the treatment principles as published in the CSAT TIP 43, Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction in Opioid Treatment Programs, which serve as a resource in making therapeutic treatment decisions.

• Provide patients with accurate and complete information regarding methadone treatment, the nature of available services and the availability of alternative treatment modalities prior to admission and throughout the treatment process.

• Ensure that discharge from treatment is conducted in accordance with sound and medically acceptable practice. The patient will be assured of due process if the discharge is administrative in nature.

• Provide a safe and clean environment for patients and staff that is conducive to the therapeutic process.

• Remain in compliance with the required Federal, State and local operating standards.

• Take all necessary and appropriate measures to maintain individual patient records and information in a confidential and professional manner.

• Strive to maintain good relations with its surrounding community and pursue every reasonable action to encourage responsible patient behavior and community safety.