What is the primary focus of the NAADAC Code of Ethics?

The primary focus of the NAADAC Code of Ethics is to provide ethical standards for addiction professionals in the treatment of clients. This framework establishes the principles and guidelines that addiction counselors should follow to ensure they conduct their practice with integrity, respect, and responsibility. It emphasizes the importance of client welfare, confidentiality, and professional boundaries, thereby guiding practitioners in delivering care that is ethical and effective.

By outlining these ethical standards, the Code helps to safeguard the interests of clients, ensuring they receive quality treatment while promoting trust in the counselor-client relationship. This focus on ethical practice is crucial in the field of addiction, where clients are often vulnerable and in need of support that is both professional and compassionate.

The other choices, while related to the field of addiction counseling, do not reflect the primary purpose of the NAADAC Code of Ethics. For example, establishing guidelines for professional conduct is part of providing ethical standards but is not the sole focus. Promoting research and defining addiction encompass broader aspects of the field that are not specifically addressed by the ethical standards intended for immediate application in professional practice.