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Helping social workers with alcohol and other drug problems: Options for intervening with colleagues By Christine Fewell, ACSW, Chair, Peer Consultation Committee and Working with a colleague whom we believe has a problem with alcohol or other drugs can affect us as social workers in many ways. The impaired colleague may also be a friend whose well-being concerns us. We may be concerned about the effect of the impairment on clients and on the morale of the staff, or the impairment may place an additional burden on us as we struggle to fill in for an impaired colleague. Changes in the NASW Code of Ethics adopted by the 1993 Delegate Assembly, which became effective in July 1994 specifically mention substance abuse (along with mental health issues) as an area for which professional help needs to be sought and also requires social workers with direct knowledge of a colleagues's substance abuse to consult with that colleague and assist the colleague to take remedial action. There are various levels of assistance available to help you deal with this issue. One source of help is an in-depth pamphlet about detecting a problem with substance abuse, Helping Social Workers with Alcohol and Other Drug Problems: Options for Intervening with Colleagues. The pamphlet was prepared by the Peer Consultation Committee, a subcommittee of the Committee on Alcoholism and Other Chemical Dependencies and represents the combined efforts of social workers who are experts in the field of substance abuse treatment. The first edition of the pamphlet, which was printed in 1978, was prepared by Christine Fewell, S. Lala Ashenberg Straussner, Craig Evans, Barbara Lee King, Alison Orlin, and Frank Perone. Last year the Chapter printed and distributed an updated version which was prepared by Ms. Fewell, Dr. Straussner, Ms. Dortz and Ms. King. The National office of NASW has accepted this pamphlet as a guideline to be used in assisting a colleague with a substance abuse problem, and has reprinted it under its auspices. Copies of the pamphlet can be obtained by calling the Chapter office, (212) 947-5000. The Peer Consultation Committee is available through its telephone consultation service to discuss with you any situation with a colleague about which you are concerned and to help you evaluate what might be done. The service is completely confidential, voluntary, and has no disciplinary power. A telephone consultation is a good first step in evaluating what direction might be taken in dealing with a colleague. When a colleague refuses to seek treatment, there is a risk that alcohol or other drug abuse may impair the social worker's practice with clients. With the changes in the NASW Code of Ethics it is now the social worker's ethical responsibility to protect clients by reporting possible jeopardy to clients. One option in this situation, usually after other means have been tried, is to file a complaint with the Chapter's Committee on Inquiry which is available to adjudicate any ethical violations, including practicing social work while impaired. In New York State, another option is available in cases where other means have failed. The New York State Office of Professional Discipline (OPD) is the traditional route for protecting the public from harm resulting from impaired professional practice, including practice impaired by alcohol and drug abuse. OPD's investigative and prosecutory procedures may result in a range of penalties including fines, suspensions and loss of license to practice one's profession. Its actions are a matter of public record. The Professional Assistance Program (PAP) was created by the New York State Legislature in 1985 to provide a confidential treatment alternative to the punitive procedures of OPD for alcohol and drug addicted professionals. The PAP is operated by the New York State Regents under the auspices of the New York State Education Department with the active advice and participation of committee members appointed by the Regents. One of the original members and current Chair- person of the committee is Barbara Lee King, CSW, a long time member of the Chapter's Committee on Alcoholism and Other Chemical Dependencies. The PAP staff works closely and confidentially with OPD so that many professionals accused of misconduct related to an alcohol or drug problem are now referred directly to PAP by OPD, and the formal disciplinary procedures are held in abeyance so long as the professional is complying with PAP requirements. PAP can restore a license within days or months of surrender, according to the recommendation of the panel members. PAP is staffed by Ann Eldridge and and Barbara Harshman, CSW. The PAP's active caseload has grown to almost 400 professionals (including nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other health care workers. Physicians and lawyers are licensed by different legal entities), the majority of whom are being monitored by other treatment providers near their homes or jobs after license restoration. Although a major effort of PAP is to assist applicants to appropriate treatment and recovery steps, few professionals are interested in volunteering for the structure and monitoring of the PAP unless worse consequences are threatened from elsewhere. So far, social work employers and colleagues have not made use of the disciplinary threat and the treatment alternative represented by the professional assistance program. However, these remain options for those in our profession who are concerned about professional practice responsibilities and help for alcohol and drug addicted colleagues. If you have questions about whether these options might be appropriate and helpful in a situation with a colleague, someone you supervise, or a staff member, you can call Ms. Harshman at (518) 473-6809. If you would like assistance in evaluating which option might be useful in helping a colleague, you can receive free confidential telephone consultation from the Chapter's Peer Consultation Service, (212) 629-6395.
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