Outline the ethical obligations that we have toward colleagues impaired by alcohol or drugs

Impaired colleagues place clients at risk. The nature of substance abuse is such that even fine practitioners begin to experience behavioral difficulties such as absenteeism, illogical decision making, and excessive errors. Guided by the principle of nonmaleficence, the question that must be faced is not whether the practitioner has a duty to intervene, but rather the manner of the intervention. Where possible, it is best that the individual be encouraged to seek the help independently; where not possible, help must still be obtained in order to protect the patients and salvage the practitioner. Regardless of how the process goes, the basic elements are that the practitioner receives effective help and that those with knowledge of the situation treat the impaired colleague humanely, as we would any patient who needed our assistance.