Legal and Ethical Issues in the Assessment of Adolescents in Substance Use Disorder Treatment: An Updated Overview

Course overview

Course Description: This course provides an updated, evidence-based overview of the legal and ethical issues that arise when screening, assessing, and treating adolescents for substance use disorders (SUDs). Drawing on current federal regulations, case law, and open-access guidance from federal agencies and public health law experts, the course addresses the 2024 revisions to 42 CFR Part 2, minor consent, parental communication, mandatory child abuse reporting, the duty to warn and protect, juvenile justice considerations, and exceptions to general confidentiality rules. This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate, and advanced-level practitioners who wish to learn more about the legal and ethical framework governing adolescent substance use disorder assessment and treatment. It is also a good resource for licensed therapists who need continuing education in ethics for license renewal. Authors: Compiled from HHS, 42 CFR Part 2, APA, and Teen Health Law Learning Objectives: This course will provide a professional with detailed information about the legal and ethical obligations that govern the assessment of adolescents in substance use disorder treatment. Specifically, the practitioner will: 1. Identify the scope, coverage, and 2024 updates to 42 CFR Part 2, including changes to consent requirements, patient rights, penalties, and breach notification. 2. Apply the rules governing valid consent, parental communication, mandatory child abuse reporting, and exceptions to general confidentiality prohibitions when working with adolescent clients in substance use disorder programs. 3. Distinguish between the duty to warn and the duty to protect as they apply to adolescent clients in substance use disorder treatment, including how these duties interact with federal confidentiality regulations, state variation in law, and juvenile justice system requirements. Citation: Compiled by DiDona (2026). Legal and Ethical Issues in the Assessment of Adolescents in Substance Use Disorder Treatment: An Updated Overview. CE-Classes.com