Can a Patient Be Turned in for Alcohol And/or Drug Abuse?

Question by wOW ReALLY: Can a patient be turned in for alcohol and/or drug abuse?
Can a doc turn his patient in for alcohol or drug abuse to the police or social services?

Best answer:

Answer by Danim Morem
No. It is their job to diagnose you and to treat you in any way possible. It is a good thing to mention to your doctor if you had recently consumed or used any form of alcohol or drug to help with diagnosis, but they legally cannot turn you in as it is part of their doctor-patient confidentiality guidelines.

Worst-case scenario: they offer or require rehab/therapy.

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