Final answer:
The Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records federal statute is designed to protect the privacy of patients receiving treatment for substance abuse or addiction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The federal statute known as Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records is designed to protect the privacy of patients receiving treatment for substance abuse or addiction. The statute requires healthcare providers and programs that treat patients for alcohol or drug abuse to keep their records confidential and prohibits the disclosure of these records without the patient's consent. This protection is essential to encourage individuals to seek treatment without fear of their personal information being shared.
For example, if a patient seeks treatment for substance abuse, their records, including their diagnosis, treatment plans, and progress, are protected under this federal statute. This means that healthcare providers cannot share this information with anyone, including the patient's family members, employers, or other individuals, without the patient's explicit consent.
The Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records statute ensures that individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse can trust that their information will be kept private, allowing them to receive the care they need without fear of negative consequences.