This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.
Programs that handle alcohol and drug cases have to protect the privacy of the people they work with as much as possible. This means clients should feel that their personal information and situation are being kept private, not shared openly where others can hear or see.
To make this happen, programs need to use private rooms or spaces when they meet with clients. This applies to intake meetings, orientations, assessments, case management sessions, and educational appointments. Clients shouldn't have to discuss personal details in a public or open area where others might overhear.
Programs also need to have clear written rules about protecting client privacy when visitors or outside people are present. This means staff should know exactly how to handle situations where someone who doesn't work for the program is in the building, so client information stays protected even then.
