can a doctor report a patient to the police for doing drugs

No. Your doctor isn’t legally allowed to report drug use to the police. The only situations in which doctors can break confidentially is if there’s concern about someone seriously harming themselves or others.

Full Answer

Do doctors report drug addiction to the police?

A doctor might also report it if you tell him you are going to commit a crime (IE knock over a liquor store so you can but some crack). But they aren't going to call the cops and tell them you are a user because the addiction, and the health problems arising from it, are medical issues that you are under his treatment for.

Will my doctor call the cops if I'm a drug user?

But they aren't going to call the cops and tell them you are a user because the addiction, and the health problems arising from it, are medical issues that you are under his treatment for. Nope. That’s not our job. There are a limited number of things that we are permitted to disclose to the police.

Do you have to inform the police of drug dealing?

We are mandated to inform the police of any gunshot injuries, stabbings and certain incidents related to the road traffic act. If an individual presented with a large quantity of illicit drugs, likely to be for dealing, we would speak to the hospital legal team to discuss whether we needed to disclose to the police. No.

Do doctors report illegal drug use to the DMV?

Doctors can and will report illegal drug use to the DMV, they can do it confidentially. All they have to say is that you are a possible risk to yourself or others while operating a vehicle. I've personally had this happen and it was a huge hassle. It's up to the doctor, so make sure you are on their good side, because my doctor did it out of spite.

Who can disclose mental health records?

Why is disclosure of patient information required?

About this website

Is what you tell your doctor confidential?

A: Your doctor will keep the details of what you talk about private, or confidential. The only times when your doctor cannot honor your privacy is when someone is hurting you or you are going to hurt yourself or someone else.

What should you not tell your doctor?

The 10 Worst Things Patients Can Say to PhysiciansAnything that is not 100 percent truthful. ... Anything condescending, loud, hostile, or sarcastic. ... Anything related to your health care when we are off the clock. ... Complaining about other doctors. ... Anything that is a huge overreaction.More items...•

Can you get in trouble for telling a doctor about drug use?

No. Your doctor isn't legally allowed to report drug use to the police. The only situations in which doctors can break confidentially is if there's concern about someone seriously harming themselves or others.

Do doctors judge you?

A 2016 survey of U.S. physicians found that 2 out of 5 judge their patients. Doctors of all specialties report judging, but more emergency room (ER) doctors admit to doing this than other types of doctors. Such judgments affect the quality and type of care doctors give.

What to do if you know you have a substance use problem?

If you know you have a substance use problem, it’s time to talk to your doctor, even if the drug (s) you’re using are illegal. The point of talking to your doctor is to seek and obtain the kind of treatment that will help you stop abusing drugs and end your addiction. Your doctor can help you find the right treatment.

What is the biggest fear people face when just thinking about admitting substance use to their doctor?

The biggest fear people face when just thinking about admitting substance use to their doctor is consequences. Discomfort grows when a person is using an illegal substance. The biggest fear is being reported to the authorities. Thanks to doctor-patient confidentiality, this fear is often only as big as you make it.

What is the oath of a doctor?

The oath serves as a sort of moral guide , and medical practitioners must abide by a code of ethics. While doctor’s view patient-physician confidentiality as a fundamental tenet of their code of ethics, they are bound to abide by it within the constraints of the law. Harm Must be Reported: By law and ethics, a doctor must report severe bodily injury.

Can a doctor discuss drug use?

A doctor cannot discuss the information you share in confidence, and if they do, you can take legal recourse, even when admitting something like heroin or cocaine use. If you choose to talk to your doctor about illegal substance use, you can, in most cases, rest assured that your conversation will remain confidential.

Can drug use affect insurance?

Those records can then be submitted to your insurance agency, and they can then use those records to increase premiums, deny payment, or deny coverage for certain conditions and/or procedures. It is possible that admitting to drug use could affect future coverage when most needed.

Do doctors report injuries?

Harm Must be Reported: By law and ethics, a doctor must report severe bodily injury. For example, if a doctor were to fail to report a bullet or gunshot wound, a powder burn, or other injury resulting from the discharge of a gun or firearm, they risk a Class A misdemeanor.

Can insurance deny surgery?

The patient’s insurance agency can deny coverage of the surgery by stating the patient was documented as using an illegal or controlled substance that is known to cause heart problems when used regularly or long term. This “insurance loophole” doesn’t apply to legal addictive substances, like alcohol and cigarettes.

Who can disclose mental health records?

Under these provisions, a health care provider may disclose patient information, including information from mental health records, if necessary, to law enforcement, family members of the patient, or any other persons who may reasonably be able to prevent or lessen the risk of harm.

Why is disclosure of patient information required?

In addition to professional ethical standards, most States have laws and/or court decisions which address, and in many instances require, disclosure of patient information to prevent or lessen the risk of harm.

Can illicit drugs cause heart attacks?

Some illicit drugs can interact with medications. Depending on the drug, they can also have negative effects like causing high blood pressure, insomnia, depressed mood, persistent nausea, heart attacks or irregular heart rhythms.

Is it better to disclose too much or too little to your doctor?

It’s always better to disclose too much than too little to your doctor. Even if you used drugs a long time ago in high school or college, it’s still a good idea to let your doctor know. They might want to do extra blood tests depending on what drug you use.

Can you take someone else's prescription?

We don’t advise taking someone else’s prescriptions. Something that’s safe in one person might be dangerous in another, depending on their medical history. However, it’s good for your doctor to know if you took someone else’s medication because if it worked for you and is a safe option, your doctor might prescribe it for you. ...

Can a doctor report drug use to the police?

No. Your doctor isn’t legally allowed to report drug use to the police. The only situations in which doctors can break confidentially is if there’s concern about someone seriously harming themselves or others. Our main focus is on your health and how to partner with you to improve your health.

What happens if a therapist fails to take reasonable steps to protect the intended victim from harm?

“If a therapist fails to take reasonable steps to protect the intended victim from harm, he or she may be liable to the intended victim or his family if the patient acts on the threat ,” Reischer said.

Should clients withhold anything from their therapist?

“Clients should not withhold anything from their therapist, because the therapist is only obligated to report situations in which they feel that another individual, whether it be the client or someone else, is at risk,” said Sophia Reed, a nationally certified counselor and transformation coach.

Can a therapist report a patient's intent to harm someone else?

A therapist may be forced to report information disclosed by the patient if a patient reveals their intent to harm someone else. However, this is not as simple as a patient saying simply they “would like to kill someone,” according to Jessica Nicolosi, a clinical psychologist in Rockland County, New York. There has to be intent plus a specific identifiable party who may be threatened.

Do therapists have to disclose information in court?

For instance, Reed noted that even if a wife is cheating on her husband and they are going through a divorce, the therapist has no legal obligation whatsoever to disclose that information in court. The last thing a therapist wants to do is defy their patient’s trust.

Do you have to report child abuse to a therapist?

“If a client experienced child abuse but is now 18 years of age then the therapist is not required to make a child abuse report, unless the abuser is currently abusing other minors,” Mayo said.

Who can disclose mental health records?

Under these provisions, a health care provider may disclose patient information, including information from mental health records, if necessary, to law enforcement, family members of the patient, or any other persons who may reasonably be able to prevent or lessen the risk of harm.

Why is disclosure of patient information required?

In addition to professional ethical standards, most States have laws and/or court decisions which address, and in many instances require, disclosure of patient information to prevent or lessen the risk of harm.