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Addiction, Autonomy, and Informed Consent: On and Off the Garden Path

About the Course

Some researchers consider impaired autonomy regarding drug consumption as a defining component of addiction. If true, studies and treatment protocols involving provision of drugs to addicts would face insurmountable ethical issues. Evidence shows that addicts can and do resist consumption. Though autonomy is doubtlessly impaired, addicts can still give informed consent. No unique ethical concern exists for this population in well-designed studies and treatment programs.

This course is based on the reading-based online article, Addiction, Autonomy, and Informed Consent: On and Off the Garden Path created by Neil Levy in 2016.

Publication Date:

The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy; 41(1) 2016

Course Material Author

Neil Levy
Neil Levy is a professor of philosophy at Macquarie University and a senior research fellow at the Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics. He has published over 150 articles in peer reviewed journals.

Neil Levy authored the material only, and was not involved in creating this CE course. They are identified here for your own evaluation of the relevancy of the material this course is based on.

Course Creator

Barbara F. McMillan, LPC
Barbara McMillan, BA, MS, EdD, LPC has 35 years of experience as a therapist, clinical director, and administrator in mental health and substance abuse programs. She holds degrees in psychology and education, and has been a licensed professional counselor and supervising counselor for many years. After 18 years in various roles in private and public mental health settings, she became a full-time college psychology and sociology instructor.

Recommended For:

Counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists and social workers. This course is appropriate for all levels of knowledge.

Course Objectives:

After taking this course, you should be able to:

  1. Define autonomy and describe its relationship to informed consent.
  2. Analyze the connection between autonomy and addiction.
  3. Draw conclusions regarding the ethical implications of impaired autonomy and informed consent.

Disclosure to Learners

Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships

CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity – including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).

The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity's planners, faculty, and the reviewer:

Planners and Reviewers

The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

Faculty: Barbara F. McMillan, LPC

No relevant financial relationships.

Commercial support

There is no commercial support for this distance-learning course.

Exam Questions

All exam questions for the course are visible on this page for members of Addiction Counselor CE.

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FAQs

  • Is this course approved for my continuing education requirements?

    Yes, most likely. Look Up Your State Board for more detailed information. Logged-in site members will see the relevant approval information displayed in the Approvals tab for every course.

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  • How do I enroll in this course?

    Use the Enroll In This Course button and just follow the instructions! You don't pay anything until you're ready to take an exam.

  • What do I have to do to complete the course?

    To complete the course, review the course objectives, then review the material, and then pass the exam with a score of 75% or greater and lastly complete an evaluation.

  • How do I access the materials?

    Most of our courses are based on online articles available for free to the public. Some courses, such as those based on books, require that you purchase the material. Use the Materials tab above for more info. You don't need to enroll in the course to access materials, whether free or paid. So you always know what you're getting into before you commit to taking the exam.

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    Your certificate(s) will be available to download or email immediately when you pass the course exam and complete the evaluation.

  • Can I contact you for more help?

    Yes! Use the Help widget at the bottom-right of the screen anywhere on Addiction Counselor CE to search our help docs, or to ask our support team for help. Unlike most of our competitors, Addiction Counselor CE has live US-based support reps to help you by email, chat, or phone.

Course Number 102774
1.25 CE credit hour
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  • Reading-Based Online
Exam Fee $7.46
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