Clients of Alcohol and Drug Programs

Ohio Revised Code and The Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services require that every alcohol and drug treatment program has a documented client's rights policy, a client grievance procedure and a policy for maintaining, for at least two years from resolution, records of client grievances that include, at a minimum, the following:

(a) Copy of the grievance.

(b) Documentation reflecting process used and resolution/remedy of the grievance.

(c) Documentation, if applicable, of extenuating circumstances for extending the time period for resolving the grievance beyond twenty-one calendar days.

The rights of clients for each program shall include, but not be limited to, the

following:

• The right to be treated with consideration and respect for personal dignity,
• autonomy and privacy.
• The right to receive services in the least restrictive, feasible environment.
• The right to be informed of one's own condition.
• The right to be informed of available program services.
• The right to give consent or to refuse any service, treatment or therapy.
• The right to participate in the development, review and revision of one's own
• individualized treatment plan and receive a copy of it.
• The right of freedom from unnecessary or excessive medication, unnecessary
• physical restraint or seclusion.
• The right to be informed and the right to refuse any unusual or hazardous
• treatment procedures.
• The right to be advised and the right to refuse observation by others and by
• techniques such as one-way vision mirrors, tape recorders, video recorders,
• television, movies or photographs.
• The right to consult with an independent treatment specialist or legal counsel at
• one's own expense.
• The right to confidentiality of communications and personal identifying
• information within the limitations and requirements for disclosure of client
• information under state and federal laws and regulations.
• The right to have access to one's own client record in accordance with program
• procedures.
• The right to be informed of the reason(s) for terminating participation in a
• program.
• The right to be informed of the reason(s) for denial of a service.
• The right not to be discriminated against for receiving services on the basis of
• race, ethnicity, age, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or HIV
• infection, whether asymptomatic or symptomatic, or AIDS.
• The right to know the cost of services.
• The right to be informed of all client rights.
• The right to exercise one's own rights without reprisal.
• The right to file a grievance in accordance with program procedures.
• The right to have oral and written instructions concerning the procedure for
• filing a grievance.

If you believe your rights have been violated, you may file a grievance with the following:

• The agency in which you received services
• The Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Stark County
• The Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services
• The Ohio Legal Rights Services
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, civil rights regional office in Chicago