When should a peer recovery specialist disclose a peer's information?

The appropriate time for a peer recovery specialist to disclose a peer's information is when there is a risk of harm to the peer or others. This principle is rooted in ethical and legal obligations to ensure safety and prevent harm. If a peer expresses suicidal thoughts, intentions to harm others, or any other concerning behaviors that may endanger themselves or the people around them, it becomes imperative for the specialist to act in a manner that prioritizes safety.

In such situations, confidentiality can be overridden because the potential for harm outweighs the need for privacy. This aligns with the duty to protect, where the peer recovery specialist must consider the well-being of both the individual and the wider community. Disclosing information under these circumstances allows for the necessary intervention and support to ensure safety.

Agency policy and a peer's request to share their story are important considerations in confidentiality but do not automatically justify disclosure without a valid reason such as a safety risk. Similarly, responding to third-party requests for information can violate ethical standards unless it pertains specifically to protecting someone from immediate harm.