Privacy Policy

42 CFR Part 2 is the federal regulation that protects the confidentiality of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment records and has direct implications for recovery coaching: it generally prohibits disclosure of SUD-related information without a valid, written patient consent, restricts redisclosure, and imposes special handling and documentation requirements for records created during recovery support services. Recovery coaches should understand that, unless a client signs a compliant Part 2 consent (or a very narrow exception applies, such as a medical emergency, court order, or specific permitted disclosures under recent rule updates), they must not share SUD information with other providers, family members, employers, payers, or on social media; likewise, if coaches receive Part 2-protected information they must safeguard it, follow agency policies for secure storage and “minimum necessary” sharing, and avoid unauthorized redisclosure. Recent amendments to Part 2 have eased some barriers to coordinated care by allowing certain disclosures with appropriate consent and within qualified organizations, but the interaction between Part 2 and HIPAA is complex—recovery programs should train coaches on consent procedures, documentation practices, and when to consult legal or compliance staff so client trust and privacy are protected while enabling safe care coordination.