Which option best reflects professional boundary practice when interacting with peers who are in recovery?

• A. Maintain professional boundaries, avoid dual relationships, and seek supervision if issues arise.
• B. Start a personal friendship outside work.
• C. Share client information with peers.
• D. Ignore agency policies.

Answer: (A)

Professional boundaries and seeking supervision when issues arise are essential when interacting with peers who are in recovery. Maintaining clear, professional boundaries helps keep the focus on recovery support, protects both the peer and the worker from bias or exploitation, and supports trust and safety in the relationship. Avoiding dual relationships means you don’t mix personal and professional roles, which could otherwise influence judgment or create pressure. Seeking supervision when boundary challenges come up provides guidance, accountability, and an additional perspective to handle delicate situations appropriately.

Starting a personal friendship outside work can blur lines and undermine objectivity. Sharing client information with peers violates confidentiality and breaches trust. Ignoring agency policies ignores established rules designed to protect clients and professionals and can lead to harm or disciplinary action.