The ethical principle of nonmaleficence in addiction treatment is best defined as:

• A. Respecting client autonomy
• B. Doing clients no harm
• C. Beneficence toward the community
• D. Ensuring fair access to services

Answer: (B)

Nonmaleficence is the obligation to avoid harming clients. In addiction treatment, this means choosing interventions that are safe, minimizing risks, and avoiding practices that could cause physical, psychological, or social harm. It also includes ensuring informed consent and avoiding coercive or punitive approaches that could damage trust or well-being. The phrase that best captures this principle is doing clients no harm, since it states the core directive of nonmaleficence directly.

Respecting client autonomy is about honoring a client's right to make their own decisions, which is a different ethical principle. Beneficence toward the community refers to promoting good for others or the public, not specifically the individual client’s safety. Ensuring fair access to services relates to justice and equity, again a separate consideration.