When does confidentiality of participant records end?

• A. Ends upon referral to the division for prosecution
• B. End of confidentiality for participant's records
• C. After consent is withdrawn
• D. Upon completion of treatment

Answer: (A)

Confidentiality isn’t absolute; it has legally defined exceptions that allow disclosure. In this context, the point at which confidentiality ends is when a referral to the division for prosecution occurs. Once prosecutorial authorities are involved, records may be released to support the legal process, within the bounds of what the law and professional guidelines permit and with disclosures limited to what is necessary.

The other options don’t fit because confidentiality isn’t automatically terminated by finishing treatment or by withdrawing consent, and there isn’t a blanket end to confidentiality simply by the passage of time. Withdrawal of consent stops future disclosures, but it doesn’t automatically revoke all confidentiality or retroactively release records.