Substance Abuse Treatment Records Release Form

Secure Substance Abuse Treatment Records Release Form

When it comes to releasing substance abuse treatment records, healthcare providers face unique regulatory requirements beyond standard HIPAA protections. 42 CFR Part 2 creates additional layers of patient privacy that require specific, informed consent before any information can be shared. Whether you're a treatment center coordinating continuing care, a mental health clinic supporting recovery transitions, or a healthcare administrator managing sensitive patient records, having a compliant and professional records release process is essential.

This Substance Abuse Treatment Records Release Form template is designed specifically for behavioral health providers, addiction treatment centers, mental health clinics, and healthcare facilities that need to obtain proper authorization before disclosing substance abuse treatment information.

Why 42 CFR Part 2 Compliance Matters

Unlike general medical records protected only by HIPAA, substance abuse treatment records fall under the stricter protections of 42 CFR Part 2 (also known as Part 2 or the Confidentiality Regulations). These federal regulations apply to any program that specializes in providing substance abuse diagnosis, treatment, or referral services—and they require explicit patient consent with very specific elements before any information can be shared.

This form template includes all the required elements for 42 CFR Part 2 compliance, including:

• Specific episode dates and treatment information being released
• Clear identification of who is releasing and who is receiving the information
• Purpose of disclosure and how the information will be used
• Expiration date for the authorization
• Right to revoke consent and how to do so
• Prohibition on redisclosure warning required by Part 2
• Patient signature with full understanding of what they're authorizing

Built for Continuing Care Coordination

One of the most common scenarios for releasing substance abuse records is continuing care coordination—when a patient transitions from intensive treatment to outpatient care, from one treatment facility to another, or to their primary care provider for ongoing support. This form makes it easy to:

• Document the specific treatment episode being referenced (admission date through discharge date)
• Identify the continuing care provider who needs access to treatment information
• Specify exactly what information will be shared (assessment reports, treatment plans, discharge summaries, medication records, or all records)
• Set clear time limits on the authorization to protect patient privacy
• Ensure patients understand their rights and protections under federal law

How Paperform Streamlines Records Release

Managing paper-based release forms creates administrative headaches—forms get lost, signatures are missing, filing takes time, and tracking expiration dates becomes a manual process. With Paperform, you can digitize your entire substance abuse records release workflow while maintaining full compliance.

This template offers:

• Professional, accessible design that patients can complete on any device
• Conditional logic that shows or hides fields based on disclosure purpose or record types
• Digital signature capture with legally-binding eSignatures
• Automatic submission tracking so you never lose a completed authorization
• Custom confirmation emails that provide patients with a copy of their authorization
• Secure data collection with SOC 2 Type II compliance and encryption

You can embed this form directly into your patient portal, EHR system, or website, or send it as a standalone link via secure email. Completed forms can automatically flow into your practice management system, trigger notifications to records staff, or create tasks for your care coordination team.

Extend Your Workflow with Papersign and Stepper

For treatment programs that need multiple signatures—such as when a guardian, parent, or legally authorized representative must also sign—you can use Papersign to route the completed form through a formal signing sequence. Papersign creates a complete audit trail showing who signed, when they signed, and from what IP address, giving you courtroom-ready documentation if authorization is ever questioned.

For larger behavioral health systems managing dozens or hundreds of release requests, Stepper can automate the entire post-submission workflow. When a patient submits this form, Stepper can:

• Create a task in your records management system
• Send notifications to the appropriate staff member based on the receiving provider type
• Update your EHR or case management platform with authorization details
• Set calendar reminders before the authorization expires
• Track fulfillment status and ensure timely record transmission

Who This Form Is For

This substance abuse treatment records release template is ideal for:

• Addiction treatment centers and rehabilitation facilities managing residential or outpatient programs
• Mental health clinics providing integrated substance use disorder treatment
• Hospitals and medical centers with behavioral health or addiction medicine departments
• Community health centers coordinating recovery support services
• Private practices specializing in addiction psychiatry or counseling
• Correctional health programs supporting reentry and continuing care
• Peer support organizations helping clients access their treatment history

Whether you're a solo practitioner or part of a large healthcare system, maintaining compliant records release processes protects both your patients and your organization.

Maintaining Trust Through Transparency

Substance abuse treatment only works when patients trust that their most sensitive health information will be protected. By using a clear, compliant, and respectful authorization process, you demonstrate that you take that trust seriously. This form template is written in plain language, explains patient rights, and ensures informed consent—creating a foundation of transparency that supports long-term recovery.

With Paperform's document-style editor, you can easily customize this template to match your organization's branding, add your logo, adjust language to your patient population, or include additional state-specific requirements. The result is a professional, compliant records release form that respects both regulatory requirements and patient dignity.

Get started with this template today and bring your substance abuse records release process into the digital age—without sacrificing compliance, security, or the personal touch your patients deserve.