(1) In lieu of disciplinary action, the veterinarian may accept board referral into an approved substance abuse monitoring program.

(a) The veterinarian shall undergo a complete physical and psychosocial evaluation before entering the approved monitoring program. This evaluation will be performed by health care professionals with expertise in chemical dependency.

(b) The veterinarian shall enter into a contract with the approved substance abuse monitoring program to comply with the requirements of the program which shall include, but not be limited to the following:

(i) The veterinarian shall agree to remain free of all mind-altering substances, including alcohol, except for medications prescribed by an authorized prescriber, as defined in RCW 69.41.030 and 69.50.101.

(ii) The veterinarian shall submit to random drug screening as specified by the approved monitoring program.

(iii) The veterinarian shall sign a waiver allowing the approved monitoring program to release information to the board if the veterinarian does not comply with the requirements of this contract.

(iv) The veterinarian shall undergo approved substance abuse treatment in an approved treatment facility.

(v) The veterinarian shall complete the prescribed aftercare program of the approved treatment facility, which may include individual and/or group psychotherapy.

(vi) The veterinarian shall cause the treatment counselor(s) to provide reports to the approved monitoring program at specified intervals. Reports shall include treatment prognosis and goals.

(vii) The veterinarian shall attend veterinarians' support groups and/or twelve-step group meetings as specified by the contract.

(viii) The veterinarian shall comply with specified practice conditions and restrictions as defined by the contract.

(ix) Except for (b)(i) through (iii) of this subsection, an approved monitoring program may make an exception to the foregoing requirements on individual contracts.

(c) The veterinarian is responsible for paying the costs of the physical and psychosocial evaluation, substance abuse treatment, random drug screens, and therapeutic group sessions.

(d) The veterinarian may be subject to disciplinary action under RCW 18.130.160 and 18.130.180 if the veterinarian does not consent to be referred to the approved monitoring program, does not comply with specified practice restrictions, or does not successfully complete the program.

(2) A veterinarian who is not being investigated or monitored by the board for substance abuse and who is not currently the subject of current disciplinary action, may voluntarily participate in the approved substance abuse monitoring program without being referred by the board. Such voluntary participants shall not be subject to disciplinary action under RCW 18.130.160 and 18.130.180 for their substance abuse, and shall not have their participation made known to the board if they meet the requirements of the approved monitoring program:

(a) The veterinarian shall undergo a complete physical and psychosocial evaluation before entering the approved monitoring program. This evaluation shall be performed by health care professional(s) with expertise in chemical dependency.

(b) The veterinarian shall enter into a contract with the approved substance abuse monitoring program to comply with the requirements of the program which may include, but not be limited to the following:

(i) The veterinarian shall undergo approved substance abuse treatment in an approved treatment facility.

(ii) The veterinarian shall agree to remain free of all mind-altering substances, including alcohol, except for medications prescribed by an authorized prescriber as defined in RCW 69.41.030 and 69.50.101.

(iii) The veterinarian shall complete the prescribed aftercare program of the approved treatment facility, which may include individual and/or group psychotherapy.

(iv) The veterinarian shall cause the treatment counselor(s) to provide reports to the approved monitoring program at specified intervals. Reports shall include treatment prognosis and goals.

(v) The veterinarian shall submit to random observed drug screening as specified by the approved monitoring program.

(vi) The veterinarian shall attend veterinarians' support groups and/or twelve-step group meetings as specified by the contract.

(vii) The veterinarian shall comply with practice conditions and restrictions as defined by the contract.

(viii) The veterinarian shall sign a waiver allowing the approved monitoring program to release information to the board if the veterinarian does not comply with the requirements of this contract.

(ix) Except for (b)(ii) through (iii) of this subsection, an approved monitoring program may make an exception to the foregoing requirements on individual contracts.

(c) The veterinarian is responsible for paying the costs of the physical and psychosocial evaluation, substance abuse treatment, random drug screens, and therapeutic group sessions.

(3) Treatment and pretreatment records shall be confidential as provided by law.