What happens to confessions of illegal drug use in someone's medical records?

[hanan]

Let's say someone confesses to a physician illegal drug use. Marijuana, amphetamine, heroin, LSD, whatever. The substance doesn't matter so much as the fact that it is illegal.

Ordinarily there's all that doctor-patient confidentiality stuff going on, so such a confession is usually in one's medical best interest and of no legal (criminal) consequence. But let's further suppose that these medical records come under scrutiny because of a disability or malpractice claim or something of that sort.

What happens to that otherwise privileged confession? Would this result in being cast in the role of the "evil drug using parasite" and the full force of social condemnation? Does it result in a prejudice against any disability or malpractice or other civil claim?

Thanks for your help!

[menw]

immisable in court , dew to dr,patient confidentuality. if record are unsealed or nessary for a case then you will need to grant access to them. your clain opens the door to such information.

[bachir93]

immisable in court , dew to dr,patient confidentuality. if record are unsealed or nessary for a case then you will need to grant access to them. your clain opens the door to such information.

Nothing now. If this online medical record is started (that Obama wants) ANYONE can have access to it. I don't want my medical records hacked and used against me. (not that I have anything to hide) but it is private.