How To Go To Rehab Without Losing Your Job

Taking the step into rehab can already be intimidating without the added stress of whether or not you can do so and keep your job. Depending on the level of care required for your treatment, you have a variety of options available to you. 

Here at Pinnacle Peak Recovery, we understand the importance of being able to go through treatment with the least amount of stress possible. Stress can distract you from focusing on your recovery. We want to educate our community about the options available in order to help them get the treatment they need. 

Speaking With Your Employer About Going to Rehab

It’s important to know that every workplace has its own regulations regarding substance use and how that can impact your employment. If your substance use starts to affect your work life, this is where potential negative consequences can occur. If you’re starting the process of going to rehab and working through recovery and you’re concerned about how to safely get time off, there are things that can potentially protect you. Knowing your rights when you’re going to speak with your employer is important.

Protections That Employees Have at Work for Going to Rehab

There are two main programs that will help you and your employment during the recovery process. These are the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). They both function a little differently but they’re both important. When it comes to knowing what is and isn’t within your rights for recovery, time off, and retaining your employment during the process, these two programs can assist you. 

What Is F.M.L.A and How Do You Qualify for It?

The Family and Medical Leave Act is a labor law that helps protect employees and their job stability when medical leave is needed for themselves or a family member. If you meet the right criteria for the reasons behind your necessitated leave, you will retain job security during your paid time off. 

In order to first qualify for FMLA, you must have been working for your current employer for at least 12 months and 1,250 hours over those past 12 months. In addition, the place of employment must employ at least 50 people. 

In the instance of seeking out treatment options for substance use, FMLA can help you in certain aspects. If you need to have an absence from work in order to go through recovery treatment provided by a healthcare provider, you are covered under FMLA protection. If you miss work due to substance use and not because of recovery, you’re not covered under FMLA. Your employer cannot take action against you when you exercise your right to take leave for substance use recovery treatment. However, if your employer has a non-discriminatory policy that is well established and communicated about substance use and termination, they can still choose to act upon that regardless of FMLA. 

What Is A.D.A and How Do You Qualify for It?

The Americans with Disabilities Act is a civil rights law that works against discrimination in the workplace for those with disabilities. Those who are actively working to recover from long-term substance use are covered under the ADA. This only applies to those actively in recovery who aren’t still using substances, or those who have successfully gone through a recovery treatment program. 

It’s important to note that if your employer were to know about your substance use and decide to take action against you accordingly, and it was only then that you decided to start going to treatment, you would not be covered under the ADA. 

The ADA works to assist those currently going through recovery and those who have previously been through treatment programs. They help to prevent against discrimination at their work or from them being declined a position because of their past substance use. 

Am I Protected From Being Laid Off for Going to Rehab?

FMLA helps those going through rehabilitation for substance use to not lose their jobs. This covers a certain period of unpaid time spanning twelve workweeks within a 12-month period. If you qualify for FMLA and your employer doesn’t have any specific, non-discriminatory policies in place about substance use, you will be protected from being laid off while you focus on your recovery journey. 

Getting Time Off to Go to Rehab

It’s a good idea to have a basic understanding of what treatment program you will be going through before you confirm how much time off you’re going to need. When speaking with your employer, they might ask you to sign a return-to-work agreement in order to ensure you come back after a designated period of time.  

You can also ask your treating physician  how long your stay will be, how to work with your employer regarding it, and more. We have a lot of experience helping our clients during their entire recovery journey, even after they leave our doors. At Pinnacle Peak, we want to help you reach your goals, including your employment goals after treatment. We’re happy to help you and answer any questions you may have about your specific situation.

Are Employees Able to Continue Working if They Join an Outpatient or Inpatient Rehab Program?

While it’s important to be able to focus on your recovery during your healing journey, there are options for working while you’re in treatment. Depending on your specific line of work, you might even be able to work from home for a bit. 

During inpatient recovery, you will stay at the facility 24/7 so you don’t have to worry about outside stressors and you can put your energy into your treatment and healing. Our outpatient program, however, offers many of the same treatment options while allowing patients to spend time with their family or continue working. 

Addiction Treatment Options at Pinnacle Peak Recovery

Here at Pinnacle Peak Recovery, we understand that our clients have unique concerns and thoughts about their recovery journey. No singular method works best for everyone, that’s why we engage with our clients on an individual level to make a recovery plan that works for them specifically. We offer inpatient, outpatient, and12-step options along with  evidence-based treatment plans such as CBT or DBT. If one of your goals during your recovery is to be able to maintain your job and go back to work afterward, we’re happy to help you achieve that.

If you have any questions about our treatment options, how to speak with your employer about recovery, or anything else, don’t hesitate to give us a call today at 866-377-4761.

FAQs About How To Go To Rehab Without Losing Your Job

Can I get my job back after finishing rehab?

ADA protects you from not receiving a job due to past substance use. An employer cannot refuse to hire you on the sole basis of a history of substance use. 

How long does rehab usually last?

While each individual might require a different amount of time, many inpatient rehab programs last at least 4 weeks.