Many people suffering from substance use disorder are highly functioning professionals. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, 76 percent of people struggling with substance abuse are employed. Sadly, a lot of these people won’t seek treatment, fearing it could affect their careers. However, there are ways to manage your professional life while still going to rehab.
Depending on your doctor’s advice, you can have an outpatient or inpatient treatment. The former allows you to continue with your work and visit a treatment center for counseling few times a week, while the latter requires you to stay in a rehab facility for at least 30 days. Those who will enter rehab often choose one in the state they reside in. For example, if you are living in Phoenix, you may select any of the Arizona drug rehab facilities near you.
Seeking treatment is one of the best and most courageous choices you will make. However, a substance-free life comes with challenges like creating a balance between getting better and keeping your job. To help you with it, here are some tips:
Be Aware of Your Rights
What people don’t realize is that substance use disorder qualifies as a medical condition. It is a legitimate mental illness and several federal laws protect you from losing your job while getting treatment.
The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protects your employment while you are on leave. Under this law, you can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave and still keep your job when you come back. You will also continue to receive existing group health benefits from your employer while on leave. FMLA applies to all businesses with 50 or more workers within 75 miles, including public agencies and school employees. Employees that can take a leave under FMLA must be employed for at least 12 months by a qualified employer and completed a minimum of 1,250 hours of employment for the past 12 months
In case your employer does not fall under the FMLA, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can be another option. Since substance use disorder is considered a disability, you are also protected under the ADA. This legislation will protect your job while you are undergoing treatment, as long as you are not using any substances during your time in rehab. You can also benefit from reasonable accommodations, which allows you to adjust your work schedule for therapy and take a temporary leave of absence for inpatient treatment.
Talk to Your Employer
You can take advantage of these federal laws when you initiate the conversation about the topic with your employer or if you inform your employer before entering rehab. Aside from being a criterion of eligibility, the latter also shows your sense of professionalism.
After consulting with your doctor about your treatment plan, talk to your employer or your human resources officer at once. Remember to do this in a private location for confidentiality. When you talk with management, make sure to have your rehab plan ready and discuss with them the amount of time you’ll need to be away. During the discussion, you can also find out if your employer offers an Employee Assistance Program. They may have preferred rehab facilities or trusted medical providers.
On the other hand, if you are expected to receive outpatient treatment, you still need to be honest with them about your health. You need to discuss adjustments on your work schedule to meet outpatient appointments and set expectations regarding withdrawal symptoms that may impair your performance at work.
Make Arrangements for Work Obligations
Once you have talked to your employer, you may also want to talk to your immediate supervisor so you can make arrangements on how they can manage your work functions while you are away. Start by being honest with them and discuss your concerns on how you want to overcome addiction and become a better employee. Since your focus will be your health while in rehab, you may not be able to perform many of your work duties. You can go over your treatment plan with them and work on how to delegate your assigned tasks to other coworkers.
If you plan on filing your unpaid leave under FMLA, your employer may ask you to sign a Return-to-Work Agreement, stating what’s expected of you upon your return. It may include the following:
- Compliance with all treatment recommendations from your rehab facility
- Submission of regular progress reports during treatment
- Attending post-rehab support group meetings
- Submitting to regular alcohol or drug testing
- Acknowledging the possibility of losing your job due to poor work performance after completing treatment
Take note that signing a Return-to-Work Agreement means complying with everything stated in the agreement to maintain your employment. This agreement protects both you and your employer when you return.
Organize Your Home
Your home is just as important as your job and has a huge impact on your recovery, so you need to prepare it for your return.
Whether you live alone or with your loved ones, you need to make sure the transition from life in the rehab facility to your home will be easier. Here are some personal obligations you can complete as part of your preparations:
- Forward your mails
- Consider house or pet-sitting
- Sign up for automatic bill payments
- Removal of drugs, alcohol, or related paraphernalia to prepare for your recovery
Prepare for Life After Rehab
The success of your treatment lies in your recovery. This means you need to prepare for an aftercare plan. You can start looking for support groups you can contact to help you stay substance-free. You also need to consider how you can manage stress without using any substances. This may include avoiding workplace events that could lead you to temptations like after-work parties.
Lastly, comply with all the requirements in the Return-to-Work Agreement you signed. This will not just show how much you value your job but also how committed you are to getting better.
