What Case Management Means for Employees Struggling with Addiction
Substance abuse and mental health treatment are areas of health that not everyone is familiar with. Addiction looks different in each person, which is why there is such a wide range of treatment options when it comes to substance abuse including drug detox, telehealth services, inpatient programs, and outpatient programs. Having to navigate this new world on your own, especially if you are already dealing with substance abuse, can be overwhelming. There are several aspects to consider when choosing a drug rehab center including if the facility has the treatments and health care you need, if they accept your insurance, and the facility setting for you. Case management services can help eliminate many of these unknowns by assessing your case and making recommendations based on your needs.
Case management services are essentially assigning you a designated “point person”, sort of like a social worker, who can assess, plan, implement, coordinate, and monitor options and services required to meet your treatment and recovery needs. Every person’s battle with substance abuse or mental health is unique and there are several types of treatment programs available to fit those specific needs. By assessing your unique case and treatment needs, a case manager can create and evaluate treatment plans that would best serve you, helping you get your life back to normal as soon as possible. In the case of behavioral health, case management aims to assist and coordinate services for individuals or families in the areas of mental health, medical, financial, employments, or other services to improve their level of functioning.
Case management can result in better treatment outcomes, better compliance with recovery programs, and better self-management. By helping you find the right treatment facility, your chances for long-term recovery increase.
The Major Function of Case Management for Employees Struggling with Addiction
The first thing someone who is struggling with addiction can do is to ask for help and get substance abuse treatment. Ideally, these individuals could enroll in a treatment program, ignore the world around them and fully dedicate all time and energy to themselves and their recovery. However, many entering drug rehab are dealing with a complex array of issues that extend beyond their addiction, including finances, legal trouble, job uncertainty, and home and family obligations. Dealing with these issues on top of finding the right treatment facility can be exhausting.
Case management services aim to lessen many of these stressors and help clients coordinate care logistics that meet their clinical, personal, and financial needs. Through a complete intake, case managers can assess all the client’s information to draw up customized treatment options for drug and alcohol detox and rehab. Case managers can advise what type of treatment you need and which treatment centers near you who take your health insurance offer those treatments. They can also answer any questions you may have and help you understand what to expect during drug and alcohol detox and rehab. These services are available to help make the right decisions when it comes to your mental and physical health.
Benefits of Case Management for Employees with Substance Use Disorders
The number one benefit of case management services is that it takes out the overwhelming search for finding the right addiction treatment program for you. Often, those seeking treatment for drug and alcohol addiction will spend hours and days hunting the internet, website reviews, and even visiting treatment centers they have found the right place. Meanwhile, their substance abuse symptoms are only getting worse, and they are wasting valuable time getting the help they need. Case management services can quickly assess your needs and health insurance plans to recommend trusted, professional treatment centers that will help you get your life back in order as soon as possible. They can also help guide you about what types of addiction treatment you might need including cognitive behavioral therapy, dual diagnosis treatment for co occurring disorders, family therapy, group counseling, and holistic therapies.
Case management services can also help you not feel alone during this incredibly difficult time. Not knowing what you need or who to turn to for honest help can make you feel alone and unsure. When there is someone on your side who has your needs in mind first and will not be profiting off your addiction treatment, it can give you peace of mind you are getting the help you need.
Part of case management is also walking you through the process. They can help you fill out paperwork and documentation for your health insurance provider, your employer, and the treatment center. Case manager can answer any questions you may have and remove many unknowns about treatment and recovery. Knowing you have a seasoned professional on your side can promote self-confidence and reassurance that you can recover from substance use disorder successfully.
Case managers will continue being by your side to ensure you have the right treatment and support to get healthy throughout drug rehab and even aftercare services. Addiction is a life-long, chronic disorder that requires management and relapse prevention after your treatment and recovery program has concluded. 12 Step programming, individual therapy, and medication assisted treatment can be parts of aftercare programs, which case managers can facilitate places to get that help.
How Our Case Management Services Can Help You Recover from Drug and Alcohol Addiction
At Union First, we offer employee assistance programs for union members, public employees and their families to get behavioral health and drug and alcohol treatment. A union member, you get access to all our services which include case management to help guide you through the process of getting drug and alcohol addiction treatment or mental health treatment. It is highly important to us that our clients never feel like just a number but instead have someone they can easily reach during this difficult time of uncertainty. When you are already dealing with the stress of dealing with substance abuse, finding the right treatment center can be especially overwhelming. This may be a whole new world for you and you may not even know where to start. When you call Union First, you will be assigned a case manager who can walk you through the steps to take and answer any questions you may have with the utmost amount of care.
Our team will conduct a thorough assessment on your case, your needs, and treatment and recovery goals. A case manager will then create a plan of action that will include what kind of drug treatment you need, where those treatments are available, and the next steps to take. We use a network of licensed treatment providers which include drug and alcohol detox, inpatient treatment, intensive outpatient program (IOP), partial hospitalization program (PHP) and outpatient treatment. Our case managers will recommend specific drug rehab centers that fit your needs and go through each facility’s features and benefits to help you make the best choice possible.
Part of our services at Union First include job protection, meaning we will advocate and fight to keep your employment intact while you seek treatment for drug and alcohol addiction or mental health disorders. Often, workers are concerned about taking an extended leave of absence in order to get any type of help for their health or an illness. However, there are several federal and state laws in place to help protect your employment and against any type of discrimination or unlawful termination due to receiving medical treatment. These laws and regulations can be difficult to navigate and not every person is aware of their rights. Your case manager can help you understand your rights against unlawful termination under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Once you have been placed into the drug rehab facility of your choice, our team will submit a “placement in treatment” letter to your employer as part of job protection services. Union First will have your back throughout your addiction treatment and recovery journey and help ensure your job, benefits, pay and status are protected.
Union First also offers telehealth services to union members and their families to help you have access to a therapist as soon as possible. Often finding a therapist can be met with certain hurdles including finding one who takes your insurance, is located in your state, and is taking new clients. Our private telehealth network has over 40 providers who can schedule your appointment within 24 to 48 hours instead of waiting weeks for an appointment. Our team is also available to conduct on-site educational training modules to bring awareness about behavioral health treatment and identifying signs and symptoms. These training modules for union members can be key for them to get help for themselves or family members at the first sign of drug abuse or mental health problems before they get worse.
If you or a family member are struggling with addiction or mental health disorders, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team is available 24/7 to help you get back control of your life.