Who Should Go to Rehab?

If you are considering getting help for drugs, alcohol addiction or mental health, but are worried about losing your job, or are not sure if it is the right move for you, you are not alone. Anybody who has thought about going to rehab has likely asked themselves the question, “Can I get fired for going to rehab?” It is an uncertain time, and having a dependence on substances like drugs and alcohol can make things even more confusing. Luckily, there are job protection services that can help .

Anybody who has been using drugs or drinking regularly for any period of time, weeks, months, or years, will benefit from spending time in rehab, especially if you have noticed that drinking and drug use is beginning to negatively affect your life in some way, yet you cannot seem to quit. Some common signs that rehab might be a good step to take include:

Noticing you have developed a tolerance, and you need to use more to get the same level of intoxication
Spending a lot of time and money on drug or alcohol use
Losing interest in your usual hobbies and activities, in favor of substance abuse, or incorporating drugs and alcohol into any social event
Feeling like you are not able to get through the day without using substances
Borrowing or stealing from people to buy drugs and alcohol (or raiding their medicine and liquor cabinets)
Using drugs or alcohol alone, or first thing in the morning
Continuing to use drugs and alcohol even when they cause serious problems in your life
Noticing withdrawal symptoms when you try to cut back or quit

If these signs of addiction sound familiar to you, and you are ready to make a change, Union First can help you find the right treatment program for your needs and will ensure you do not lose your job when you go away for rehab.

7 Benefits of Going to Rehab

Going to rehab has many benefits, not only to your physical health, but also to your mental health, your spiritual wellness, and your quality of life. Some of the biggest benefits are:

Getting a full medical and psychiatric evaluation, and then receiving treatment for all the issues that are troubling you at the same time, for a completely fresh start. Rehab is about addiction, but it is also about holistic care, healing the body, taking care of the mind, and addressing all aspects that make a person a person including the emotional, social, and mental health issues that have contributed to addiction
Customized medical care will keep you healthy and safe. Drugs and alcohol can cause a variety of serious health problems, and a comprehensive detox program will help you heal under the full-time care of licensed, experienced doctors and nurses
Medical detox programs will ensure you do not suffer as your body purges the toxins from your system and your brain chemistry rebalances. Withdrawal symptoms can be distressing, painful, uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous to your health, but with medical care and prescription medications, you will not need to go through all that pain. Instead, you will be able to recover, with good food, plenty of rest, and therapy
A safe, supportive, clean, and stable place to stay that is 100% substance-free, so you can focus on healing without worrying about your security, your mental health, violence, instability, or falling back into addiction
Customized programs that include mental health care, exercise programs, holistic healing, and evidence-based therapies for a whole-patient approach. You are not just “an addict”, you are a person deserving of respect, with complex needs that will be seen on an individual basis
Amenities vary from place to place. Some luxury rehabs have pools, gyms, and spas, but even the modest rehab facilities offer comfortable clean places to live, good healthy food, fun activities, sports, snacks, books, TV, etc.
A community comprised of doctors, nurses, therapists, addiction experts, and plenty of people like you who understand what you are going through and can offer support and care without judgment

Are Union Members’ Jobs Protected While Going to Rehab?

Yes, the Employment Protection Act regulates discrimination, harassment, and time off, for workers, amongst other things, and it allows people to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave from their job for a variety of reasons under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Because FMLA does not cover private sector workers in workplaces with less than 50 employees or who have not been at the same job for 12 months, the Americans with Disabilities Act fills in the gaps. Under the ADA, employers may not discriminate against you because of your disability, and you cannot get fired for taking a leave of absence to get treatment. So to the question “Can I get fired for going to rehab?” the answer is no.

9 Ways to Prepare for Going to Rehab

Some of the things you can do to prepare to go to addiction treatment include:

Contact Union First to find out what services are available to you
Let your job know you are taking time off to seek treatment
Pack your bags according to the guidelines provided by your treatment center
Arrange all necessary care for any dependents, whether that is elderly parents, children, pets, or even plants
Pay your bills in advance, set up autopay, or ask a trusted loved one to pay them for you while you are away
Tell loved ones where you are going so they do not worry, and so they know what to expect
Notify the courts that you are going into treatment if you need to
Clean out the house, getting rid of all drugs and alcohol (and any garbage or perishables in the fridge) to ensure you are coming back to a fresh start, not old habits and messes
Try to frame rehab as a good experience before you get there. The better your attitude about the process, the more likely you will be to try hard and achieve positive results. Set some recovery goals, and think of it as a good opportunity for change and growth

6 Things to Consider When Choosing a Rehab

Some of the most important things a rehab will offer are:

Accreditation, and licensed therapists, doctors, nurses, and other caregivers. You do not want to be taken in by a scam, or a “wellness” practitioner who cannot actually help you
Medical detox programs, as will keep you safe and healthy, and help you avoid suffering through withdrawal
A full continuum of care that will lead you through detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient rehab, and beyond
Aftercare programs that will keep you connected to helpful resources, therapy, doctor’s care, groups, support, and more
Rehab centers that suit your lifestyle and life philosophies. For example, some will have a spiritual learning philosophy, while others are more scientifically-based. Some programs include yoga, music therapy, exercise programs, and other holistic treatments that might appeal to you
A treatment center should offer evidence-based care and other necessary components like dual diagnosis if you have a co-occurring mental illness

Finding the right rehab may feel difficult, so at Union First, we will help connect you to legitimate rehab clinics that can help you heal and overcome your addiction safely, in effective, efficient, individualized programs.

Union First Can Help Union Members Keep Their Jobs While Going to Rehab

At Union First, we help employees understand their rights, and get connected to the help they need, whether that helps filling out FMLA paperwork or help to find a rehab center in their area. Keeping your job while in rehab can give you peace of mind, and will allow you to focus on your treatment while you are away, instead of worrying about what will happen when it is over. We provide individual case management and advocacy, and we will ensure your legal rights are met as you get the necessary behavioral therapy, mental health care, and substance abuse treatments you need to regain your health. Please call us, day or night, at 855-215-2023 to learn more.

Job Protection Services: Can I Get Fired for Going to Rehab?