23 Sep
Are you sick of dealing with addiction to alcohol or drugs but are wondering how to go to rehab and keep your job? You’re not alone. While some people need to move into a residential facility and take a leave of absence while they receive substance abuse treatment, not everyone does. Tampa Bay Recovery offers several outpatient programs designed to help you overcome addiction while still allowing you the time you need to work and take care of your family. You can also take time away from your job but return to it after completing initial outpatient treatment.
Laws That Allow For How To Go To Rehab and Keep Your Job
The idea of asking for time off from work in order to seek treatment for addiction can feel intimidating. Fortunately, there are laws in place that explain how to go to rehab and keep your job. Employers should be familiar with them, but if they are not, a person can point out their legal rights.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
First is The Family and Medical Leave Act, which was signed into law in 1993. It allows eligible employees to take off twelve workweeks within a 12-month period in the event of several circumstances. The time off is unpaid and the individual’s job is protected so that they may return to it. Many people know that the FMLA covers the birth or adoption of a child. What they may not know is that it also allows for taking a leave because the employee needs treatment for a serious health condition. This includes getting treatment for substance abuse. During the time away from work, the company must allow the employee to continue using their group health insurance under the same terms they normally enjoy.
Of interest to many families, the FMLA also allows a person to take the same twelve workweeks off in order to care for the employee’s spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition. This includes substance use disorders.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The second law that helps explain how to go to rehab and keep your job is the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was enacted in 1990. This law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for their employees who have disabilities. The ADA definition of disabilities includes the following:
- The person has a physical or mental impairment that limits their major life activities, including certain mental illnesses and addiction.
- The person has a history of an impairment that limits their major life activities, including someone in recovery from addiction.
The laws that protect a person mean that they cannot be fired or disciplined for going to addiction treatment. Even if the company has to use a replacement for the employee during their absence, once they return, they are guaranteed the same position or another one at the same pay rate.
Can I Lose My Job If I Don’t Go To Rehab?
The FMLA and ADA protect a person from being fired because they seek treatment for a substance use disorder. However, they do not protect a person from being fired or disciplined because of addiction-related activities that impact their job performance or conduct. In fact, waiting too long to go to rehab can cause a person to cross the line at work and be terminated. Part of understanding how to go to rehab and keep your job involves making the choice to get help while still employed.
What Is Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Tampa Like?
Drug and alcohol rehab in Tampa comes in different forms, depending on the needs of each individual. It typically starts with a detox program, which includes residential care for a number of days to help a person get through the initial withdrawal stages. From there, some people transition into a program that requires them to live in a facility while receiving treatment.
For many, our Intensive Outpatient Programs in Tampa make the most sense. They allow a person to live in their home or in a sober living home while getting valuable addiction treatment during the day. Programs range from outpatient rehab to intensive outpatient care to partial hospitalization programs. Each program offers multiple treatment modalities designed to help people overcome addiction to drugs and alcohol. As well, our dual diagnosis treatment in Tampa can help with the presence of both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder.
When someone considers a specific treatment program, they can talk to a staff member to determine how to get the care they need and also keep their job.
Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Tampa Bay
Have you decided you feel ready to take an important step and get help for your substance use disorder? If so, you may have one big concern: how to go to rehab and keep your job. Tampa Bay Recovery understands this and offers several types of outpatient programs to suit your needs. Our programs allow you to attend valuable addiction treatment while also allowing you the room to keep working. We even have a virtual outpatient program for those who qualify.
Visit our admissions page now and let us help you plan for your new life of sobriety. Our staff members are happy to answer any questions you have.
