For most of us, going to work is an essential part of our lives. Whether you love or hate your job (or fall somewhere in the middle), you need the work because you get paid to do it. Making money is—for better or worse—what allows you to pay your rent or mortgage, your car payment, and all your other monthly bills. It makes it possible for you to buy food and other things you need. It makes it possible for you to save for the future. Ideally, it allows you to afford some leisure activities that can help you relax and recharge (which is often necessary because work can be stressful and exhausting).
But what if you need to pursue residential treatment for a substance use disorder? That is going to take you away from work for an extended period of time. It might seem like your job is the primary reason you cannot pursue treatment. Sure, the drugs or alcohol are having a negative impact on your life, but wouldn’t it be worse if you lost your job because you needed treatment?
Our first response to that question is no. Getting treatment is absolutely critical for reclaiming your life. If you don’t get help, you are likely to lose your job anyway when the effects of the substances you are using start to make it difficult to perform well at work. (Related: Work can also threaten your hard-won recovery.)
Our second response to the question is that it is generally possible to seek out treatment for a substance use disorder while also protecting your job.
Let’s take a look at how that might work.
Know the Policies and Your Rights
If you were given a handbook or a set of policy guides (whether physical or online), they are a great place to start. These resources should outline your workplace’s leave of absence policies and other relevant information. If you don’t have access to this sort of material, your company’s human resources department should be able to explain all the policies that apply to your situation. Note that you can inquire about these policies without necessarily explaining why you are asking.
There are some legal issues in play as well when it comes to taking time off to get treatment. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows you to take up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave to address a serious health condition. Of course, unpaid leave is not ideal, so you will likely want to make use of any sick leave and/or vacation time you may have accrued before employing your FMLA protections.
We should note, however, that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not apply to substance use disorders. In fact, companies have broad discretion to fire someone who is actively using illicit drugs or who comes to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol. That is another reason it is important to seek help rather than putting your job at ongoing risk.
Time to Talk to the Boss
Before you can leave work and seek out treatment, you will, of course, have to have a conversation with your boss. Ideally, you will have worked out a proposed plan that includes your estimate of how long you might be gone and where you might be seeking treatment. The more detail you can provide, the more likely it is that the boss will quickly get behind your effort to free yourself from drugs or alcohol.
Honesty is extremely important when it comes to this conversation. While it may be difficult to tell someone—especially someone you work for—that you have a problem and need help, building trust at this point in the process is essential for a couple of reasons.
First, as we have noted, being honest and detailed about your needs and plans will go a long way toward helping your boss help you. You want to be sure that your employer knows you are dealing with a serious problem—and you are serious about getting help.
Second, being forthright now sets you up for success when you have future conversations with your boss. When treatment comes to an end, you will need to return to work, but you may also need some ongoing accommodations. For example, you may need an expanded lunch break to make time for regular attendance at recovery meetings. If you build an honest and open relationship with your boss now, having these conversations later should go more smoothly.
Our Job is to Help You
At French Creek Recovery Center, we are in the business of helping individuals reclaim their lives from drugs or alcohol and build a lasting recovery. Located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, French Creek employs evidence-based practices and personalized treatment plans to help you take back control of your life.
Our residential treatment program includes medically supervised detoxification and a rehabilitation program built around individual and group therapy sessions. And our support does not end when you return to your daily life. Instead, we provide a continuum of care designed to help you overcome challenges as your recovery journey gets underway.
We take our job very seriously. When you are ready to make a change, we are here to help.