Do You Tell Work About Your Drug Rehab?
Many people wonder whether they should tell work about drug rehab. This is a personal decision. On one hand, it could inspire others to seek treatment as well, on the other it could get you ostracized or fired. It all depends on your work environment.
Your Work Environment
If you have a casual environment and you work with people that you trust, then it might be possible to speak with someone about your addiction. If on the other hand you do not know your co-workers or employer well, you might not. Since drug addiction is a delicate thing, it is best to make sure those that you tell will not spread the word around.
Going to drug rehab may not be accepted well by all work environments.
Many employers now have drug treatment programs available for their employees. If you are taking advantage of one of them, inform your employer of your progress.
If your work environment is very strict or your drug addiction affects your work performance, you might want to consider not making your addiction public knowledge. Rumors spread very easily throughout the workplace and sometimes it is best to be silent about it.
Who do you Trust?
Unfortunately, it is difficult to realize who’s in your workplace that you can trust. Many people place their trust in the wrong person and wind up losing their jobs over it. If you have a true friend at work, then you are extremely fortunate.
You do need to keep in mind that in some companies and some professions you can lose your job if you are on drugs. Some companies will dismiss a person for drug use without claiming to do so. Each company is different and unless you absolutely know that you can trust who you are telling you run the risk of being dismissed.
It is unfair and often unkind but, unfortunately, it is often the way that it works. If you do not know who you can trust, a medical leave without telling anyone where you are going might be the solution.
Do you Have to Tell Work?
According to the HIPAA Laws, you have the right to medical privacy. Addiction treatment is a medical treatment. Whether to tell your superior or anyone at work about your drug rehab is a choice entirely up to you. If they do not already know because you are in inpatient treatment or some other reason, there is no reason why they have to know.
Even if you do choose inpatient treatment, you do not have to tell your work where you are going. Many people use their vacation or sick leave for an inpatient drug rehab program. As long as it is not a requirement for your job, you are under no obligation to tell.
Seeking Treatment while Working
If you are seeking treatment while you’re still working, you can use your sick leave or you can attend outpatient treatment. Outpatient treatment allows you to seek treatment without leaving work or school. For more information on these treatment types call us at 888-646-0865 (Who Answers?) .
