Using FMLA to Attend Alcohol and Drug Rehab Programs

Using FMLA for alcohol and drug rehab is a legitimate use of the act. FMLA, more formally known as the Family and Medical Leave Act, was passed in 1993 as a way to help families coping with long-term health or medical conditions to keep their jobs and health benefits while getting the medical help they need. Although many people struggling with drug or alcohol addiction do not want their employer to know about their struggles, they can use FMLA to get help–and their job is protected. An employer cannot fire a person who uses FMLA to obtain rehab treatment for a substance abuse problem. 

At WhiteSands, we counsel incoming clients all the time about the rights afforded to them through FMLA. If you are living with an addiction to alcohol or drugs, you should remember that your health is a top priority. Drugs and alcohol will cause your mental and physical health to deteriorate. Getting help at a licensed rehab center like WhiteSands will help you safeguard your health and future, which is ultimately better for your work life too. Thousands of people have relied on FMLA to get the addiction treatment support they need and you can too. 

WhiteSands is a leading addiction treatment center that offers a full lineup of alcohol and drug treatment programs. Our substance abuse programming includes inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, aftercare, and medical detox. Substance addiction is a complex condition that involves mental, physical, and behavioral aspects–all of which require therapeutic approaches to manage effectively. With treatment at WhiteSands, you can get the individualized support you need to end your dependence on drugs or alcohol for good. 

 

Understanding FMLA: Basics and Eligibility

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law. FMLA allows workers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave from work for various health/medical-related reasons that include:

• Birth of an infant
• Caring for a sick spouse or immediate relative
• Caring for one’s health, which would include rehab addiction treatment

Employers are forbidden from firing or punishing employees who use FMLA. That means, if you have an alcohol or drug use disorder, you can use FMLA to take leave to get the treatment you need in most cases. FMLA can also be used to obtain mental health treatment, so if you have a dual diagnosis, which involves a substance use disorder and mental health disorder, you can use FMLA and take time away from work to get help. 

FMLA for Alcohol and Drug Rehab: How it Works

To use FMLA for alcohol and drug rehab, you will need to follow your employer’s policies related to initiating the proper leave-taking process. Your employer will likely require medical proof that you are taking medical leave to attend to your health condition. Many people dislike the necessity of telling their employer about their health condition. However, employees do not have to be overly explicit with details about their condition. Your health information is protected. You can take medical leave without confiding personal details about your mental or behavioral health condition. Employers know–should know–that your medical information is protected by law. 

Rights and Protections Under FMLA

Employees can invoke FMLA to obtain mental, behavioral, or physical health treatment. The right to use FMLA to take unpaid leave is protected by law. Employers cannot fire you or penalize you for taking unpaid leave for a medical reason. In other words, you do not have to worry about keeping your job while you are undergoing substance abuse treatment. Your workplace should have policies regarding FMLA in their general employment policy manuals. 

Preparing to Take Leave: Steps to Follow

If you want to use FMLA to take leave, you need to consult your employer’s FMLA policy in your workplace policy manual. You can also consult with your human resources department or your manager if you have questions about your employer’s process for taking this leave. The policy will outline the exact steps you should take to satisfy your employer’s requirements regarding your use of FMLA. 

The Impact of Rehab on Employment and Recovery

Employees who take care of their health and medical needs can become more reliable employees. If you have an addiction to alcohol or drugs, you are very likely not working up to your potential. Your employer may or may not already be aware of this. By tackling your disorder with legitimate behavioral health treatment at an accredited rehab facility like WhiteSands, you can improve your work performance and safeguard your health. With treatment and a changed lifestyle, you may become the best employee you can be, which will have a positive impact on your work and overall well-being. 

Overcoming Stigma: Seeking Help Through FMLA

Many people who have a substance use disorder fear the stigma of telling anyone, including their employer, about their need for behavioral health treatment. They fear that they will retain the stigma of alcohol or drug abuse and that their employer may lose trust in them. Although this is a natural fear, it does not negate the need for substance abuse treatment. Moreover, facing the stigma and overcoming the fear is crucial to your recovery journey. 

Generally, people who get help for their substance abuse disorder win respect for their willingness to tackle their condition. Employers cannot legally hold your substance abuse treatment against you. Moreover, you do not have to go into detail about your substance abuse. You can request leave for behavioral health treatment and omit unnecessary details that no one, including employers, needs to know. 

Post-Rehab: Returning to Work After FMLA Leave

Returning to work after FMLA feels different to different clients. Some people feel eager and excited to return to their job because they feel better, mentally and physically, and are ready to get back to their lives. On the other hand, some people feel apprehensive about returning to work after taking FMLA leave for rehab treatment. Colleagues may ask questions that border on being “too personal.” It can be difficult to get back into the daily swing of things at work. Moreover, work stressors may have impacted your drug or alcohol use. 

Rest assured that at WhiteSands, we will discuss the return process and how to maintain your recovery progress. You will have learned many strategies in rehab that are designed to help you cope with work and life stressors as well as other triggers that led you to abuse drugs or alcohol in the first place. 

Also, remember that substance abuse is common and that many individuals know someone (including themself) who needs substance abuse treatment too. You are not alone. You should return to work feeling good about yourself and hopeful for your future because you got the help you needed to manage your addiction. How WhiteSands Treatment Can Help

Call WhiteSands to learn more about our addiction treatment programs. You may need to use FMLA for inpatient treatment, but you may also prefer to enroll in an outpatient program, which may impact your work schedule to a lesser degree. The sooner you call, the sooner you can protect your health and future–not to mention your career. 

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.