It’s hard to battle drug addiction while working a full-time corporate job. You may have an incredibly demanding boss, not enough time in the day, and you may feel as though you’re constantly surrounded by people who don’t understand your struggle. The good news is, however, that there are ways to battle drug addiction while employed full-time.
Rights, Laws, and Protections for Employees
The first step in battling drug addiction while working a full-time corporate job is to know your rights at work. You need to know what you are entitled to under the law and learn about any protections that could help you if an issue arises. Both the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) are applicable in drug addiction cases and can protect you from being fired once you have checked into rehab.
Additionally, you may be entitled to medical leave during treatment under FMLA if you work for a covered employer, have worked for your employer for at least one year, and have worked at least 1250 hours in the previous 12 months.
You should also know about your company’s policies on drug addiction. Many companies now have policies that allow employees to take time off for treatment or to attend support group meetings. You may also be able to work from home with limited hours if you are attending an outpatient program.
Stereotypes and Fears of Attending Rehab While Employed
There are many stereotypes and fears associated with attending rehab while employed. One of the most common is that you will be fired as soon as your boss finds out. However, this is not always the case. In fact, the ADA protects employees from being discriminated against based on a disability.
People are also often scared that they will be judged by their co-workers or that their addiction will be made public. However, as long as you attend rehab and return to work in a healthy and productive manner, your co-workers are likely to be supportive (if they even know that you went through that).
In addition to stereotypes about drug addiction itself, there is also fear that attending rehab will interfere with your work. Because of this, you may feel as though it would be best to keep your addiction a secret.
Going to Outpatient Rehab After Work
Staying in a facility for 24 hours per day is not an option for everyone, despite legal protection. Many people have work obligations that cannot wait as well as children and other things that restrict them from doing so. If your condition is not as severe, outpatient rehab is a great option for you.
If you do choose to attend outpatient rehab after work, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. First of all, make sure that your treatment program is conducive to working a full-time job. Some programs will have strictly scheduled sessions or require patients not to leave the facility between certain hours for safety reasons. These programs may not be a good fit for those with work obligations.
It is also important that you attend outpatient rehab on your own terms and at times that are convenient for you. If staying sober conflicts with the way your schedule works, it will likely become difficult to maintain sobriety. Therefore, make sure that treatment fits into your life instead of the other way around.
There are many ways to battle drug addiction while working a full-time corporate job. By knowing your rights, knowing what your treatment options are, and knowing what is expected of you at work, you can beat your addiction.
