How Do You Talk to Your Employer About Going to Rehab?

Once you’ve accepted that you need help with treating abuse of drugs or alcohol that has overtaken your life, you’ve made a big step toward a better life for yourself and have already cleared the hurdle of denial and addiction. Still, you have a lot to figure out early on—where you want to go to get help and what kind of treatment program is best for you, for example. Another big question is common for someone like you at this early point of seeking help: How to tell your employer you are going to rehab. 

It can feel like an impossibly difficult conversation to start, but some tips can help you plan and decide what you want to say. It’s crucial to understand that despite the difficulty, federal protections can help you get the professional treatment you need while still keeping your job and having your career to go back to following rehab. Let’s explore how you can have this conversation and get the help you need to start on your road to recovery and a better life.

Do I Have to Tell My Employer I’m Going to Rehab?

If you’re wondering how to tell your employer you are going to rehab, you might think you can just skip the conversation entirely and not tell them. However, you will need to be upfront about the situation to get protections for your job and keep the employer in the loop about your upcoming absence or treatment needs.

Like other medical situations, you don’t necessarily need to go into detailed explanations of what’s going on—your medical condition is your business, and you are entitled to privacy as much as possible. Still, you need to give them enough information to understand that you are struggling with a medical condition and that you have a plan to get the treatment you need to manage this disease. 

You’ll want your employer to know the basics of what’s going on—that you’re seeking treatment for an addiction, how long this treatment is expected to take, and any kind of accommodations you might need or want as you return to work following treatment. However, you don’t have to disclose every detail about your addiction history, and it’s up to you to decide how much you want to share with your employer.

It is essential to be upfront and honest as you explain your situation and reassure them that you have a plan from professionals that can help you get back on your feet. Ultimately, getting help for an addiction will help you become stable once again and assist you with becoming a more productive employee in the future once you are better.

What Should I Say When Talking to My Employer About Rehab?

So, what are some suggestions on how to tell your employer you are going to rehab? In addition to being upfront and honest with them, you’ll want to emphasize some specific points to help them understand what’s going on with you and how you’re addressing the problem. 

Here are some things to consider as you plan what to say to your employer:

• Stress that you have a medical condition that requires treatment. Addiction is a chronic disease, not a moral failure, and just like diabetes, asthma, or other chronic conditions, it requires professional treatment to manage.
• Explain just how much your job means to you and that you see a bright future in this role once you get the medical treatment you need. Try to help them see a light at the end of the tunnel—you want them to understand that this will be a temporary period, not a permanent disappearance from the job.
• Choose an appropriate time and place to have this critical conversation. This is a private topic you should bring up when you and your employer have time to discuss it, figure out a good plan for getting treatment, and then return to your job.
• Consider having information available to help your employer get up to speed on your condition and treatment plans. You could give them materials about the drug or alcohol rehab center where you’re going to get help, or guide them to informative websites about how addiction treatment works and how people in recovery can thrive after their past struggles with addiction.
• Ensure your employer has a chance to talk as well. They’ll likely have some questions and might want to offer supportive words of encouragement. Listen to them and respond as much as possible, but remember that you don’t need to disclose every detail of your medical condition.

Can I Be Fired for Going to Rehab?

One of the things that might be stressing you out as you consider how to tell your employer about your plans to get addiction treatment is what will happen once they know the situation, and if you can be fired for going to rehab. 

It’s important to remember that there are ways to go to drug rehab without losing your job, and that’s because of federal protections that are in place that apply to people who are treating medical conditions.

For more than three decades, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) has been a vital source of protection for people who are struggling with addiction. Under this federal law, FMLA leave can be taken for substance use disorder treatment as long as it’s from a health care provider or a referred specialist from a health care provider. This allows you to get the help you need and take time off to get treatment while knowing you’ll be able to return to your job.

There are many restrictions of the FMLA, and you need to meet specific guidelines to be protected. It’s also important to know that FMLA leave can’t be granted because of substance use—it will only be possible to take time off for treatment of a substance use disorder.

The Americans with Disabilities Act can also provide some job protections by guaranteeing that someone with disabilities, including substance use disorder, gets the same rights as everyone else. For example, under the ADA, discrimination against a “qualified person with a disability” is prohibited at all stages of employment.

It’s important to know that the ADA only applies to private employers with at least 15 employees, but it can still be one more safety net while you get the help you need.

How Can My Workplace Support My Recovery Journey?

A supportive workplace can be a massive assistance to you as you seek treatment for addiction. For example, an understanding and compassionate employer who makes schedule accommodations for you while you get help with an outpatient rehab program for addiction can make the process much less stressful. It’s also reassuring to know that your employer is on your side as you start addiction treatment and gain the new skills you’ll need to successfully live a full life in recovery after drug or alcohol abuse.

How to Tell Your Employer You Are Going to Rehab? Get Help From Resurgence Behavioral Health in California

If you’re still wondering how to tell your employer you are going to rehab, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. When you call Resurgence Behavioral Health, we can help you start to understand your best treatment options. We’ll guide you through every step of the process, including verifying your insurance coverage and planning how to tell your employer, friends, and loved ones about your plans to get treatment. 

Addiction is a chronic disease that can be managed with the right help. Don’t let your uncertainties about your future job security prevent you from getting the help you need. Call us at 855-458-0050 today and let’s work together to plan how you can get started.

External Sources

• U.S. Department of Labor – Family and Medical Leave Act Advisor
• Cornell Law School – Leave for Treatment of Substance Abuse
• ADA National Network – The ADA, Addiction, Recovery, and Employment

David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.

Research | Editorial