How Can I Get Time Off Work to Stay at an Inpatient Center?

If you want to stay in an inpatient rehab center, you may want to make sure you will be able to take time off work in order to do so. Call 800-430-1407Who Answers? now to find the safest, most reliable rehab program for your specific needs.

I Want to Seek Inpatient Care: Should I Take Time Off?

If you are seeking inpatient treatment for a severe addiction and/or other issues associated with it and you have the ability to take time off work, it is probably best to take advantage of this option.

Those who seek inpatient care normally require more intensive treatment, and this can be a sign that work may be too much for you at this time. In addition, stress can be one of the biggest issues that leads to relapse, and work is often the number one stressor in many individuals’ lives (National Institute on Drug Abuse Archives). Therefore, if you are seeking inpatient care and you have the opportunity to take time off from work, it is often best to do so.

Talk to Your Employer

Working while in rehab may counteract your recovery efforts.

One of the best ways to ensure that you will be able to take time off work to seek and attend addiction treatment is to talk to your employer. Certain laws protect you from consequences that may be associated with your need for addiction rehab, and you may want to consult an employment lawyer before you do talk to your boss.

Keeping your employer in the know and being honest about your needs is one of the best ways to ensure that you will be able to work something out that benefits both of you.

Employee Assistance Programs

Many companies provide Employee Assistance Programs (or EAPs) that help patients with issues like addiction (US Office of Personnel Management). If your company has an EAP, you may want to ask what options it could provide you for the treatment of your addiction. Often, these programs will also provide follow-up treatment (usually in the form of mandatory drug tests to ensure that you are staying sober), and they will also help to ensure that your job will still be there when you return from treatment. Every company and every EAP is different, though, so it is important to find out what your particular employer will provide.

Know Your Rights

You have certain rights as an employee that should not be looked over. If you do not believe your employer will be able to help you seek the care you need, take advantage of your rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act, which allows employees who qualify to take a certain number of weeks off for medical reasons (US Department of Labor). During this time, your job will be secure and you will not have to be concerned about it being given away to someone else. Consulting with an employment lawyer on this subject could be helpful as well.

How to Talk to Your Family About Your Inpatient Rehab Choice

Strike a Deal

In some cases, there may be no way you can completely leave work for as long as you need to be in an inpatient rehab program. However, some facilities do make exceptions, and you may be able to work something out with your boss. For example, if your treatment facility will allow you to use a computer or cell phone for a certain amount of time a day, you will be able to correspond with your coworkers and employer and do other work from inside the treatment center.

It is important to consider what options could be available to you and how you may be able to work out your treatment in a way that will benefit your health and allow you to keep your job. Still, if you need time away from work to recuperate before you start the process of recovery and living with your daily stressors (including your job), make sure you find a compromise that allows you to take the time you need in order to recover safely.

Have You Found a Treatment Program for Your Recovery?

Call 800-430-1407Who Answers? now. We will help you find the best option for your needs as well as answer any questions you may have about addiction treatment and recovery.