The Family and Medical Leave Act for Addiction Treatment

The Family and Medical Leave Act for Addiction Treatment

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that took effect back in 1993. FMLA guarantees certain employees up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave in a year for serious health issues or to care for a family member with a serious health issue, with no threat of job loss. It also requires that employers keep the health benefits for workers, just as if they were working. FMLA applies to Federal, State, schools, and private businesses that employ over 50 people for at least 20 workweeks during a single year.  FMLA applies to employees who work for a covered employer, has worked there for at least a year, worked at least 1,25o hours during that year, and their job must be where at least 50 people work, or within a 75 mile radius of such location. There are many rules and regulations to the FMLA, it is important to talk to your HR department and a legal professional to learn of all the options available. If you have a job but are suffering from addiction and want to get treatment, you can use the FMLA. FMLA can be used for substance abuse treatment provided by a health care provider or by a provider of health care services on referral by a health care provider. It can be difficult to talk to your employer about your addiction but it is seen as a disability by the law and the law will protect your rights to get treatment and return to your job. With the FMLA you can return to your same or an equivalent position at your job. You will not lose any pay in your return or any benefits, if you were entitled to a bonus before the FMLA, you will still receive it. While FMLA is unpaid leave, some employers require that you use any and all paid time off (PTO) first. This can help keep things financially stable while you are receiving treatment but if not there are also some private and disability insurances. Using FMLA can leave addicts feeling hopeful, because after treatment they still get to go back their job with no problems. Many employers want to make sure that their employees are healthy in and out of the workplace. If your company does not have FMLA you should see if they offer Employment Assistance Programs (EAPs). These are different from the FMLA. FMLA can be used for substance abuse treatment if certain inpatient or continuing treatment are met. Employers can also not take action against the employee if they use FMLA for substance abuse, unless there is an established policy for all employees that no drug use is allowed. Employees with family members receiving substance abuse treatment can also use FMLA to take care of that family member. The FMLA is a right that you have, that can save your life and your job. Everyone who applies for FMLA will have to fill out certain documents and get them signed by the health care provider, this does not mean you must share medical records with them. FMLA can also be used for ongoing therapy. Using FMLA can help you get the treatment you need and still keep your job. Addiction: The National Institute on Drug Abuse says it’s a chronic disease. It knows no boundaries of socioeconomic class, gender, race, intelligence, or age. Addiction affects people all across the globe, from movie stars and political leaders to grandparents. Addition is a relapsing brain disease that has certain characteristics such as a compulsion to continue using the substance no matter how negative the consequences. Addiction changes your loved one’s brain and body. Chemical Dependence describes a pattern of substance (drugs or alcohol) use and the inability to stop using leading to significant problems in daily living. Chemical Dependency can be a psychological as well as a physical need to use alcohol or other drugs that doesn’t go away even when using them causes negative consequences. Individuals chemically dependent on a substance, like alcohol or drugs, lose their power of choice pertaining to the substance as well as their ability to make rational choices. Chemical Dependency is a disease that does not see age, sex, race, religion, or economic status. It is a chronic and progressive disease, and if untreated, it can be fatal. It is important to treat addiction and chemical dependency in an atmosphere of support, understanding, respect and confidentiality. Patients are people with treatable diseases. Understanding that patients suffering from the disease of addiction need specialized attention is important. The emphasis is on the individual and an opportunity to meet each patient’s needs. With this in mind, the experienced staff treats the medical, physical, and emotional needs that patients experience during the treatment process. The treatment process focuses on the whole person, not just the physical addiction. Most rehabilitative treatment model is firmly rooted in the 12 Steps and uses a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities. A vital educational component  teaches people with chemical dependency the concept of understanding addiction as a disease. As a result of this understanding that dependency is a disease similar to other biological diseases (heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure), patients recognize that their dependency has specific signs and symptoms. This understanding will help patients follow recommendations and reduce shame and guilt commonly associated with chemical dependence. If you or a loved one needs help, you should look into all options at your job that would allow you to get treatment or helped your loved one through treatment. The sooner treatment is started the better. For more information about treatment, call 1-877-633-4896.