What If I’m Fired For Going To Drug Detox?

If you are seeking rehab treatment for drug or alcohol addiction, the last thing you want to think about is losing your job. Regrettably, this is a real possibility.

Due to shoddy employment protections, there is little to do except look for a new job.

Unfortunately, employers can fire you for going to drug detox. However, you still have options.

Loopholes and Gaps in Employment Protections

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is supposed to help protect people with disabilities from unfair hiring and firing practices. This should include substance use disorder (SUD). Unfortunately, most places implement at-will hiring practices.

This means that an employer can fire you for any reason at any time. So long as they do not express SUD as the reason for firing you, employers can get away with terminating you for pursuing treatment at a detox facility. 

Additionally, the ADA does not include illegal substance addiction as a disability. As such, employers do not have to allow time off for drug detox. They can implement policies against the use of drugs and alcohol without any legal repercussions. They can fire you for seeking treatment for illegal substances if it breaks their company guidelines. 

For these reasons, employers may fire you while you are going to drug detox. Even if you are in a protected class, it can prove tedious and nearly impossible to prove that an employer violated the law. Also, if the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) proves disability discrimination, they still cannot force the employer to re-hire you.

Rather than seeking to regain your previous job, it will be more advantageous to find a new position. 

Job Seeking Tips for People in Recovery

While in recovery, you will experience more difficulties when it comes to getting hired. When looking for a new job, you can take certain steps to increase your odds of finding gainful employment. It is important to consider the actions you can take to succeed in the difficult job market.

Optimize Your Resume

Typically, a potential employer sees your resume before anything else. A resume offers job recruiters a first impression. It conveys more than most people realize. Obviously, it gives them a summary of your skillset, education, and work experience. It also conveys some of your personality and core values. Do you focus on helping others? Do you care about diversity and adaptability? Do you invest in continued education?

All of these elements can help an employer decide whether you are the right fit for their team and company.

If you are going to invest time into improving any one aspect of your professional image, you should focus on the resume. A stellar resume can open the door to many opportunities. While resumes may not combat all the difficulties of finding a job after treatment, they can take you further than you'd expect.

Many unemployment agencies, educational institutions, and local governments offer job assistance. Reach out to one of these groups to receive free assistance with your resume. If you cannot access any of these resources, you might find it worth your money to consult a professional resume writer. They have experience writing and editing the best hiring documents.

Prepare for the Work Gap Question

Once you have fixed up your resume, you need to prepare for the dreaded job interview question: “Can you explain this gap of time in which you weren't working?” Employers want to know why you were not working. They like to know if you were let go or if you took time off of your own accord.

Your answer to this question could cause issues though. You do not know whether an employer will rule you out for your substance use disorder (SUD). You also could lose an opportunity by admitting that your employer fired you.

As a person in recovery, it is especially important that you plan your answer ahead of time. You are already facing the societal stigma that puts you at a disadvantage in these situations. To prepare your response, answer these questions:

• Do you want to disclose your SUD?
• How much do you want to share?
• Will the employer likely find out about your SUD?

An appropriate answer to the question might be: “I needed some time to handle a medical situation.” This response offers a simple and short explanation. It omits the fact that you were fired, but it does not directly lie. If an employer later discovers information about your SUD, you already explained that you had a medical situation. 

You can elaborate more than this answer if you feel so compelled. Whatever decision you make though, you should practice what you are going to say. Repeat it out loud a few times to get yourself comfortable saying the words.

Consult Job Assistance Programs

Job assistance programs make finding employment easier if you have a history of substance abuse. The Department of Labor's One-Stop Career Center offers assistance to anybody seeking employment. They can help you with your search. Therapeutic workplace programs offer you employment training and placement in exchange for continued sobriety. America in Recovery provides job listings with companies that do not exclude people based on SUD. 

Many states offer individual placement and support programs (IPSs) for people with severe mental illnesses. Since SUD is a brain disease, you may qualify for assistance through a state's ISP.

Finally, temp agencies can get you a temporary position while you are searching for a long-term job.

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Employment is important for people seeking recovery. Job instability can cause enough turmoil to induce relapses for people healing from substance use disorder. Unfortunately, many employers unjustly fire people for seeking out drug detox and rehabilitation

DetoxNearMe.com can help you in your search for effective drug detox. With hundreds of listings available, searching for a reputable, effective detox center is as easy as hitting search. You’ll be able to find a detox center near you quickly and efficiently.

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