Returning to work after rehab can be both exciting and stressful. If you’re returning to the same workplace, you may worry about how co-workers who knew you before treatment will react. Working in a new environment holds its own challenges. In either case, you may be concerned about your privacy or maintaining your health in a high-stress workplace.
These feelings are completely typical for anyone who’s been in rehab. Going back to work is part of rebuilding your life without a substance or alcohol use disorder controlling your thoughts and actions. Juggling the demands of home, family, and work isn’t easy when you are new to recovery, but you have the skills to be successful on every front.
Understand Your Legal Rights as a Person in Recovery
When certain conditions are met, the United States Department of Labor recognizes substance use disorder as a serious condition. The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protects workers who must miss work because of a serious health condition. If you meet the requirements, you cannot be terminated for missing work while in rehab.
If you require ongoing treatment once completing rehab, your job will still be protected as long as you meet the FMLA requirements. Those requirements include that you worked approximately 25 hours or more per week for the prior 12 months before leaving for rehab and that your workplace has been employing at least 50 people within a 75-mile radius for the past 12 months.
However, the FMLA does not protect people with substance use disorder if they are breaking company rules regarding drug or alcohol use. For example, if you possess or use illegal substances anywhere on company property, your employer may be within their rights to fire you.
Regardless of health status, you are still required to follow all company policies, just like any other employee.
Communicate With Your Employer for Further Accommodations
If you’re returning to the same place of work after rehab, there’s no reason not to be upfront with your employer. They already know or suspect you are struggling with a substance use disorder.
Speak with the human resources department if you need specific days/hours off for outpatient treatment or support meetings. You may also need to certify requests with a note from your medical provider.
The conditions of the FMLA allow you to request reduced hours if needed. Working part-time could provide a smoother transition and give you the time needed for continued treatment.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a person who has completed rehab and is remaining drug-free.
Best Tips for Returning to Work
Dealing with your employer and the legalities around your leave is only the first step. You may also be concerned about reuniting with coworkers or handling the stress of your job. Try these tips to help you feel confident and prepared as you transition back to work after rehab.
Stay Positive
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, more than 20 million people in the U.S. are currently affected by substance use disorders. This means that the chance that at least one of your coworkers loves someone with an addiction issue — or has one themselves — is high.
A successful transition starts with you. Focus on the people who are supporting you and rooting for your success. Make every effort to be a positive example, and use the skills you learned in rehab to establish healthy communication habits with coworkers.
Returning to work offers an opportunity to rebuild relationships. If you have amends to make with co-workers, make them, but do so on your own time.
Stay Balanced
Residential treatment gives people the rare opportunity to devote their time to nothing but their healing for 30 to 90 days — or more. Managing the responsibilities of regular life after rehab is a challenge under any circumstances. The key is maintaining a balance between work and recovery.
Take time for self-care to avoid the risk of relapsing. Looking after your physical and mental health can help you be a better employee and a better person overall. Be vigilant about practicing good self-care habits, such as:
- Eating a balanced diet
- Reading
- Exercising
- Spending time with family and sober friends
- Meditating, journaling, and other mindfulness practices
- Hobbies and activities
- Getting adequate sleep
You may need to set strict boundaries in your work life to achieve a healthy balance. Habits like avoiding work communications during non-work hours and leaving work at the appointed time each day will be helpful.
Develop a Routine That Supports Recovery
Both inpatient and outpatient rehab services establish a routine for your daily life. You likely had to follow a schedule and show up to meetings or meals on time. Developing a routine after rehab is similarly helpful for people who are still struggling with fears about what they will do with too much time on their hands.
Returning to work after rehab helps to maintain a routine, but work doesn’t last 24 hours a day. Create a schedule that reflects your new desire for health and stability. Daily habits like writing in a journal before work or going to 12-step meetings on specific days can be beneficial.
Plan for Stress
Every job comes with stress. Stress isn’t always a negative thing; the stress of being late for work helps get you out of bed in the morning when the alarm rings. However, too much or poorly managed stress can lead to problems.
Stress often comes from the desire to control people or events. If a work presentation doesn’t go as well as you’d wanted, you may feel stressed afterward. On the other side, if someone — like a boss — is trying to control you, you may feel stressed as well.
It’s not a matter of “if” going back to work will bring stress. The issue is how will you handle it. Decide in advance what you’ll do to manage stress and prevent it from negatively affecting your health.
Be Vigilant About Relapse Symptoms
Everyone who completes substance use disorder treatment is concerned about the possibility of relapse. Relapsing is not only a threat to your health, but it’s also a threat to your livelihood. Will your employer give you a third chance? Will you have the courage to go back to your workplace if everyone knows of your struggle?
Vigilant honesty about your triggers, emotions, and behavior is needed to avoid relapse. Today, most recovery experts agree relapse begins long before a person actually takes a drug or a drink. There are three stages to relapse: emotional, mental, and physical.
Emotional relapse begins when a person starts thinking about drugs or alcohol. They may start neglecting their health, which can lead to depression and poor stress management.
Mental relapse occurs when the person starts to debate whether they should try substances again. They may romanticize “old times” and begin to think of their substance use days as fun and adventurous. Physical relapse is the act of taking a drink or ingesting a substance. Waiting until the physical act has happened makes recovery much more difficult.
Relapse symptoms to be aware of include:
- Increased stress
- Loss of interest in other activities
- Mood swings
- Missing support meetings or not participating when you attend
- Internalizing emotions
- Poor self-care, such as not eating healthy and not exercising
- Experiencing cravings
- Planning a relapse in your head
- Minimizing the past and possible consequences
Knowing that relapse plays out over stages gives you time to take action. Speak to your sponsor or a mental health professional about your concerns if you notice these signs.
Beware of Burnout
Watch for signs of mental, emotional, and physical burnout as you return to work. During the early stages of recovery, exhaustion is typical. If you’re starting to dread going to work or feeling you’re too tired for other things, take steps to restore balance.
You could be working too much, or it could be time for a change. The job you loved when you were misusing drugs or alcohol may not be as satisfying once you are in recovery.
Coping With Discrimination
While many people today are educated enough on substance use issues to avoid discriminating, some coworkers might treat you differently when you return to work after rehab.
As long as you are not currently misusing substances, the American Disabilities Act protects you from discrimination. If you believe you are being overlooked for assignments or promotions because of your substance use, speak with your HR representative.
Filing an official complaint may be the best option. Additionally, your HR representative may have ideas for resolving conflicts with coworkers or supervisors that don’t require legal action.
Remember that many people are struggling or know someone who is struggling with the same issues. If a coworker tries to talk to you about rehab, it may not be out of discrimination. They may be seeking information for themselves or a family member.
Before assuming the worst, carefully consider what the person is saying. You can gain further perspective by speaking with a third party, such as a sponsor or trusted friend.
What if You Don’t Want to Return to Work After Rehab?
Earning a paycheck will become necessary at some point after treatment, but don’t be surprised if the experience of recovery has changed your career goals. Whether you want to change locations or move in a completely new direction, there are many resources to help you.
People often decide to move to a new location after completing rehab. If you wish to continue working for the same company, talk to your employer or the HR department about relocation options.
If launching a new career is your goal, congratulations. It’s never too late to start again. Work with a career counselor to make an action plan for your new venture. Joining your treatment center’s alumni group may also provide opportunities you never even imagined before.
Keeping the Balance Between Work and Recovery
Recovery teaches people to take life one day, one step at a time. Going back to work after rehab is a big but necessary step toward living an independent and stable life. You’re not obligated to share personal information with coworkers, but planning what you do and don’t want to say in advance will make the transition easier.
Keep a positive attitude and use all the new skills you’ve learned in treatment to manage your stress and stay healthy. That includes watching out for relapse symptoms. If you are concerned about relapsing, take action immediately. Waiting until physical relapse has happened makes everything — including keeping your job — more complicated.
If you discover your old career is no longer fulfilling your needs, don’t despair. Being in recovery opens many doors to a healthier, happier life. Some of those doors, like a new career, are surprises.
At APN Lodge, we support your wellness journey every step of the way — from rehab to recovery and beyond. To find a comprehensive treatment program, call us at 855.934.1178 or submit our confidential contact form today.
References
- Minkove, Judy F. “New Research and Insights into Substance Use Disorder.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, 30 June 2022, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/articles/2022/06/new-research-and-insights-into-substance-use-disorder.
