{"id":357793,"date":"2025-04-10T09:44:02","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T14:44:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/losing-a-job\/can-you-lose-your-job-for-going-to-rehab.html"},"modified":"2025-04-10T09:48:41","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T14:48:41","slug":"can-you-lose-your-job-for-going-to-rehab","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/losing-a-job\/can-you-lose-your-job-for-going-to-rehab.html","title":{"rendered":"Can You Lose Your Job for Going to Rehab?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Can You Lose Your Job for Going to Rehab?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Going to rehab does not automatically mean losing your job. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, your job is protected if you seek treatment for substance abuse, provided the substance use doesn\u2019t impair job safety. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) also allows eligible employees to take up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave for health-related issues, including rehab. Employers cannot use your health information against you, thanks to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Employers evaluate employees based on work performance and behavior on the job. But your boss doesn\u2019t always know why your job performance improves or declines. There are some jobs, like driving or piloting, where you may face regular drug and alcohol tests<\/a>. In an office job, you could go your whole career and never see a drug test.<\/p>\r\n

If you know you have a substance abuse issue that is affecting your job, you probably want treatment. Your company’s health insurance may even cover inpatient treatment programs. But that means taking time off work and telling your employer about your struggles.<\/p>\r\n

Your next concern is whether you might lose your job for admitting you have a drug or alcohol problem or asking for time off for rehab. If you handle it right, you are job-protected when you seek rehabilitation.<\/p>\r\n

Federal Laws and Substance Abuse<\/h2>\r\n

The Americans with Disabilities Act<\/a> (ADA) protects those with disabilities in the workplace. The ADA covers substance use disorder if any of the following are true:<\/p>\r\n