How The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Can Support Alcohol Addiction Treatment

by | Aug 19, 2021

Addiction can be a challenging and isolating struggle, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. If you are seeking addiction treatment in Louisville, Kentucky, there is hope.

Alcohol addiction is one of the most common forms of addiction in the country. While most of us think that alcoholics are typically people who are depressed and don’t have jobs, this isn’t true. Most of those battling alcoholism or addiction to alcohol are people who are employed, whether full-time or part-time. Some are functional alcoholics who can still run their lives very well, despite being alcoholics. Others, unfortunately, have serious alcohol addiction that is progressively ruining their lives including their jobs.

There are several dangers to using alcohol in the workplace. For starters, depending on your job, going to work while under the influence of alcohol can put you or your workmates in danger. This is especially true if you operate heavy machinery or work with dangerous substances. Additionally, you may be wasting your employer’s valuable time and money with low productivity or absenteeism.

One of the barriers to seeking alcohol addiction treatment is the fear of losing one’s job. A lot of those who are struggling with addiction while holding down jobs are afraid to seek help because they’re afraid that taking extended time off work could result in losing their jobs. Ironically, not seeking treatment for alcohol addiction places you at a greater risk of losing your job, especially if your employer has issued several warnings already.

The good news is that if you have an addiction of some sort and want to seek treatment, your job is protected under the Family Medical Leave Act.

The Family Medical Leave Act

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a law that was passed in January 1993. This law aimed to provide Americans with job stability, as well as access to employer-provided healthcare when going through family or personal health crises. This was meant to balance the demands of the workplace with families’ needs.

Under the FMLA, you can be eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave annually for certain qualifying reasons. During these 12 weeks, you’ll still have access to health insurance and medical benefits from your employer.

Qualifying reasons to be eligible for leave under FMLA include:

  1. The birth of a baby or taking care of a newborn within the first year of birth.
  2. To care for a severely ill immediate family member e.g. a child or spouse
  3. If an adoptive or foster child has been placed in your care, you can take leave during their first year of placement with your family.
  4. Caring for your own health in case of serious illness that affects your ability to perform the tasks and basic functions of your job.

Is Alcohol Addiction Treatment Covered Under the FMLA?

You may be wondering whether alcohol addiction is classified as a serious illness under FMLA. The answer is, yes. Addiction qualifies as a serious illness and is described as a complex disease that affects an individual emotionally, mentally, and physically. Because of this, your job is protected under the FMLA if you want to use your medical leave to seek addiction treatment. You can use those 12 weeks to check yourself into rehab and start the tough but rewarding journey toward recovery.

Keep in mind that you just can’t skip work for days because of your alcohol abuse and claim leave under FMLA. Your absence from work needs to be due to substance abuse treatment provided by a healthcare provider and you have to notify your employer of your intention to take this leave. Otherwise, you’ll be seen to have absconded from work and may face disciplinary action for it. Also, remember that your employer may have a zero-tolerance policy towards drug and alcohol use in the workplace. If this is the case, the FMLA won’t protect you from disciplinary action or termination.

Eligibility Criteria for FMLA Medical Leave

If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, it’s important to receive early intervention with the appropriate treatment. This makes the medical leave from FMLA a godsend. You are eligible for this leave if:

  • You are employed by a covered employer.
  • You have worked for this employer for at least 12 months (non-consecutively).
  • You have clocked at least 1,250 hours of work in the 12 months preceding your medical leave.
  • You work in a location where your employer has at least 50 employees within a 75-mile radius.

You may be wondering who a “covered employer” is and if yours is one of them. According to the U.S Department of Labor, a covered employer is:

  • Any federal, state, or local government agency
  • Any public or private elementary or secondary school
  • Any private-sector employer who has 50 or more employees working 20 or more weeks each year

Now that you know whether your employer is covered and if you’re eligible for medical leave under the FMLA, you can make the important decision to seek treatment before it’s too late.

Depending on the severity of your addiction, you may need to go for detox. Detox may last anywhere from a few days to weeks and this may add to the length of your stay in rehab. After detox, you can then proceed with the rest of your treatment plan. The type of addiction treatment program you enroll in will again depend on the severity of your addiction as well as your individual recovery needs.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Louisville Kentucky

If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, help is available. At Impact IOP- Louisville Addiction Treatment Center in Kentucky, we provide intensive outpatient addiction treatment programs to help people just like you to get their lives back on track.

You don’t have to allow alcohol to ruin your life and you don’t have to wait until you lose your job to take things seriously. The earlier you act, the better it is for you. With our intensive outpatient program, you can beat alcohol addiction, save your job and rebuild your life. All you have to do is reach out to us today. We’ll be glad to help you.

Download this article

Our Latest Posts

How Can I Get Checked-In Anonymously To An Addiction Treatment Center?

Seeking help for an addiction can be difficult, but admitting you have an addiction in the first place can be even tougher. Everyone who seeks help for their addiction has to go through the process of admitting they need help, which isn’t always easy to do. While...

What to Know Before Asking for Time Off Work for Addiction Treatment

You can get the addiction treatment you need and still keep your job. In fact, your employer may be very supportive of the process.  After all, if you’re a good employee, they’ll want to hold on to you. That said,...

Intensive Outpatient Drug Treatment In Louisville

When you need support to overcome drug and alcohol addiction but also want to keep living your normal life without lengthy stays in rehab, intensive outpatient drug treatment in Louisville is the answer. By providing the best of both worlds, our team of friendly and...

Outpatient Drug Treatment In Louisville

Although an inpatient residential treatment program will often be the best course of action when it comes to severe substance addiction, this is not going to be necessary for everyone. Those who have a mild substance abuse problem with alcohol or drugs may well...

Insights into Xanax as a Controlled Substance and Why Rehab May Be Necessary

As we burrow deeper into the twenty-first century, awareness and conversation around mental health, and by extension, the medication designed to alleviate its symptoms, grows ever more critical. Indeed, anxiety disorders are one of the most prevalent psychiatric...

Navigating the Timeline of a 12-Step Program in Substance Abuse Recovery

Embarking on the journey of substance abuse recovery through a 12-step program can be both challenging and transformative. From acknowledging the need for change to achieving long-term sobriety, each step in the process plays a crucial role in the individual's...

7 Strategies for a Successful Career Comeback Post-Addiction

Embarking on a career comeback after battling addiction can be a daunting yet rewarding journey. Whether you're reentering the workforce after completing a rehabilitation program or navigating the challenges of maintaining sobriety while pursuing professional goals,...

How Cocaine Addiction Affects the Cardiovascular System

The grip of cocaine addiction extends far and wide, impacting countless lives with its insidious reach. Among its many destructive effects, the toll it takes on cardiovascular health looms large and ominous. Cocaine's potent stimulant properties unleash a series of...

Calculating the Real Cost: How Alcohol Abuse Impacts Your Finances

Alcohol consumption is a deeply ingrained part of various cultures around the world, often linked with socializing, celebrations, and relaxation. However, for some, these associations can lead to an unhealthy dependency, not only affecting personal health but also...

Medication-Assisted Therapy in Modern Drug Rehabilitation and How it Helps in Recovery

In the age of opioid epidemics and rising substance abuse cases, the traditional models of drug rehabilitation have to evolve. While abstinence-based programs continue to be a core pillar of recovery, they are being supplemented by a groundbreaking approach:...

Our Video’s

Call Now Button