Many people who underwent drug rehab are concerned about what might come as they walk through a new change of life. In America, around 21 million people suffer from drug addiction, and only 10% receive treatment. It’s easy as it may seem to hear, but having a record can be quite shameful for them. As a result, it greatly deters them from having the likelihood for rehabilitation. So, does drug rehab go on your record?
You have to choose the right people that must know your issues, or you may also choose the right treatment. Moreover, the concern for stigma can be quite intimidating in society. That’s why you want to make yourself as private and confidential as possible. This article will tell you all about your privacy rights, some federal laws, and suggestions as to who you want to disclose your record too.
What Is Drug Rehabilitation
Drug Rehabilitation is a treatment process for individuals who are dependent on psychoactive drugs. Its goal is to help drug addicts overcome their desire to adhere to these drugs. It requires intensive intervention and monitoring all the time.
What Are Some Laws That Can Help You
Keeping on the right track can be as hard as you may think after drug rehab. Applying for jobs or trying not to compromise your reputation must be dealt with. Even for teenagers, keeping up with their academics without no one knowing can be stressful. Whether you will disclose your drug rehab or not, it’s all up to you. You don’t need to feel restless about your drug rehab disclosure. There are laws about the safeguard of one ‘s privacy.Let’s find out the answer to our question: Does drug rehab go on your record?
1. American With Disabilities Act or ADA: Employment Law
Supposedly, after rehab, you want to apply for a job. Naturally, employers want to know you better. They may or may not question you about your relation to drugs. With that, it’s better to know your rights before diving into answering those questions. An important law that protects rehabilitated addicts for employment can be known as the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Individuals who are qualified under the ADA law must:
Individuals who are not qualified are:
2. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: Employment Law
Perhaps you might be anxious if an employer tries to question anything about drug-related questions. Another law that can help you is the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to ease your worry if drug rehab goes on your record.
This law regulates interview questions. Employers are not allowed to ask anything about your rehab or anything about your drug habits. You can always choose to decline the question whenever you’re cornered. Although, it can be pretty bad if you lied and your employer would know about it. Whenever you’re asked about that question, just be honest and tell what you have become.
3. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Or HIPAA
There seems to be a lot of concern regarding confidentiality if you come from rehab. This law will answer our question: does drug rehab go on your record? A privacy law, known as HIPAA or Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, established a policy for all facilities in this treatment program that protects the information of rehab patients. It concerns the right of patients to confidentiality.
You have the right to know who has access to your medical record and that any information regarding you cannot be shared without your consent. Besides that, you can request to protect your information from specific people or third parties such as insurance companies and your employer. If any rules are violated under this law, you have every right to file a complaint.
4. The Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records
Another law that can further your privacy protection and be similar to HIPAA is The Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records. This regulation prohibits drug abuse programs from disclosing your treatment without your written consent.
It’s important to note that such regulation can be overruled to some extent, such as child abuse and criminal suspicions about you. It’s also not bound just on this law but other laws as well. Even the drug rehab program may give your information without your written consent if the court issues an order for your record. Another thing is during medical emergencies, and doctors would need your record in times of such an event.
People Who You Should Disclose It To
According to experts, they encourage all drug rehab patients to disclose their treatment to encourage others to do so. But you might be worried about how it will affect your new environment if you share such information. Certainly, you may be thinking that you don’t want any of your family to be caught up in any discrimination because of you. In the end, you just want to struggle with hiding it to protect them. If you want fewer people to know, who should you disclose it to?
There are no better people than telling your problem to your family. They are the only people with whom you can fully share your burden and fully support you along the way. Keep in touch and never be ashamed to tell them.
Be always mindful of your security. This keeps on your medical rehab tabs to keep away your financial burden. If you are worried about confidentiality, Insurance Companies should comply with confidentiality laws with drug rehab programs.
If you are comfortable with your most trusted friend, let him be part of your success as you overcome it. Sharing with someone outside your family that cares for you can be a great start–lessening your feelings of embarrassment.
It’s best to avoid misunderstandings in your work. Telling your boss of your drug treatment can be beneficial for you to avoid unnecessary termination. Giving him your trust will help you more. Employers may recommend you use your Employee Assistance Program or EAP if you are currently in drug rehab while at work.
In most cases, you might be pondering the best thing to do in this circumstance is just sit and live the best of your life quietly. There can be a lot of benefits to letting anyone know about your recovery too. You can be a motivator for that and become a good example. Another one is, the lessons you’ve learned during rehab can be taught not just to drug addicts but children as well.
Conclusion
Now to finally answer the question, does drug rehab go on your record?
It is a Yes and No!
As stated in the different laws above, it usually depends on your situation. It is always your prerogative to disclose your information to anyone you choose. Those laws can protect you anytime but keep in mind that there are exceptions and boundaries to look for. Be wary of those exceptions and avoid those acts to attain the privacy you want. Hopefully, that answers the question you’ve been looking for.
