Lake Worth 3/17/2012 4:10:00 AM
News / Health & Wellness

How To Tell Your Boss That You Need Time Off For Drug And Alcohol Treatment

Sometimes Drug Treatment Has to come first

It can frightening for an addict to enter a drug and alcohol treatment program, but it can be more terrifying to think about how to tell your boss you need time off for addiction treatment. There is no easy way around the subject. You need to approach it with a straightforward and honest attitude, which your boss will most likely appreciate.

Many addicts are afraid that they will lose their job if they take time off for drug and alcohol treatment. While that might have been the case in previous years, more bosses and companies are recognizing that addiction is a disease, not unlike heart disease or diabetes, and requires employees struggling with the disease to seek treatment that may take them away from the office.

An additional benefit of the changing times is changing attitudes. Bosses and companies realize that when an employee takes time off to seek treatment for their addiction, they will return to their job much stronger, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well, which will, in turn, enable them to perform their job more effectively. So for an addict to seek drug and alcohol treatment and take time away from their job is a win-win situation for boss and employee.

Addiction is no longer viewed with the same social stigma as it once was, and addicts are receiving support from some unlikely sources. Companies understand that for an employee to seek help for their addiction will make them a better employee and a happier person in the long run. They best way to tell your employer is as soon as possible with honesty and courage.  Your Boss will respect you for it.