Things You Need To Know Before Talking To Your Employer About Your Addiction

The first step to dealing with addiction is by acknowledging it. Most substance abusers are still employed and with a job, it is easy to convince yourself that you have everything in control. Some may even convince themselves that they need the substance in order to work efficiently, making it harder to quit. You need to recognize that by keeping the job and prolonging treatment, you are only dragging and compounding the negative impacts it has on your mental and physical health. What is the point of having a job if you have no health to spend your income on in the future? Take a good look at your situation and recognize that you have an addiction, that is the most important step to healing and recovering. You should also check out medication assisted treatments for recovery options that might benefit you.

In addition, working while having an addiction can be one of the most difficult and painful experiences. Especially with a pot load of emotions constantly threatening to boil over — fear, anxiety, and stress, all these are normal to feel as it can be difficult to bring up the topic of addiction with your boss and co-workers. As a result, it is easy to become stuck in the cycle of not being ‘ready’ to seek treatment and delaying the process. It’s only a matter of time before your health breaks down and you have no choice but to seek medical attention.

Instead, a gentler approach is to be honest with your colleagues about your struggles and gradually seek help.

Find your starting point

According to the Stages of Change model in the 1970s, there are five phases of change that needs to take place when it comes to dealing with substance addiction. Firstly, you need to recognize that you have an addiction to deal with. Afterward, you need to contemplate the reasons for change as well as how motivated you are to change. What are the pros and cons in store for you if you do quit drug usage? In addition, knowing your treatment options as well as lifestyle changes may prove to aid you in your journey. If possible, you may try adding a small change into your daily routine and see how it affects you. Once you feel like you have concrete reasons and a good sense of motivation to quit, you can implement proper change such as seeking professional help. Once that is over, the most crucial thing you need to do is to maintain the healthier lifestyle you’ve achieved and prevent future relapses from happening.

It is common for people to get stuck in the cycle of pre-contemplation and contemplation, especially if the decision seems too daunting for them at the moment. When something is too intimidating to deal with immediately, it helps to break it down or address it gradually. You do not have to attempt to change your life overnight, it can be done over a period of time in a healthier and more sustainable manner. Also, note that addiction is progressive and can worsen over time if not addressed. It is better to address it now than to ignore it until it becomes too late.

Sometimes you might not feel like you are ready or you are unsure about your own reasons for quitting the addiction. It may be useful to weight the pros and cons, as well as to find people who inspire you and motivate you to do better. It is also worthy to talk to people who have been in your shoes before or have recovered from addictions like your own. Speaking to a professional such as a counselor can also aid you in your journey. Sometimes voicing out your struggles is one way to internalize and recognize the situation you are in.

Seek professional help in public services or in support groups

If these are not available to you, going online is also an option. There are plenty of websites and apps that help to aid online recovery, as well as forums where you can seek advice on your situation. If need be, getting help from a hotline is also a viable option.

Waiting too long may result in you losing your job, and even more so, your health. Don’t wait until it’s too late, it is always better to seek treatment as soon as you can.

How to have the talk

Once you have explored all the options above and spoken to people who motivate you, you may find that it is easier to talk to your boss about your addiction. Maybe your colleagues have already been wondering about you but were too reluctant to prob at the subject. Telling might help to clarify some things they were concerned about and even provide a sense of relief. People often feel more fear of silence rather than honesty.

But before you speak to your boss, research about the company’s healthcare policies as it is important to know your rights. In some countries, drug and substance usage is a valid reason for them to fire you. In cases like these, know what are the accommodations and leave you are entitled to before seeking treatment. This usually does not extend to the abuse of illegal drugs, however, some form of support should still ensue. Your company may also offer assistance or counseling programs to help you with your addiction, and you may be pleasantly surprised to find that they prefer keeping existing employees rather than hiring new ones.

Conclusion

Be honest and open about your struggles as there is nothing more important than the truth. Any bits of false and skewed information can hurt your working relationships in the company. You might find feeling a sense of relief once you manage to tell your colleagues and maybe even be pleasantly surprised by the support that some people may give you. Once you have settled that, focus on your recovery while keeping an open mind. All forms of positivity and support will help you in your treatment process.