by ArtiSiN

Created on: May 24, 2009   Last Updated: June 27, 2009

Fear is perhaps the most crippling emotion to human progression. It can cause one to avoid precious moments in life such as talking to a beautiful woman or traveling overseas. More importantly, fear of being shamed in the public and private sectors can keep one from seeking the medical treatment that they require for addiction. These fears may include job security, real estate, and eligibility for government programs. Ironically, if one continues to succumb to their addiction without seeking help from drug treatment centers then they paint themselves prime targets for discrimination with no protection from the law. This may seem like a classic catch twenty-two scenario, yet it is within your right to receive confidential help from drug treatments centers without being discriminated against. To enumerate, those who do seek out drug treatment centers and become rehabilitated are protected from discrimination under: The Americans with Disabilities Act, The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Fair Housing Act, and The Workforce Investment Act. These acts insure protection of your rights on the job, rights to housing, and rights to government services. Once you know the law is on your side you can then begin to search for drug treatment centers that best cater to your needs.

Your rights in the workplace, rights to housing, and rights to government programs are protected once you stop using illicit drugs and have received help from drug treatment centers for rehabilitation. By law you are allowed to receive medical treatment from drug treatment centers without being penalized or ostracized in the workplace. Therefore it is unlawful for your job to disclose any information regarding your medical situation to anyone without your prior consent. With that said, employer access to your Medicaid or other medical insurance is confidential. Also, drug treatment centers require dedication to rehabilitation which means that taking time off from work is necessary. If you have met your jobs requirements for medical leave then your employers are obliged to give you the room necessary for rehabilitation, which encompasses further rearranging of your work schedule to revolve around your drug treatment center's medical treatment. Furthermore potential employers are forbidden to probe into your past participation in drug treatment centers and substance abuse problems, as it falls under discriminatory practices. Similarly, the law provides protection for rehabilitated users who participated in drug treatment centers when searching for housing. This means that those with a past substance abuse problem that have no unlawful convictions are given the same chance to purchase property as everybody else. Refusing property to one based on past illegal drug use or time spent in drug treatment centers is considered housing discrimination and is not tolerated in a court of law. As it may take some time to get back on ones feet after an especially crippling battle with drug and/or alcohol abuse, the law provides for protection of your rights to government services such as: welfare, housing assistance, job or employment assistance or licensing programs.

Fear can be a huge barrier to action when conquering an addiction. For this reason it is ethical for all drug treatment centers to keep your records confidential, insuring protection of your image in the community and workplace. Once you learn that confidentiality in taking part in drug treatment centers is secured by law as are your rights in the workplace, housing, and government programs there is no excuse not to pursue treatment.

Learn more about this author, ArtiSiN.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.