How to Get Help After Losing Your Job to Addiction

Why Drug and Alcohol Use is a Big Issue for Employers

Many individuals across the United States use different addictive substances in their free time. Although they may assume the drugs will not cause any problems in their work life, it can happen. This is a common misconception that can lead to being fired.

Many drugs remain in your body for a long period, meaning a drug test could come back positive. This can lead the user to lose their job by having the drugs in their system.

Furthermore, using substances while on the job is even more dangerous. These kinds of actions can lead to injuring yourself, or worse, injuring others. If you have used addictive substances, there is a good chance your ability at work has suffered. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has found several symptoms to be aware of while working if you are abusing substances.

Signs of substance abuse include:

• Performance at work has gotten worse over time.
• Quality of work is inconsistent, unproductive, and lacks focus.
• Being absent or disappearing while working increases. Additionally, being at work physically but not mentally.
• Judgment during work is poor.
• Disregard for the safety of yourself and others around you.
• Unpredictable behavior while working.
• Irresponsible money habits.
• Complaints from coworkers and customers become regular.
• Personal appearance becomes inappropriate for a work setting.

These are the most common red flags, according to the DEA. Often, these factors lead to being fired. Accepting that there is a problem can help reverse the course of action that you’re on. Being fired from your job creates other problems, often related to family relationships.

Obtaining Treatment While Unemployed

Untreated addiction habits will begin affecting workability, leading to unemployment. A company will not want to keep you employed if you are disrupting the workflow of yourself and everyone around you.

The National Library of Medicine has conducted several studies finding that unemployment creates a harmful cycle of substance abuse. Individuals who get fired resort to using substances to combat depression and anxiety, making hiring for new work harder.

Seeking treatment might sound like a difficult task without work-provided insurance, but there is help out there. Free drug rehab or affordable rehab provides you with options worth considering. However, you must research which federally provided program is supported by your state.

Addiction Treatment: Become Ready to Return to Your Career

Untreated addiction habits will begin affecting workability, leading to unemployment. A company will not want to keep you employed if you are disrupting the workflow of yourself and everyone around you.

The National Library of Medicine has conducted several studies finding that unemployment creates a harmful cycle of substance abuse. Individuals who get fired resort to using substances to combat depression and anxiety, making hiring for new work harder.

If you previously carried insurance through your employer and you were recently let go, you may be able to have coverage under what’s known as COBRA.

If you’ve been unemployed for a while, seeking treatment might sound like a difficult task without work-provided insurance, but there is help out there. Free drug rehab or affordable rehab provides you with options worth considering.

However, you must research which federally provided program is supported by your state.

Medicaid

Medicaid has attempted to help the problem that substance use disorder (SUD) has caused. The official Medicaid site has reported that 12 percent of beneficiaries over 18 have a SUD. In 2010, drug overdose was the leading cause of death and injuries among people between 25 to 64 years old.

If you are fired from a job because of substance abuse, there are ways to get help for addiction without insurance from a private benefactor or job.

Medicaid helps individuals without company-provided insurance. It is one of the largest federally funded programs that assist individuals with SUD. In 2009, Medicaid was responsible for 5 billion dollars worth of treatment payments.

For Medicaid to assist individuals and receive funds from the government, they must cover all necessary inpatient treatments for detoxification.

Regarding anyone under the age of 21, Medicaid is required to cover all substance disorder services. This is due to the early periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services (EPSDT). Depending on the state, Medicaid programs can help with extra treatment options.

Services include specialized treatment, methadone treatment, case management, and outpatient care. Research your state’s Medicaid program to learn what they will provide for you.

Medicare

Medicare is often mistaken for Medicaid but provides health coverage for those who are over the age of 55. Medicare is used specifically for inpatient stays for detox, rehabilitation, and outpatient treatment for substance abuse.

It assists with treatment at a freestanding clinic to help with drug and alcohol abuse, along with narcotic recovery using withdrawal treatment and alcohol treatment using aversion therapy.

Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant

Another way to obtain access to addiction treatment is through a special grant. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant is a federal program that aims to plan, implement, and evaluate activities that prevent and treat different SUDs. The grant is one of the largest programs dedicated to treatment assistance.

In 2009, the grant program was only 5 percent of treatment spending, according to Pew Data research. In 2013, it totaled 1.6 billion dollars in treatment. The grant is distributed each year to both local governments, and non-governmental organizations. Certain populations are the main target for these funds, so contact your local treatment programs to see if you qualify for treatment help.