Once you have made the decision to seek treatment for your drug and/or alcohol use, you may be concerned about the privacy aspect of recovery. Many people value their privacy, especially with such sensitive and personal matters. You may be concerned about whether or not time spent at a rehab facility or attending treatment will show up on any of your records. We at North Georgia Recovery Center don’t want this to dissuade you, so we are here to explain what information about your treatment is public and what isn’t.
Will Receiving Drug or Alcohol Treatment Show on a Background Check?
In short, no. If you receive drug or alcohol treatment, it will never be made public knowledge without your consent. Receiving treatment for alcoholism and addiction is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Not only will your private treatment information be confidential, but so will the knowledge about whether or not you are in treatment. In other words, if someone were to call and ask if you are a patient at a recovery center, the center is prohibited from answering. You can seek treatment and be assured that your recovery details will be kept private.
Do I Have To Tell My Employer I’m Entering Addiction Treatment?
Another obstacle for many individuals is how to handle their career and recovery. Oftentimes, you have to take time away from work in order to attend treatment. However, even in these circumstances, you do not necessarily have to tell your employer what you are taking time off for. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act, you can take 12 weeks off for medical reasons, including for drug or alcohol addiction treatment. There are ways to keep the details of your leave from your employer.
Privacy in Recovery at North Georgia Recovery Center
Our team wants to help you ease your concerns about privacy while attending drug or alcohol treatment. If you have questions or concerns about patient confidentiality, our staff is here to help and provide the answers you need. Reach out at (678) 940-7873 today to learn more about what you can expect from North Georgia Recovery Center and how we can help you get started on the path to recovery.
