When someone knows they need to get professional help for their addiction to alcohol or drugs, it can feel scary to reach out. One of the contributing fear factors is wondering, “Does going to rehab go on your record?” Everyone wants to have privacy when it comes to medical treatment, and this includes getting treatment for a substance use disorder. Buckhead Behavioral Health is in the business of helping people become sober, and we know people want private, discreet care. We explore what level of privacy a person can expect when they go to rehab.
What Happens in Rehab?
When someone develops an addiction to drugs or alcohol, it takes over their lives. Addiction dramatically impacts a person’s physical and mental health, as well as their ability to do well at work, in school, and in relationships. Because substance use disorders are complicated, it takes attending a professional treatment program to overcome them. The term “rehab” can apply to several different levels of care. Rehab starts with going to a detox program, which usually lasts from five to seven days. After that, some people move to a residential program where they live for 30 days or longer. Another option is to attend outpatient programs that take place during the day.
All levels of rehab feature multiple approaches to recovering from addiction. Exposure to different types of therapy helps people understand the impact their addiction has had on their lives. From there, they learn to address what events may have contributed to their developing a substance use disorder. This helps the individual to get closure and develop healthy coping skills that keep them from succumbing to relapse.
Does Going to Rehab Go On Your Record?
Going to treatment for addiction to drugs or alcohol is an incredibly personal event. For this reason, people want to make sure they have control over who knows when this happens. As a result, they want to know “Does going to rehab go on your record?” The person may worry that family members, friends, or their employer may find out they went to rehab and will have questions or be judgmental.
In 1996, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) became law and helped provide privacy related to the medical records of Americans. This includes when someone goes to rehab or receives any other addiction-related treatment. HIPPA laws ensure that a person’s medical records cannot be disclosed to another party without their written consent.
Someone who wants their rehab information shared with someone else can request this be done. This includes giving the information to individuals or entities like an employer if the person so chooses. In fact, a person’s insurance company does not have to be notified if they attend a rehab program and do not intend to have their insurance cover all or part of their stay.
Some people worry that a rehab stay will show up on a background check. Potential employers sometimes perform a background check to look for things like a person’s education, career history, and criminal background. While those things can be found, what the employer or anyone else doing a background check will not find is any record of the person going to rehab.
How Does a Rehab Protect Someone’s Privacy?
When someone checks into rehab, they will sign a lot of paperwork. Part of this will include consent forms related to releasing information about their treatment. Some people want to keep their entire rehab stay to themselves, which can be reflected in how they fill out the consent forms. Others may want certain people to be informed about the specifics of their treatment and their progress. This can include spouses, parents, adult children, and medical and psychological professionals not associated with the rehab. The individual entering rehab can specify exactly what type of information can be shared with others, ranging from brief updates to full disclosure and the status of the person’s health.
Who Can Legally Find Out That You Went to Rehab?
For those asking, “Does going to rehab go on your record?”, more than the HIPPA law protects them. The Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records also affords people the ability to expect privacy when they go to rehab. However, there are a few exceptions to the laws that protect a person’s privacy. An individual’s medical information may be legally disclosed if they commit a crime or are convicted of child abuse or neglect. In rare cases, a court order can result in someone’s medical records being revealed.
Find Effective Rehab for Addiction in Atlanta, GA
Now that you know the answer to, “Does going to rehab go on your record?”, you can prepare to take the all-important step to get help for your addiction. Buckhead Behavioral Health offers highly effective outpatient rehab in Atlanta for people who are battling a substance use disorder. We provide vital addiction-related therapies and prescription drugs that help ease withdrawal symptoms. With our help, you can get back to living your life and doing well on the job and in your relationships.
Do you want more information on how our rehab can change your life? Visit our admissions page now and see how easy it is to get started.
