Going to rehab while working full-time in Houston

You don't have to choose between your job and your sobriety. Houston outpatient rehab is built for working adults.

The short answer

You can complete a full outpatient treatment program — clinical groups, individual therapy, psychiatric care, drug testing, aftercare — without taking leave from work. The pathway: IOP (Intensive Outpatient) with evening or early-morning tracks. Most of our clients work full-time during IOP.

Which level of care fits a working schedule

• PHP (30 hours/week) — too intense for full-time work. Requires FMLA or short-term disability. Best for the first 2 to 4 weeks of treatment.
• IOP (9 hours/week) — designed for working adults. We run AM (6:30-9:30) and PM (5:30-8:30) tracks Monday/Wednesday/Friday. You work your full day around it.
• SOP (2 hours/week) — one weekly group, one individual session. Easiest to fit around work.

FMLA: your safety net

If you do need to start in PHP, FMLA protects your job. To qualify:

• Worked for your employer for at least 12 months
• 1,250 hours in the past 12 months
• Employer has 50+ employees within 75 miles

You get up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave. Your health insurance continues. Your employer cannot fire you for using FMLA. We complete all FMLA paperwork — your employer only sees that you have a "serious health condition," not what it is.

Short-term disability for income replacement

FMLA protects your job but doesn't replace income. If your employer offers short-term disability (STD) insurance, addiction treatment typically qualifies as a covered condition. STD usually pays 60-70% of your salary for the duration of PHP. We help you file the claim.

Confidentiality — what your employer can and can't see

• FMLA paperwork — confirms you have a serious health condition. Does not name the condition.
• Insurance claims — go to the policyholder (you) and are not shared with the employer for fully-insured plans. For self-funded employer plans, HR may see aggregate claims data but not your specific records.
• Drug test results — clinical drug screens at Altura are HIPAA-protected and not shared with employers under any circumstances unless you sign a specific release.
• HR conversations — anything you tell HR is not protected by HIPAA. We strongly recommend against disclosing details to HR.

What about safety-sensitive jobs?

If you're a pilot, commercial driver, healthcare provider, or other DOT-regulated worker, there are additional considerations. Many professional monitoring programs (HPSP for healthcare workers, HIMS for pilots) require specific treatment documentation. We have experience working with these programs and can structure your treatment to meet their requirements. Call us at 713-766-1330 for a confidential consultation.

What about my boss noticing changes?

Most clients tell us their boss notices they're doing better at work within 2-3 weeks of starting treatment — not worse. Better sleep, fewer "sick" days, sharper thinking, more emotional regulation. The performance lift from sobriety is real and visible.

Travel for work during IOP — what to do

If you travel frequently, talk to us before admission. We can:

• Schedule your travel weeks for SOP rather than IOP
• Provide telehealth groups when you're on the road
• Coordinate with peer support meetings in cities you travel to

How to start without disrupting work

1. Verify your insurance free — takes 5 minutes, no commitment.
2. Schedule a phone assessment with our clinical team — 30 minutes, evenings or weekends if needed.
3. Decide on your start track (AM or PM IOP) — most clients can start within 48 hours.
4. Block 9 hours of evening or early-morning time per week for 8-12 weeks.
5. That's it. You keep working. You get sober.