Going to Rehab Before the Holidays: What to Know About Timing, Work and Insurance

Every fall, families call with the same question: should we wait until after the holidays? It is a reasonable thing to ask. Nobody wants to miss Thanksgiving, and starting treatment in November can feel like terrible timing.

But the holidays rarely make drinking or drug use easier to manage. More gatherings, more alcohol, more travel and more family stress tend to add pressure, not relieve it. If you or someone you love already knows it is time, starting now may be the better choice.

Here is what to know about the practical side: time off work, insurance and what to do first.

Is it better to start treatment before or after the holidays?

For most people, sooner is better than a date on the calendar. Waiting until January means getting through the hardest stretch of the year without help, and a planned start date has a way of slipping.

The right timing depends on the person. If someone is drinking heavily every day or using opioids or sedatives, stopping without medical support can be dangerous, and that is a reason to call now rather than plan around a holiday. If you are unsure, an admissions conversation can help you sort out what level of care fits and how soon it makes sense.

Our guide to common holiday addiction triggers covers why this season is harder than it looks.

Can I take time off work for rehab?

Many people can. The federal Family and Medical Leave Act gives eligible employees up to 12 workweeks of job-protected leave in a 12-month period for a serious health condition, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Your group health coverage continues while you are on leave.

The FMLA regulations say directly that leave may be taken for treatment for substance use by a health care provider, or by a provider you are referred to by one. The same rule notes two limits:

• It covers treatment, not use.Absence because of using a substance does not qualify.
• Your employer’s written policy still applies.An employer cannot act against you for taking FMLA leave for treatment, but a substance use policy that is communicated to all employees and applied evenly can still be enforced.

You are generally eligible if you have worked for a covered employer for at least 12 months, worked at least 1,250 hours in the past year, and work at a location with at least 50 employees within 75 miles. FMLA leave is unpaid, though you can use paid leave at the same time, and some employers require it.

The FMLA also covers leave to care for a spouse, child or parent who is receiving treatment. Talk to your HR department about how your company handles the request. You do not have to tell your coworkers why you are out.

Does it matter when in the year I start treatment?

It can. Health plans count your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum over a 12-month plan year. HealthCare.gov defines the out-of-pocket maximum as the most you pay for covered, in-network services in a plan year; after you reach it, the plan pays 100% of covered benefits.

If you have already paid toward your deductible this year, starting treatment before your plan year resets could mean less out of pocket than starting after it. Many plans reset on January 1, but a group plan’s year may not match the calendar year, so check your plan documents or ask your employer.

Every plan is different, which is why Nova verifies your benefits before you commit. You can verify your insurance online in a few minutes, and the admissions team will go over what your plan covers.

What does treatment look like if I start now?

Nova owns each step of the continuum, so you do not have to find a new provider at every stage:

• Medical detox manages withdrawal safely, with 24-hour care.
• Residential treatment is a 90-day program on Nova’s private campus outside Austin, in Wimberley.
• Intensive outpatient (IOP) offers structured therapy while you live at home or in sober living, with online IOP if you cannot attend in person.
• Sober living provides substance-free housing, often while you attend outpatient treatment.

Not everyone needs every level. Where you start depends on your health, your use and your situation at home.

What should I do this week?

If you have been putting off the decision until after the holidays, a few small steps can make it real:

• Verify your insurance so cost is a known number, not a guess.
• Ask HR how to request medical leave.You can do this before you have a start date.
• Tell one person you trust.A spouse, a friend or your doctor can help you follow through.
• Plan around the gatherings you can.If you start treatment later, our article on staying sober at a holiday party has strategies that work for Thanksgiving too.

When you are ready to talk

Nova’s admissions team answers 24 hours a day. The first conversation is free and confidential, and it does not commit you to anything. You can also verify your insurance online before you call.

Common Questions