How to Welcome Back a Coworker From Treatment

It can be a bit difficult or a little awkward welcoming back a fellow employee after they have been absent for mental health reasons or a professionals rehab program. Historically these issues have been traditionally taboo and are generally loaded with stigma. You might ask yourself: How do I act? Do I ask about it or pretend nothing happened? Do I say, “I hope they are better?” None of these options feels right. More problems can arise if the individual returns from addiction treatment specifically. Mental health issues are starting to be more accurately recognized, but addiction still carries large amounts of stigma. The stigma surrounding typically involves viewing the drug user as someone morally flawed, deserving of derision, and not worthy of compassion. Luckily there has been a shift in recent years and society has come to understand addiction as a brain disease. It is an ongoing medical problem much like cancer or diabetes. Blaming someone for having an addiction is like blaming someone for having cancer. Try reading this if you disagree. But even those of us that are progressive can still have some implicit bias towards someone struggling with an addiction. A good first step is learning addiction and recovery which will help you feel comfortable conversing with your colleague about their recovery. Examine your own beliefs as well and assess if you have any negative attitudes about addiction. Negative feelings generally stem from stigma and therefore lack of understanding. If nothing else, know that addiction is a brain disease and requires empathy and support to achieve successful outcomes – negative emotions will only lead an individual back into addiction. Understand where they may be coming from as they re-entering their job for the first time. Most people will feel some sense of guilt, embarrassment, or shame, but it takes a lot of courage to walk through those front doors for the first time. It is important to keep encouraging them and welcome them in a sensitive and open state of mind. Talking to a coworker about their addiction or recovery can be a little intimidating, but as long as your intentions are heartfelt do not be afraid. Some people never say anything at all because they often fear to say something that triggers or upset them; chances are they learned in treatment how to properly deal with these situations if they do happen. How you talk with your colleague depends on your professional and personal relationship with the person, as well as how receptive they are to sharing. Some people might tend to be more discreet about their situation, in this case, talking about their treatment and recovery can be uncomfortable for them. If your colleague seems more open to discussing their recovery, then welcome any discussions they may have about the matter. Work environments offer people in recovery an additional outlet to share their experiences and obtain additional support. Colleagues can be a critical source of strength and support, so it is important not to miss any opportunities to offer help.