I got fired from my job because of my addiction or mental illness

You’re fired! That word rings loudly when you hear it. For some people, addiction or mental illness can lead to being forced to leave work, and it feels crummy. It doesn’t mean you’re weak or a failure. It happens.

Losing your job is triggering and may be a sign that you need to find support. You may be struggling with addiction and/or a mental illness, as well as feelings of self-doubt, inadequacy, shame, or fear of how you’re going to pay for things. You may be experiencing grief and loss, but that can come with losing your job or struggling with addiction or mental illness. And though it will take time, you can learn from this, begin to take care of yourself, and move forward.

Talk about your anger and frustration

It’s important to find ways to take care of yourself if you’re feeling upset about being fired. This is easier said than done. You don’t need to ignore feelings of anger, you can name them and choose not to react based on them. By not acting out of anger or bottling up your feelings, you are doing your best not to make the situation worse.

Talking to someone who you can trust can help, because talking it out has lots of benefits. It can give you a new perspective on your situation.  It can also point you to strategies and solutions you may not have seen on your own.

Another person can also offer you validation of your feelings. And bouncing ideas off of a trusted person can also lead to greater reflection and clarity about the situation. Beyond talking, being able to self-reflect is a plus. You may learn a lot about yourself and your current circumstances.

You decide who you want to talk to. Maybe you bonded with someone at the job or you have a friend or relative you’ve talked to before who has your best interest at heart.   Or maybe a peer supporter is someone you can confide in, too. Opening up about drug/alcohol use or mental health to someone with similar experiences can allow you to feel supported. But, you don’t have to open up right away. You can talk to your trust circle whenever you’re ready.

Sometimes, it’s hard to take responsibility and not blame others for what you’re going through. Coming to terms with these feelings and letting go can help you move forward with a clear mind and help you figure out your next steps.

Reflect on what happened and what happens next

Be honest with yourself about what really happened. Look at the big picture and take responsibility. Reflect on what you can do differently and what you need to take care of yourself.  It may be painful to look at your addiction, mental illness, or the impact its had on your life, but it’s helpful. Also, know that healing doesn’t happen overnight.

Reflecting on what happened

Even if you didn’t have much of a warning before being fired, there may have been signs that your using, drinking, or mental health was interfering with your job performance, like:

• Having to drink or use to even do your job
• Not showing up or showing up late
• Making excuses instead of considering the role addiction or mental illness might be playing
• Difficulty concentrating on or completing work
•  Not wearing the right uniform or clothes
• Not being able to come in sober
• Feeling unmotivated, anxious, avoidant, or isolating yourself when at work

It may be that your job is the trigger or activator. It might not be healthy to work in an environment that greatly affects your mood, or is driving you to drink or use—some jobs even make it socially acceptable to do so.

Reflecting on what happens next

Reflecting can help you see this as an opportunity to search for something new. Ask yourself: What is going on here?  Am I happy?  Am I fulfilled?  Why didn’t I come into work?  Do I hate my job or my life? How is my mental health, drinking, or using affecting me at work and home?  It’s a good time to evaluate your skill set and look for another job.  Explore your values and ask yourself what you need and what you really want to do.

One of the most important things you can do is not isolate yourself. Your future company might have a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that you sign up for at the start. EAPs often provide a number of free therapy sessions per issue. For instance, you might get five free therapy sessions to talk about depression. You might get another five free sessions to talk about alcohol or drug use. If you need support, you can call the EAP line and ask what benefits are available to you.

If you claim protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you have to tell your employer that you have a mental illness. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) can also help by giving you time off to manage mental health issues, although there are limits to it. Your company’s HR staff can explain how FMLA works. If you are unemployed, look at job resources, therapy, community programs, or a recovery coach.

 Know your rights

Depending on the situation, there are legal actions you may be able to take. For instance, if you went to rehab or treatment and your supervisor says that’s why you were fired, it’s possible you might have been wrongfully terminated.

It’s a good idea to review your work contract, read your employee handbook, or look into your state laws. Understanding what your company offers for disability benefits, your state laws, and what you need to share to seek accommodation at work for any reason can be helpful information.

Some companies have sneaky stuff in their contracts for you to sign if you get terminated. If you’re not sure about it, DO NOT sign it!  There are legal resources regarding termination. You may be able to find information by searching pro bono legal services for civil matters related to mental health online. Legal Aid is useful, but sometimes it’s hard to get. For more help, contact your local field office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Staying positive in difficult circumstances calls on all your strength and resiliency.  Build up your confidence. Know what you’re entitled to as an employee. Invest in getting the help you need to feel better. Know that you are not alone, are worthy of well-being, and deserve to work.