Addiction specialist or psychiatrist. Whose evaluation is more legally binding.?
My employer sent me to see a psychiatrist to see how severe my depression was and how it would effect my return to work. The psychiatrist said that I should be fine seeing a good therapist, not necessarily a psychiatrist for 6 months to a year and then he would reevaluate me to see about my fitness to return to work. My employer then sent me to see an addictions specialist who surmised that I was a drug addict needing 45 days of detox and then when I do go back to work I have to do a urine test every two days. I have to admit that because I am not at work at present I do indulge in the ganja on occasion which is why I tested positive with the addictions specialist. I am by no means a chronic user and I have not been at work since Feb of last year. I DO NOT NEED DETOX!
When I asked the employer why they will not consider the psychiatrists opinion their answer to me was “He’s not an addictions specialist”. The “addictions specialist” is actually a sports injury doctor with a special counseling course in addiction. Is it true that his opinion can override that of a psychiatrist?
Psychiatrist vs addictions specialist, whose opinion is more legally binding?
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keiko
June 1, 2010 at 5:45 pm
They probably have to pay less to have you complete the addictions program. They sound like a good company, paying for any evaluation at all. If you are depressed, smoking pot will make you more depressed. You’ve been out of work for over a year. What have you done to help yourself? I ask this having gotten help for depression myself. I don’;t know how much warning you had about seeing an addictions specialist (M.D.), but if you smoked pot after you knew you would be going you could be sabotaging yourself. Think about why.
PooPooLaTrash
June 1, 2010 at 5:47 pm
It really doesn’t matter. What matters is that you do what your employer wants you to do or you lose your job, unless of course, you are protected by a union or a job contract that specifically covers your unique situation.