Steven Purcell Leaves Drug Rehab
Steven Purcell is the former leader of Glasgow City Council and he recently quit his five-year position as council leader to go to drug and alcohol rehab. The most notable point made in the few short articles posted about his return trip home is only notable because it is something that rarely comes up in the United States press when celebrities, sports figures or politicians enter or leave drug rehab: privacy.
Privacy and Drug Rehab
Purcell’s lawyers have complained the local media’s interest in Purcell’s illness and recovery constitutes “harassment of a sick man.” Purcell’s reps reported that they requested the Press Complaints Commission to “remind newspapers of their responsibilities to respect privacy.”
While his advisers claimed that stress was the reason why Purcell left his position, Purcell’s lawyers asked the council not to talk about the (other? real?) reasons for his resignation.
In the United States, HIPAA laws prevent medical treatment facilities like drug rehab centers from releasing private information about a patient and their recovery. Even their presence cannot be officially divulged, past or current. The media, on the other hand, has a way of ferreting out unofficial sources that can often be more damaging to the individual than the truth.
For private citizens (i.e., non celebrities or public figures), you don’t have to worry about the paparazzi digging around in your garbage cans or paying off your babysitter to find out more information about you. You can rest knowing that the your privacy is legally protected and that no one can call looking for you or to find out any information about you.
Purcell’s Job: How Rehab Affects Life
Jack Irvine is the former council leader’s spokesman. He says: “Councillor Steven Purcell is no longer a patient in Castle Craig Hospital. Councillor Purcell is recuperating with family and he asks the media to allow him time and space to recover to full health.”
Though Purcell is out of rehab, he won’t be returning to his former job. His former deputy, Councillor Jim Coleman, has taken his place and won’t be giving it back to Purcell despite the fact that Purcell was considered someone to watch in the Scotland’s Labour party, potentially a future Labour leader at Holyrood or a possible MP.
For many, this is an issue: you have to leave work to get the help you need. For many, that job won’t be waiting for you when you return and whether it’s a career position you’ve worked hard for a wage earning job that supports your family, it’s difficult to give up employment.
Can Drug Rehab Hurt Your Life?
With the threat of others intruding into your privacy at drug rehab or spreading rumors about your drug history as well as the possibly impact on your career and work life, many are left wondering if drug rehab is indeed the way to improve your life.
The short answer to that is that when drug addiction is an issue, it’s only a matter of time before everyone knows if they don’t already. Chances are, you aren’t hiding it as well as you think. And at work, if you still have a job, your drug addiction is already affecting your performance, if not your work relationships. The truth is: getting the help you need at a drug rehab means that your personal relationships and your work like will only improve.
