Many people hesitate to seek substance abuse treatment because they’re afraid of repercussions from their employer. They may be concerned that they will be demoted or fired if their employer finds out that they have a substance abuse problem. They may also worry that their insurance carrier will drop them from the plan or restrict future coverage. The law protects the privacy of individuals seeking drug or alcohol treatment through the provisions of 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). To ensure that people who need rehab will not be discouraged by the stigma associated with addiction, 42 CFR imposes limits on the information that can be released by treatment centers that receive funding from the federal government. The law states that any records that identify the patient as a substance abuser or as a participant in a rehab program may not be disclosed to any entity — even for the purpose of payment or medical treatment — without written consent from the patient. Because many treatment facilities receive some form of financial support from the government, 42 CFR applies to a wide range of rehab programs across the country. Facilities that do not receive federal assistance may still be subject to state privacy regulations. Programs that do not comply with these privacy regulations face criminal penalties, including fines of up to $5,000 for each offense.