Originally Posted by
socallednormal 
I talked to my doctor about substance use extensively. I wasn't aware that employers can read your medical records. Is that a Canadian thing? Do you have more information about it?
I don't know if it's a Canadian-ony thing but I do know that if you ever need to go on disability at work for whatever reason the insurer will want your medical records and you can get rejected if you had a "pre-existing condition" meaning you were sick before you were hired by your employer.
Life insurance applications typically ask if you've ever been treated for excessive drinking/alcohol problem or if a medical professional has ever told you to get your drinking under control or abstain.
Also there are some jobs that require you to undergo thorough physicals and background checks where the issue would be revealed. I'm not saying I'm looking for one of those jobs but just the prospect of being "blacklisted" scares me.