Celebrities who seek addiction treatment often receive a boost to their careers, but the reality could hardly be more different for other workers dealing with alcohol or other drug problems, ABC News reported Feb. 12.

Stars like Pat O'Brien, host of "The Insider," can repeatedly enter treatment for addiction problems and suffer little blowback in their professional lives. "O'Brien and his doctors felt this is the best course for maintaining his sobriety," according to a statement released by the entertainment show after O'Brien recently checked into rehab for a second time.

O'Brien's first stint in a treatment program came in 2005, after he made a series of explicit phone calls to a woman, tapes of which became public.

"Celebrities can have more chances," said Tia Brown, senior editor for the celebrity magazine In Touch. "They are put on a pedestal -- because of a perception of the stress they are under pressure or their position -- and people are more forgiving. And it helps their celebrity."

Such second changes are less common for ordinary workers. The Americans with Disabilities Act provides some protection against discrimination in the workplace, but only to employees who are not current drug users. In most cases, how many chances at rehab a worker gets is completely up to the employer.

"The vast majority of human resource regulations give people one chance and would say that if you get help and do OK, you're fine," said Ronald Hunsicker, president of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. "But a second time you're automatically out."

A Hazelden Foundation survey also found that about a quarter of human-resources professionals say their company would be less likely to hire a worker if they knew that they were in recovery from addiction. "Our survey reveals a stunning disconnect in corporate America," said William C. Moyers, the Hazelden Foundation vice president for external affairs. "Enlightened beliefs aren't translated into the practice of directing employees into treatment, thanks to the stigma of addiction and a lack of knowledge about it."