Comments on: Can an Alcoholic Ever Qualify for Disability? http://www.ssdanswers.com/2009/09/17/can-an-alcoholic-ever-qualify-for-disability/ Social Security Disability Blog - moderated by Jonathan Ginsberg Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:42:04 +0000 hourly 1 By: jginsberg http://www.ssdanswers.com/2009/09/17/can-an-alcoholic-ever-qualify-for-disability/#comment-9186 jginsberg Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:07:07 +0000 http://www.ssdanswers.com/?p=356#comment-9186 @lance, I don't believe that the abused substance needs to be illegal. Alcohol is legal but alcohol abuse can result in a denial if the judge feels that a claimant might be able to function in a simple job if he was sober. I think the same logic applies in your case. If you are addicted to prescription pain killers, a judge will ask (1) have you tried to beat the addiction? (2) if you were not taking pain killers, would you be able to work? If you have a chronic pain condition that would prevent you from working, then the pain killer abuse might not be a "material contributing factor" to your ongoing inability to work. I will note, however, that judges sometimes find it hard to draw those lines - you are much better off if you can beat the addiction (I know that is easier said than done). Best of luck to you. @lance, I don’t believe that the abused substance needs to be illegal. Alcohol is legal but alcohol abuse can result in a denial if the judge feels that a claimant might be able to function in a simple job if he was sober. I think the same logic applies in your case. If you are addicted to prescription pain killers, a judge will ask (1) have you tried to beat the addiction? (2) if you were not taking pain killers, would you be able to work? If you have a chronic pain condition that would prevent you from working, then the pain killer abuse might not be a “material contributing factor” to your ongoing inability to work. I will note, however, that judges sometimes find it hard to draw those lines – you are much better off if you can beat the addiction (I know that is easier said than done). Best of luck to you.

]]> By: lance http://www.ssdanswers.com/2009/09/17/can-an-alcoholic-ever-qualify-for-disability/#comment-9183 lance Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:10:06 +0000 http://www.ssdanswers.com/?p=356#comment-9183 what if the substance you abuse is percription pain killer and the treatment for your dissabilty caused the addiction in the first place what if the substance you abuse is percription pain killer and the treatment for your dissabilty caused the addiction in the first place

]]> By: andrew stallings http://www.ssdanswers.com/2009/09/17/can-an-alcoholic-ever-qualify-for-disability/#comment-8506 andrew stallings Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:48:52 +0000 http://www.ssdanswers.com/?p=356#comment-8506 I cant keep a job and i cant quit drinking I cant keep a job and i cant quit drinking

]]> By: Edward J. McCabe http://www.ssdanswers.com/2009/09/17/can-an-alcoholic-ever-qualify-for-disability/#comment-8441 Edward J. McCabe Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:19:09 +0000 http://www.ssdanswers.com/?p=356#comment-8441 To whom this may concern; I am an Alcoholic, and I've been trying to stay sober since 1999. I've been Diagnosed with Depression by all the Facilities I've been too...and there has been many. I just recently have been released from them Behavior Health Unit at Manchester Hopspital in CT. I have been able to stay sober for many months at a time...but I always relapse because of Massive Depression...even with months sober. I don't know what to do. If this isn't a disability...and you have Fat Lazy peopole who arent even trying to work..and they collect...then something is wrong with the system. I am always seeking work when sober...and I get good jobs...but the inevitable happens...I drink to self medicate..then bang..all is loss. To whom this may concern; I am an Alcoholic, and I’ve been trying to stay sober since 1999. I’ve been Diagnosed with Depression by all the Facilities I’ve been too…and there has been many. I just recently have been released from them Behavior Health Unit at Manchester Hopspital in CT. I have been able to stay sober for many months at a time…but I always relapse because of Massive Depression…even with months sober. I don’t know what to do. If this isn’t a disability…and you have Fat Lazy peopole who arent even trying to work..and they collect…then something is wrong with the system. I am always seeking work when sober…and I get good jobs…but the inevitable happens…I drink to self medicate..then bang..all is loss.

]]> By: cj http://www.ssdanswers.com/2009/09/17/can-an-alcoholic-ever-qualify-for-disability/#comment-8405 cj Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:27:21 +0000 http://www.ssdanswers.com/?p=356#comment-8405 dear sir, -i was sexually abused and raped from approx age 6-8.So was my brother.I was obviously too young to seek "medical help".I started self-medicating. I do qualify for disability,in 2 ways.I was able to put enough money in taxes to qualify for $1254 a month.and I have been diagnosed with PTSD,depression,anxiety disorder,agoraphobia.Unfortunatly i also have a substance abuse history.BUT thru therapy i found out that the 'abuse" was th e primary cause of my mental disorders.According to what i have read about the criteria for ssi I am disabled. I have alot of medical and rehab hospitalizations.I have the records asking for help dealing with the "abuse" If you will give me a chance to give you more details and answer any qeustions you have,I feel like i have a good chance of winning my case.I NEED THE RIGHT LAWYER.I have witnesses,doctors and the truth at my disposal. INTERESTED? dear sir,
-i was sexually abused and raped from approx age 6-8.So was my brother.I was obviously too young to seek “medical help”.I started self-medicating.
I do qualify for disability,in 2 ways.I was able to put enough money in taxes to qualify for $1254 a month.and I have been diagnosed with PTSD,depression,anxiety disorder,agoraphobia.Unfortunatly i also have a substance abuse history.BUT thru therapy i found out that the ‘abuse” was th e primary cause of my mental disorders.According to what i have read about the criteria for ssi I am disabled.
I have alot of medical and rehab hospitalizations.I have the records asking for help dealing with the “abuse”
If you will give me a chance to give you more details and answer any qeustions you have,I feel like i have a good chance of winning my case.I NEED THE RIGHT LAWYER.I have witnesses,doctors and the truth at my disposal. INTERESTED?

]]> By: honey d http://www.ssdanswers.com/2009/09/17/can-an-alcoholic-ever-qualify-for-disability/#comment-8398 honey d Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:50:57 +0000 http://www.ssdanswers.com/?p=356#comment-8398 wow thumbs up for this attorney after reading multiple inquiries this did it 4 me the attorney here is obviously a lawyer but working for the people damn!d like to get him on my case..40 freakin years of horrer given induced on me by bcw!!!!! to qualify for disability- have it -now they cutting me off!1973 keep reading this is definitley a well informed good info site basically theres no other for us!cant wait to c the outcomes of this marijuana case.anybody know if skizophrania goes away? wow thumbs up for this attorney after reading multiple inquiries this did it 4 me the attorney here is obviously a lawyer but working for the people damn!d like to get him on my case..40 freakin years of horrer given induced on me by bcw!!!!! to qualify for disability- have it -now they cutting me off!1973

keep reading this is definitley a well informed good info site basically theres no other for us!cant wait to c the outcomes of this marijuana case.anybody know if skizophrania goes away?

]]> By: Gerald W Riley http://www.ssdanswers.com/2009/09/17/can-an-alcoholic-ever-qualify-for-disability/#comment-8300 Gerald W Riley Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:03:46 +0000 http://www.ssdanswers.com/?p=356#comment-8300 I have represented a fair number of individuals with substance abuse issues. One important document is that there is an emergency teletype found at policy.ssa.gov in the EMs section(EM-96200). Basically, what I have learned is that if a person uses illicit substances, have a mental disorder, and they are being treated by a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other licensed mental health professional such as a therapist and the treating person generates a letter that basically states the mental health condition of the claimant would still result in significant impairments in spite of the substance use adn describes these limitations then this has resulted in approvals for my clients. If you can not get this and the client can stay clean for 30 days and then if he is psychologically evaluated and his impairments are significantly limiting then this can lead to an approval. Another thing is that sometimes Judges do not have a logical basis to determine how a client can function without the use of substances...that is there is no clear record to show how effective they are if they are not using. This makes it tougher to say substance use is material. Finally, I have a case on appeal now over a diagnostic issue, my client used marijuana, it was well documented, but there is no diagnosis of substance abuse anywhere in the file by a therapist or psychologist. This includes the reviewing psychologist for the State Agency. Judges are not allowed to diagnose and a substance abuse diagnosis is required. I have represented a fair number of individuals with substance abuse issues. One important document is that there is an emergency teletype found at policy.ssa.gov in the EMs section(EM-96200). Basically, what I have learned is that if a person uses illicit substances, have a mental disorder, and they are being treated by a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other licensed mental health professional such as a therapist and the treating person generates a letter that basically states the mental health condition of the claimant would still result in significant impairments in spite of the substance use adn describes these limitations then this has resulted in approvals for my clients. If you can not get this and the client can stay clean for 30 days and then if he is psychologically evaluated and his impairments are significantly limiting then this can lead to an approval. Another thing is that sometimes Judges do not have a logical basis to determine how a client can function without the use of substances…that is there is no clear record to show how effective they are if they are not using. This makes it tougher to say substance use is material. Finally, I have a case on appeal now over a diagnostic issue, my client used marijuana, it was well documented, but there is no diagnosis of substance abuse anywhere in the file by a therapist or psychologist. This includes the reviewing psychologist for the State Agency. Judges are not allowed to diagnose and a substance abuse diagnosis is required.

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