Drug Alcohol Abuse: Drug Abuse Facts

Question: Drug/alcohol abuse and s.s.d.i. can you lose your benefits?

(Posted by: A N N A B E L L E on 2009-08-12 19:48:34)

My mom is on social security disability for a # of psychiatric diagnoses. I know her lawyer told her in the beginning that if her disability was due to drug and alcohol then she wouldn't qualify. When determining her disability she did not have a problem. She never had a problem. Now she does and I want her to go to rehab for her alcohol dependence. Can she risk losing her benefits if she goes in?

Posted by: chiliswoman on 2009-08-12, 19:57:38

If the psychiatric diagnosis she had when she first received SSDI are still under treatment than she does not risk losing her SSDI from getting treatment from alcohol addiction. But she must continue to take her medication and go to counseling. Her psychiatric labels should remain her primary diagnosis.

Posted by: Thius on 2009-08-12, 19:59:34

It's difficult to prove the usage of alcohol due to the rapid way it is metabolized.If she could just stop drinking for a couple of days,she could qualify,and in turn a couple of days could lead to a couple of months of sobriety.Even further.Good luck.

Posted by: insane one on 2009-08-12, 20:00:05

I don't really think so but that depends on her status. Talk to the S.S. Office first or to a lawyer before doing anything with her.

Posted by: princess1978 on 2009-08-12, 20:13:52

Is it possible that her alcohol dependence is just a form of self-medicating because her other meds are not working as well as they should be? If so than it is all part of the same problem and as long as she is seeking treatment I don't think they can just "cut her off "

Posted by: cowboydoc on 2009-08-13, 01:03:01

Make an anonymous call to the S.S. office in your area. I think not though.

Posted by: Laurie on 2009-08-13, 01:41:26

It is unlikely that she will lose any benefits if she is doing something about an existing problem or a preexisting problem.

Posted by: jd on 2009-08-13, 02:30:04

If the Dr decides it's a problem he can force her into a program and AA or with hold care. Many won't say a thing then one may say I can't treat you while you are treating yourself. Getting her to care or understand that is going to be the hard part. She takes the drugs to not care.