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if you can prove that the addiction has caused you to be socially isolated or has caused medical problems...and yes according to the human rights code drug addiction is considered an addiction...but the social benefits tribunal has not acknowledged the human rights code in their decisions..Two alcoholics have taken it all the way to the supreme court and the court ruled it is an addiction according to the human rights code and that the social benefits tribunal has to take the human rights code into consideration in all future appeals or decisions..hopefully this is helpful

Technical Answer

Generally, no. Neither drug addiction nor Alcoholism are classified as disabilities under SSA guidelines unless they are accompanied by another qualifying condition.

Under Title II federal law, drug addiction and alcoholism are treated differently than other disabilities. According to 42 U.S.C. §423(d)(2)(C), if a medical condition is caused or aggravated by addiction:

"(C) An individual shall not be considered to be disabled for purposes of this title if alcoholism or drug addiction would (but for this subparagraph) be a contributing factor material to the Commissioner's determination that the individual is disabled."

While drug addiction and alcoholism are both disabling, as of 1996, federal law prohibits SSA from granting disability to anyone whose primary disability is a substance abuse disorder, or to anyone whose disabling condition would not meet the test for severity if the person stopped drinking or using drugs.

Once substance abuse has created irreversible damage that is not expected to improve if the person stops abusing, the condition becomes eligible for disability coverage if it prevents the person from engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). SGA is often defined as being able to work full-time, but the SSA places a low ceiling of $1,000 per month (or $1,640, if blind) on wages considered evidence of SGA.

Conditions that may be approved with co-occurringsubstance-abuse problems, if they meet the SSA guidelines for severity include: "organic mental disorder, gastritis, seizures, liver damage, peripheral neuropathies, depression, anxiety, pancreatitis, or personality disorders."

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Q: Can drug addicts collect Social Security disability?
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