Ok just help and hold your negativity to yourself. Im here for help. Ok in the past I drank heavily to self medicate and it did some damage. I have been clean for over 1 1/2 years both alcohol and narcotic free. With N/A and court issued drug and alsohol testing for the last year. Does anyone have or experienced going for ssdi for a disability that has stayed after stopping to drink? I know ssdi doesnt give benifits to current alcoholics but I can present my tests and a couple of witness that cann say I have been clean for that time period. Any info would be appreciated. And thank you

Disability caused by alcoholism & drug use? You may need to ask an attorney. One that ONLY deals with Social Security Disability cases. The initial consultation is FREE.

SSD cares more about if you are continually seeing a physician for your disability rather than knowing about medical "tests." They go by medical records and most importantly medical notes. However, in your type of situation, "medical tests" may be necessary to determine your claim. An attorney will be able properly advise you if you have a case or not.


Good luck in your sobriety and with SSD!

Congratulations on your continued sobriety! A lot of my family has struggled with it (and still do) and I see how hard they fight daily.

I actually know a person who received SSDI for being a drug addict because she could not get clean/sober after numerous attempt at rehab, so maybe having a past with alcohol may not weigh in like you think. If you have a medical condition or multiple medical conditions that affect your daily living that are well documented by doctor's that is what SSA should be looking at.

Good luck!

Yes this isnt my first try at quiting but the hardest. It just amazes me that on all these boards noone has really addressed the issue. I really hope my lawyer can do something about it but I know what I have done has put me here but I have always worked over 30 years and now that I cant i need some help.

You won't get anything negative from me. I am glad you stopped what you were doing. You didn't say exactly what your disability is. You entire record, of all the problems regarding your case influence the decision for SSDI. I know of no one who was turned down because they use to behave a certain way. I hope you are going through this process with an attorney. You worked your life, and getting denied a time or two is normal. Stay with an attorney who can see you through. They keep your case moving forward. Did the SSDI say why they turned you down? ginnie

Found the following on the SSD website: § 416.935. How we will determine whether your drug addiction or alcoholism is a contributing factor material to the determination of disability.

Google search, I found this: Dealing with Drug Addiction or Alcoholism in Social Security Disability Claims

What has your lawyer told you about your chances?

Is there any dual-diagnosis component to this claim? Addiction coupled with an injury or depression, etc. ?

First you have to realize that we folks here on these message boards are patients, just like you. We come here for information and comfort and companionship and not as experts in any field.

Second, in order to address your question it is necessary to know whether your disability is in any way connected to your past addiction issues. Mz Migraine posted some excellent links regarding this subject.

And finally, if you have a lawyer he or she is supposed to be providing answers to your questions. However, as we all seem to have experienced at one time or another, lawyers are not known for returning calls. Keep trying.


I hope your issues get cleared up soon. Life in the "waiting room" is not much fun.

Thank you so much for those links. Especially the 2nd one. Very good read. Thank you again.

You will have to prove that you can't do any work and it's not likely to improve soon. Is the damage so severe that you couldn't even be a Walmart greeter or answer phones? I'm not being negative -- that really is the standard you have to prove.