Can people get benefits for their alcohol or drug addiction?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can people suffering from alcoholism or drug addiction get Social Security disability benefits for their addiction?

Answering your question.

Not just for the addiction itself.

You cannot get Social Security Disability just because you have a drug or alcohol problem. BUT — if you have other medical or mental health problems caused by or existing alongside your addiction, you might still qualify.

What Social Security Says:

Social Security calls drug or alcohol addiction “DAA” (Drug or Alcohol Abuse).

They have a special rule:

If you would still be disabled even if you stopped using drugs or alcohol, you can get benefits. But if you would no longer be disabled if you stopped, then you cannot get benefits.

What Does That Mean?

Let’s say:

• You have severe depression and also a drinking problem.
• Social Security will ask: “If this person stopped drinking, would they still be too depressed to work?”

If the answer is yes — you may qualify.
If the answer is no — your claim will be denied.

Examples:

Example 1 — May Get Approved:

• You have schizophrenia.
• You also struggle with drug use.
• Even when sober, you have hallucinations, paranoia, and can’t function.
• You may qualify — because your disability exists separately from the addiction.
  
  

Example 2 — Likely Denied:

• You drink heavily and can’t hold a job.
• But when you’re sober for a few weeks, you feel okay and could work.
• You probably won’t qualify, because your problems are mostly caused by the drinking.
  
  

What Conditions Might Still Qualify?

Even with a history of substance abuse, you might qualify if you have:

• Mental health conditions (like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD)
• Brain damage from past drug use
• Liver disease or organ damage
• Severe depression or anxiety that started before or continued after stopping substance use

The key is: Would the condition still keep you from working even if you were clean and sober?

What Social Security Looks At:

• Your medical records
• Whether you are getting treatment (rehab, counseling, meds)
• Whether you’ve tried to stay sober
• If your condition still makes it impossible to work full-time, even when sober
  
  

What You Can Do:

• Be honest about your history with drugs or alcohol.
• Focus on other health problems you have (mental or physical).
• Get treatment and stay in recovery — this strengthens your case.
• Keep going to doctor appointments and therapy.
• Ask your providers to explain how your condition affects your ability to work, with or without substance use.
  
  

Bottom Line (Simple Version):

Situation	Can You Get Disability?
Addiction is your only issue	No — not approved
You have other mental/physical conditions too	Maybe — if you’d still be disabled sober
Your condition is caused by past drug/alcohol damage	Yes — if it keeps you from working
You only struggle when actively using	No — not disabled under SSA rules