Unfortunately, many addictive vices in society cause health problems, including alcohol. Alcohol can overtake people’s lives, and the results are often devastating.
With this in mind, April is Alcohol Awareness Month, distinguished by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. According to the agency, excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for the death of 88,000 people each year in America. Additionally, chronic health problems including dementia, stroke, cardiomyopathy, hypertension, depression, anxiety, suicide and cancers of the liver, mouth and throat, which are linked to alcohol, have an estimated economic impact of $223.5 billion each year.
The agency reported that nearly 17.6 million people, or one in every 12 adults, suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence in America. The addiction often cripples victims, with many people needing professional help from treatment centers to recover.
Can I Collect Disability if I am Addicted to Alcohol?
If you have a friend or family member who is addicted to alcohol and suffering from health problems as a result and can no longer work, it may be a good idea to talk to them about potentially seeking Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). If they have serious illnesses like cancer or their medical conditions are expected to worsen over time, they may be eligible for benefits.
The Social Security Administration will gauge if an applicant’s health is expected to improve if he or she is able to give up alcohol. Unfortunately, for some people, even if they enter into recovery, their health woes continue, leaving them unable to work. In these cases, the SSA could consider a victim disabled and grant him or her benefits. We have a page with information about alcohol and drug abuse, and SSDI.
Our firm is dedicated to helping people who cannot work obtain benefits, regardless of how their health conditions were acquired. Continue visiting our blog for more information. By working with a Social Security attorney, a person may be able improve his or her chances at receiving benefits.
Troutman & Troutman, P.C. – Tulsa Social Security disability lawyers