Transcription
The issue and the importance of drug and alcohol use in a social security claim has been the target of some very recent legislation and findings by the social security administration. The rule of law currently is that if your disability is the result of alcohol or drugs, you lose. End of the case. We have found in our practice that very often claimants use alcohol and drugs because they’re self medicating. They don’t have money, and therefore y they can’t see a doctor. They can’t get their psychiatric medications so they drink because it makes them feel better.
The following is the most recent social security ruling. If we were to take the drugs and alcohol out of the equation, in other words if the claimant was no longer drinking alcohol or using drugs and would nevertheless be disabled ,drugs and alcohol use will not bar an award of social security. It is a difficult thing to prove; you need a skillful attorney who understands the issue.
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