How Drug and Alcohol Use Affects Your Social Security Disability Claim
By Chris Sharry on February 12th, 2025 in Social Security Disability, Videos
Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) while dealing with a history of drug or alcohol use can be challenging. In this video, Attorney Chris Sharry, a Social Security disability lawyer based in Worcester, Massachusetts, explains how the Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates substance use in disability claims.
Learn why it’s important to address drug or alcohol use in your application, how SSA determines if substance use is a material contributing factor, and why maintaining a period of abstinence can strengthen your case—especially for claims involving mental health conditions like depression or anxiety.
