alcoholism

[lovejoy]

In the UK does long term acute alcholism count as a disability?

[johnny37]

Acute means an isolated attack so 'long term' is a contradiction. Long term would be described as chronic. By its nature I am not sure alcoholism can be described as acute.

As reported in the newspapers on Monday, of the 2.6million people on disability benefit 50000 are claiming due to alcoholism. It is up to your GP to decide if you are fit for work or not and alcoholism is classed as a disease.

[Ethel]

It's not totally up to your GP - the cases are reviewed and assessed by the 'works and pensions' medical team based on information from the horrendously lengthy forms the claimant must complete, the GP and their own doctors and psychiatrists examinations.

However - what do you mean by 'disability'? Unfit to work which is considered incapacity, or something else?

[johnny37]

Correct Ethel. Disability is not the same as incapacity. Many disabled people do a briliant job. Also Lovejoy, are you referring to recovering alcoholics who do not drink? Notwithstanding, 50000 alcoholics were considered disabled to the point of incapacity. This question raises many issues. If you can be incapacitated where does it stand in relation to the Disability Discrimination Act? Being inebriated is enough to get you the sack or thrown out of most places or even locked up and fined! My employer would not sack you as long as you accepted help but sadly in some cases there must come a point where you are unemployable.