There is a guy at my work who is a borderline alcoholic. He frequently misses days to this condition. He said that he wasn't a drinker until he joined the Air Force in the 70s and was stationed in Idaho or one of the Dakotas. After each major exercise, he said the command would have 20 kegs lined up. Additionally, he said there wasn't much else to do, that everyone just drank. Just wondering if there is anything on alcoholism being considered a disability.

I know of a few people who received Social Security Disability in the past for alcoholism. But no more. I see three ways to look at this: legal, medical, and practical. In practical terms, alcoholism can be a disability. In medical terms it can be a disability. But for all practical purposes, that means squat. Because legally it's no longer considered a disability. I believe there was legislation passed some time during the Clinton administration that prohibited people from collecting disability payments based on alcoholism or drug addiction.

There are different 'models' in psychiatry which view alcoholism quite differently. One model is the 'disease' model, which is the one the AA uses. It is based upon the idea that a person who suffers from alcoholism is helpless over the disease and must recognize and deal with that (gross over simplification, but you get the idea).

There are other models which find deep needs within the person which are not otherwise being met and that the person suffering from alcoholism is self-medicating.

In most models, the idea is to stop the person from drinking/taking illegal substances rather than tolerating their addictive behavior. In that light, a 'disability' would only be temporary while someone is de-toxing. Supposedly, after a de-tox or other treatment they could still have the 'disease' but not be disabled, if you follow me.

The problem with the disease->disability->service connection->payment model is that it can't be used across the board. It must be in conformance with SSA and VA standards and in the case you present, would likely not be considered to be compensable.

There are two points on this issue. First alcoholism is a disability. However it is a disability created by what the VA and Social Security considers "willfull misconduct."
The second point is the VA will treat the condition, to whatever degree is required, to assist the eligible veteran to overcome the condition.
If a person is an alcoholic, they must never take another drink of alcohol again. Once you become an alcoholic you need to detox, complete the 12 step program and become clean, then you are considered sober. That is your status. Simply clean and sober. A good feeling.

Surely the question must be asked what drove you to drink to excess. I know people that j have become alcoholics because they just couldn’t stop drinking, and others that wanted to escape from their past, present or what future or perhaps the lack of future that they perceived they had.

Alcohol is often used as self medication. In that context it is often one of the associated features of PTSD: symptoms of depression and anxiety are common, and in some instances may be so severe as to be diagnosed as an anxiety or depressive disorder. Increased irritability, unexpected explosions of aggressive behavior, with minimum or no provocation. Impulsive behavior also can create problems such as unexplained trips, unexplained changes in life styles. Symptoms may begin immediately or soon after the trauma. It is not unusual, however, for the symptoms to surface months or years later following the trauma.

Impairment may be mild or affect every aspect of life. Phobic avoidance of situations or activities that resemble the trauma are common and often create occupational or recreational impairment. Psychic numbing often interferes with interpersonal relationships, such as family life. It often leads to self defeating behavior sometimes including suicide. Substance disorders and alcohol abuse are common.

Alcoholism is a desease that can be controled but never cured. No matter how long it has been since the last drink, they are still alocholics.
People drink for many reasons. I don't think a person should be classified as disabled for something they do to themselves.

There are many reasons that people drink and the literature is incomplete as to determining precisely any cause and effect. As noted before, there are many models.

One must consider that our culture is saturated with alcohol-driven commentary, events; people who don't drink are considered to be non-normative, "Hey why not?" And that has been part of the American culture for generations. As a result, it is pretty hard to get funding to do a lot of research on drinking.

Kind of ironic that all the energy that went into anti-smoking campaigns never reached any kind of parallel with alcohol awareness.

How many people were killed last year driving while smoking?

OldAFCop:
Again we agree. Alcohol was involved when I had tattoo's placed upon my body and it only took the next morning to regret doing it. Alcohol was involved in my divorces in the 1970's and I regreted the results. Still people use and abuse alcohol then make jokes about it.
Those killed by drunk drivers and their families saw no humor in it! It would seem people would demand at least as much attention for alcohol as tobacco. I drive to work when the bars have just closed. So now they are lighting up a cigarette while driving, since the government is stopping smoking in bars.