ESA and alcoholism

WhiteHorse

foggytown wrote: »

There's even some strong evidence that the condition is genetic in some.

Quite possibly, but the key word is 'some'. Like dyslexia, it exists, and people do genuinely suffer from it, but the useless and the idle will bandwagon on it to escape responsibility for their own actions.

Duncombe

WhiteHorse wrote: »

Quite possibly, but the key word is 'some'. Like dyslexia, it exists, and people do genuinely suffer from it, but the useless and the idle will bandwagon on it to escape responsibility for their own actions.

Having studied genetics to post-degree level, I too am of this opinion. 'Genetics' are used as a scapegoat by many. I studied one man who claimed he repeatedly raped his teenage daughters because he was genetically predisposed to (apparently, this was how he believed our ancestors behaved).



Not that this bares are relation to the OP's question, but genetically speaking, most of the population are (in lamens terms) identical and if the majority manage not to succumb to alcoholism and drug addiction I dont think genetical make-up can be used as a determining factor..

idvi

WhiteHorse wrote: »

Yes, actually a lot do.

Those that don't, and genuinely want to be rid of it, should be assisted.

lol is all i can say to that

bagqueen

She really should go back to AA. I am a recovering alcoholic, am not religious and am also uneasy sharing. AA has helped me save my life. I will go to any lengths to stay sober. Tell her she will find her own higher power- God need not be involved. Once i was free of alcohol i realised life was actually good, i wasted many years being unhappy, i have other problems now, but i can cope. AA really is the only way.

andyandflo

danyjb123 wrote: »

You can claim ESA on the grounds of alcoholism, also illegal drug addiction.

Wholly wrong that the state should support a self-inflicted condition in my opinion though!

And I would suppose that the trade offs relating to these addictions are also not worthy of State support.

Liver failure, Chronic Pancreatitis to name but a few. Yes I used to drink and now have CP which is one hell of a nasty disease along with it's complications - Diabetic, constant severe pain, ruptured varicose veins in the stomach wall, damaged spleen, Thrombosis of the main veins in the chest!!! Life expectancy - 50% die within 7 years with the rest (75%) likely to contract Pancreatic Cancer with a 6 month survival rate!!! In the meantime I have become addicted to Morphine.

Well you have your wish, I failed my ESA medical so now I am fit for work - I wish!!

idvi

andyandflo wrote: »

And I would suppose that the trade offs relating to these addictions are also not worthy of State support.

Liver failure, Chronic Pancreatitis to name but a few. Yes I used to drink and now have CP which is one hell of a nasty disease along with it's complications - Diabetic, constant severe pain, ruptured varicose veins in the stomach wall, damaged spleen, Thrombosis of the main veins in the chest!!! Life expectancy - 50% die within 7 years with the rest (75%) likely to contract Pancreatic Cancer with a 6 month survival rate!!! In the meantime I have become addicted to Morphine.

Well you have your wish, I failed my ESA medical so now I am fit for work - I wish!!

thank you for sharing that..

it just backs up everything i said in my post on page 1 to be honest - how anybody can not see addictions as an illness worthy of sickness benefits is beyond me

Indie_Kid

idvi wrote: »

thank you for sharing that..

it just backs up everything i said in my post on page 1 to be honest - how anybody can not see addictions as an illness worthy of sickness benefits is beyond me

I think some see it as a choice - I don't. For many, it's a coping mechanism, in the same way that any other form of self harm is.

SimIsOnTheUp

foggytown wrote: »

Does anyone know if alcoholism is accepted as "incapacity" when assessing applicants for ESA? (I'm talking about the deep-rooted, psychologically and emotionally induced type as opposed to the "party" type.)

A close friend's daughter (30-ish and single) has had this addiction for maybe ten years now. Sometimes she can go up to five weeks "dry" and other times only a few days. NHS has been largely useless. She is currently unemployed and on JSA, but even if she finds another job her problems will probably end up with her losing or leaving it. (I think she has lost all confidence and is so intimidated by anything stressful that she reverts to the bottle.)

She wants to explore some help courses offered by Adaction - but these are all held during the day, which is incompatible with most jobs. She is receiving housing benefits for her pokey little flat.

Her father has told me that she was wondering about switching to ESA because she fears that if her difficulties in holding a job come to light then she will lose her JSA and her housing as well, and end up homeless. OTOH, if she applies for ESA and is rejected because her condition isn't deemed to qualify, she fears that that will spill over and affect the JSA as well.

Poor girl has a problem! Many thanks for any observations or helpful comments.

Hiya Foggytown,

I'm sending you big hugs and best wishes, for your friend's daughter.

I can't put into words just how much I feel for her.

Am a 36 year old bloke myself, considered of above average intelligence, and all the rest, yet I've been crippled by fear (brought on by / resulting in) alcoholism for the last 10+ years. To say it is a bit of a b*gger is quite the understatement.

It is hell. But then as Winston Churchill once said "If you're going through hell, keep going"!

There is hope.

My opinion is that alcoholism / any form of addiction is an illness. Like anyone with an illness, your friend's daughter deserves some help from professionals, in order to recover.

I've tried AA, and I'm still in two minds about it due to the exact same reasons as your friend's daughter. However, due to the cracking support network of some lovely people there I will be going back.

I do think that the underlying issues / 'what drives us' needs to be addressed first and foremost though.

Regarding your comments regarding the NHS being largely useless when it comes to alcoholism, I agree entirely.

My local substance misuse team have been a bit 'wishy washy' to say the least. They may well be referring me to / applying for funding for rehab though, so it can't all be bad!

Has she tried CBT? I'm on the waiting list for this, via my GP. Maybe she could try this if she hasn't already, and get to the crux of what's been hurting her. I've always drank on my fears, so maybe by addressing the fears, and accepting them, we can then start to overcome them and move forwards (sorry if that sounds twee, but I hope you get my gist!)

Regarding your query about ESA / alcoholism, yes, she will be able to claim ESA on medical grounds of addiction / alcoholism.

So, ask her to have a chat with her GP, with a view to taking time out to get well, to claim ESA for the time being while she recovers, and without the need to worry about losing her home. She'll be fine, as long as she speaks to her GP / Jobcentreplus about all this first.

My 'fit notes' from my GP state alcoholism / anxiety / depression, and I'm on ESA as we speak (hopefully until I find a job sooner rather than later!)

I wish you, your friend's daughter, and her family the very best of luck.

It won't take luck though. She will do it. It'll just take dogged determination.

All the best,

Sim.

PS - There is a thread on the MSE forum, where a few of us support one another in cutting down / stopping drinking altogether. A lovely crowd over there, so maybe she could sign up and join in?! -

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2632257

moc247

the rules on esa are all changing as is incapacity you used to be able to claim these for alcohol and drug abuse but its being changed now as it doesnt do these people any good to sit around waiting on there next pay day to get there choosen vice living giro to giro the point of esa is to get you back to work by looking at what you can do unlike incapacity that was looking at what you couldnt do! best bet is to go to the job center and go to the docs and ask for help addaction is a free organisation which helps addicts of all kinds with forms and advice on treatment benifits ect
goodluck with it
moc247

mumma_ib

foggytown wrote: »

In this young woman's case it's a terrible waste. She is educated (university), bright, personable - and almost totally intimidated by life.

My daughter was too, almost a copy of what you have just written, in every case its a terrible waste, someone's daughter, someone's family.