Characteristics of recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for drug addicts and alcoholics.

This study examined symptom severity and level of functioning in recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for drug addicts and alcoholics (DA&A). Although substantial numbers of substance abusers received these benefits until the program was canceled in 1997, little information has been available on the characteristics of these individuals. Approximately 2500 SSI DA&A recipients were assessed at the point in which they were to be referred for treatment services. Results indicated that in addition to long histories of alcohol abuse and recent problems with employment, these DA&A recipients were characterized by high levels of medical and psychiatric problems. Problem severities in these latter two areas were found to be consistently high across several subgroupings of recipients, including those who reported no alcohol or drug use in the prior 30 days. These findings suggest that SSI DA&A recipients are often significantly impaired beyond their alcohol and drug use.