The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Letter to the Editor

The Misuse of Social Security Disability Income on Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Authors: Manish Saran, MD, James Patterson, MD

Abstract

To the Editor:


The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program was signed into law by President Nixon in 1972 with the goal of improving the quality of life for persons who are elderly or have a disability by providing financial support, incentives to work, and access to medical care via Medicaid. In Louisiana, there are 169,547 SSI recipients.1 According to the Office of Applied Studies, there are 289,000 individuals who have a mental illness, and 121,000 individuals who abuse substances.2 There is no published data, however, on how many SSI recipients spend a portion of their disability check on illicit drugs and alcohol.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. SSI Recipients by State and County, 2004. Available at: http://www.ssa.gov/. Accessed December 5, 2006.
 
2. SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2002 and 2003. Available at: http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/. Accessed December 5, 2006.
 
3. Drake RE, Bartells SJ, Teague GB, et al. Treatment of substance abuse in severely mentally ill patients. J Nerv Ment Dis 1993;181:606–611.
 
4. SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2004. Available at: http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/. Accessed December 5, 2006.
 
5. Regier DA, Farmer ME, Rae DS, et al. Comorbidity of mental disorders with alcohol and other drug abuse: results from the Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) study. JAMA 1990;264:2511–2518.Case Report