Question by Curtis: Do I Qualify for Cal-SDI under these ICD-9 codes?
My doctor took me out of work after i went to him to seek treatment for severe stress and crippling anxiety related to that stress. After a short talk about my daily life and what was going on he put me on a short grocery list of medications and took me out of work for 8 weeks.
The primary diagnosis listed on the application was 300.02 (generalized anxiety disorder).
The secondary diagnosis was 291.81(alcohol with-drawl syndrome).
The notation for the diagnosis was “generalized anxiety disorder, depression, alcohol dependence and alcohol with-drawl.
The findings were “patient is undergoing severe anxiety and depression related to detoxing from alcohol”
My medications are Naltrexone, Gabapentin, Gydroxyzine,and Remeron. Some pretty heavy stuff.
It’s important to note that I did not go to my doctor because i felt i have a drinking problem. i drank nightly, but not heavily (1-4 beers a night after work). my doctor is a never-drink-again guru and that’s the path he decided to take, I have followed it to the letter.
My question is, with that primary and secondary diagnosis (not living in a treatment facility) do I qualify for California state disability. I’m obviously very concerned.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I appreciate any help or advice you can give me. I’m most interested in the recent law applied to my situation.

Best answer:

Answer by Leo D
Maybe. It depends how long your depression and anxiety lasts once you have real sober time. Since alcohol is a depressant, if you didn’t have depression before, permanent disability will be very hard to prove without qualifying events, I.e., death of a spouse or child, illness, tragic loss, etc.

Then he or a therapist might add PTSD and you’d have a better case.

You could try for temporary disability until you know where you are with some real sobriety under you. Interestingly, beer drinkers often also have wheat or yeast allergies that contribute to mood disorders. Take away the beer and things get much better in a month or two.

Unless you have severe depression, it will be hard to get temporary disability, but it’s worth trying to support your full-time sobriety effort for a few months.

Know that it can take 3-6 months to get approved in California and benefits are 400-800 a month. Can you live on that?

In the meantime, call 211 on your phone. It’s the United Way. They can give you resources for shelter, housing, free food banks, clothing and more.

The very best of luck to you. I know 4 beers doesn’t seem like much, but most people don’t drink every week, let alone every day… Bummer, but true… Lol! I’ll have you in my daily good wishes for a better life!

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!