Substance use disorder (SUD) is a catch-all term for the diagnosable mental disorder based on 11 different criteria and classified on a spectrum.  Different laws, employers, and recovery programs focus on alcohol, hallucinogens (such as LSD), opioids, stimulants (such as amphetamines, methamphetamines, and cocaine), cannabis, and tobacco.  Identifying the issue as substance use disorder instead more specific disorders such as alcoholism or opioid use disorder helps highlight that people have naturally different levels of vulnerability to substances.  Most people who struggle with substance use disorder have used different substances throughout their lives, so proper treatment involves understanding the bigger problem.  Finally, some substances have more stigma than others, such as methamphetamine versus marijuana or alcohol.

Opioid use disorder (OUD), is a type of substance use disorder in which someone has become dependent on opioids.  OUD includes dependencies on all types of opioids, such as synthetic prescriptions like oxycontin or other more natural opiates like morphine or heroin.  Somebody can be suffering from OUD and other substance use disorders at the same time.

Yes.  The law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination covers many things.  Recovering from substance use disorder is a kind of disability.  The law can protect you from discrimination in many areas of your life, including your job, your home, and getting public assistance.

No.  The Social Security Administration has its own definition of disability.  Recovery from substance use disorder is not a disability that qualifies you for Social Security or SSI.  Recovery from substance use disorder is a disability that gets protection from discrimination under federal law.

In general, no.  The law protects against this.  Your employer cannot fire you simply because you have a substance use disorder.  Your employer cannot justify firing you because of your employer’s biases and personal opinions of people struggling with substance use disorder.

Your employer has a duty to reasonably accommodate your disability. Reasonable accommodation means that if you can do the job, but you need some reasonable changes to the job because of your disability, your employer must work with you.  A reasonable change might be a regular time off each week for recovery meetings or doctor’s appointments, depending on your job.

If you are currently using illegal substances and are not in treatment or otherwise in recovery, the law may not protect you from discrimination in your employment, housing, or public assistance. However, the law always protects you for medical care under these circumstances.  A medical professional may NOT deny you treatment because of a current substance use disorder.

Yes.  The law protects you from discrimination in this case.  If you have a valid prescription and you are taking the medication exactly as prescribed, you are protected.  If you use these or other substances illegally, you are NOT protected.

However, remember that even with legally prescribed medication, you must be able to safely perform your job.  Make sure you know how your medication affects you, especially when your doctor first prescribes it or changes your dosage.

Yes.  The law protects you from discrimination in this case.  If you have a valid prescription and you are taking the medication exactly as prescribed, you are protected.  If you use these or other substances illegally, you are NOT protected.

However, remember that even with legally prescribed recovery medication, you must be able to safely perform your job.  Make sure you know how your medication affects you, especially when your doctor first prescribes it or changes your dosage.

However, treatment programs are just one way of figuring out if a person is protected for being in recovery.  Treatment is NOT the only way a person is found to be in recovery.  Some people who used substances in the past—and completed treatment—may be in what is called “long term recovery.”  People in long term recovery might do things to stay sober like going to NA or AA meetings but might not see a doctor regularly to treat their disability.