Procedures for Clients with Substance Abuse
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as Amended and the Federal Regulations to implement the Act require that all cases of mental or emotional disorders be evaluated by a physician skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of such disorders or by a psychologist. The American Psychiatric Association has listed alcohol and drug abuse as mental disorders.
For applicants or clients with medical records which indicate an alcohol or drug problem, the following procedures must be followed to attain or maintain eligibility for Vocational Rehabilitation services.
1. Alcohol and/or drug addiction must be diagnosed by a physician skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders or a state licensed psychologist.
2. The applicant must be actively participating in or have successfully completed an approved substance abuse therapeutic program.
3. The therapeutic program may be either in-patient or out-patient; however, if out-patient, the client must have received a minimum of 30 hours of therapy within a 30 day period.
If alcohol and/or drug addiction is indicated or recorded in the medical records, even though it is considered as a secondary or minor disability, it must be addressed and dealt with the same as a major disability.
If there is evidence of alcohol and/or drug addiction or abuse in the medical records, even though the dependency is not considered as a major or minor disability, the counselor must document the fact that the condition will not affect the planned service and/or reasonable expectation.
4. Reasonable Expectation - The requirements to indicate a reasonable expectation for this disability group are as follows:
The individual must have demonstrated the ability to abstain from alcohol and/or drugs for a minimum of 30 days. The case may then be placed in status 02 and vocational assessment and Individualized Written Rehabilitation Program planning may take place for the next 60 days. Subsequently, the client must maintain the ability to abstain from alcohol and/or drugs. If Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous (AA/NA) is recommended, the client must have a sponsor and written verification of attendance in AA/NA from the sponsor or meeting chairperson. If this period is successfully completed, reasonable expectation may be established and appropriate services provided.
5. Failure to Abstain - Should the rehabilitation process be jeopardized as a result of the client beginning to use drugs or alcohol after acceptance for Vocational Rehabilitation services, case services should be interrupted and the case placed in status 24. If interrupted, services may be provided or resumed only if the client has again demonstrated his or her ability to abstain from drugs or alcohol for a period of at least 90 days. The counselor may elect to obtain an assessment at a treatment program for assistance in determining if case services should be allowed to resume.
6. Careful documentation must be maintained by the
counselor of all aspects of the case. Reports must be obtained from physicians,
psychologists, and treatment centers.
1/1990
Return to 2. Gathering Information for Eligibility Determination and Vocational Planning.