How the Americans with Disabilities Act Applies to Addiction and Recovery

How the Americans with Disabilities Act Applies to Addiction and Recovery 

35 years after the passage of the ADA, thousands of people in recovery are unaware of their civil rights under the law. The part of the ADA that addresses Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is the most underutilized piece of the law. Knowing one’s rights can have a transformative effect on how we live, treat and care for one another in this country. The ADA is a guiding force in combating discrimination often misidentified as stigma for people with AUD and SUD. Learn about protections under the law through illustrative scenarios.

Learning Objectives

• Understand how and why addiction is a disability under the ADA.
• Identify protections when applying for a job, and on the job.
• Outline one’s rights to utilize medication for opioid use disorder while involved in: the courts, jail or prison, recovery residences, and in health care.

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