Your rights at work
Under the Equality Act rules, addiction to drugs is not counted as a disability in itself, unless it started from medicine that was prescribed to you. But conditions caused by or linked to drug use, such as depression, anxiety or physical health problems, can count if they have a substantial, long-term effect on your daily life.
Many drug services offer employment support to help you find or stay in work.
Driving
You must tell the DVLA if you have a drug dependence or misuse drugs. It is illegal to drive with certain drugs in your body, including some prescribed medicines above set limits. Check GOV.UK for the rules.
Benefits
PIP is based on how your health affects you on most days. It does not matter what caused your condition. If drug dependence, or health problems linked to it, mean you need help with things like managing treatment, managing money, preparing food or getting around, you may be entitled to PIP.
PIP points self-check
Go through the 12 PIP activities one at a time and see roughly how many points may apply to you.
About 10 minutes. Your answers never leave your device.
If you cannot work because of your health, you may be able to get Universal Credit or New Style Employment and Support Allowance. Free advisers, such as Citizens Advice, can help with benefits, debt and housing.
Sources we used
- The Equality Act 2010 (Disability) Regulations 2010
- GOV.UK, Drug misuse and driving
- GOV.UK, Personal Independence Payment
We check this page at least once a year, and sooner when the rules change. Read how we check our facts, or tell us if something looks wrong.