Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Disability Insurance (DI), and Substance Abusers

Federal legislation repealed SupplementalSecurity Income (SSI) and Disability Insurance (DI) foralcohol and drug abusers as of January 1997. Thisarticle outlines the context in which the legislation was passed and summarizes concerns resultingfrom the legislation. We discuss the effects of thelegislation on treatment participation, financing, andavailability, and the legislation's impact onindividuals with dual mental health and substance abuseproblems. We also consider the individual and societalimplications of substance abusers' loss of monthlyincome and health insurance.