Center: Students having class outside; Right: Detail of lamppost against fall foliage.
Alcohol/Substance Abuse Recovery
DSS Forms
Accommodations & Services

Documentation Guidelines for College Students with
Alcohol and/or Substance Abuse Recovery

Why is Alcohol and/or Substance Abuse Considered a Disability?
Alcohol and/or substance abuse recovery is considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) if a major life activity is substantially limited. Substance abuse is a condition of physiological and/or psychological dependence on any of a variety of chemicals, including illegal drugs, prescription or over-the-counter drugs, and alcohol. Students who are recovering from the abuse of alcohol and/or drugs, or who are in treatment programs to assist their recovery, are covered by federal anti-discrimination legislation and may be eligible for accommodations. These students may experience psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem, which may adversely affect their academic performance. For further guidelines and accommodations, please refer to the section on psychological disabilities. Clinicians and researchers commonly divide drug and alcohol consumption into three levels or stages of use: use, abuse, and dependence. While the use of drugs and alcohol does not generally rise to the level of impairment that constitutes a disability, abuse and dependence does. Drug and alcohol abuse is characterized by intensified, regular, sporadically heavy, or "binge" use, and dependence is characterized by compulsive or addictive use. Drug and alcohol abuse and dependence are classified as treatable illnesses by both standard diagnostic medical manuals, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (DSM-IV) and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Injuries, and Causes of Death (ICD-10). These manuals also provide criteria for diagnosing drug and alcohol abuse and dependence that focus on psychological, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms.

There is often confusion over how and why the ADA imposes some special requirements for the protection of individuals with current drug problems.
People with past drug or alcohol problems are protected from discrimination by the ADA, as are persons with current alcohol problems who are able to perform their job. The only individuals with drug and alcohol problems who do not have the same rights as others with disabilities are those who currently use drugs illegally.

The ADA specifically excludes from the definitions of "individual with a disability" any individual who is currently engaging in the illegal use of drugs. This includes individuals who use illicit drugs as well as those who use prescription medications unlawfully. Individuals who use drugs under the supervision of a licensed health care professional are not using drugs illegally, and therefore could be protected against discrimination.

Although individuals with current drug problems are not protected, the ADA specifically protects individuals who are participating in a supervised drug rehabilitation program or who have completed a treatment program or have been rehabilitated through self-help groups, employee assistance programs or any other type of rehabilitation, and are no longer using drugs.  The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals who are erroneously regarded as engaging in the illegal use of drugs because of a false positive drug test, but are not engaging in such use. 

Individuals with current alcohol/drug impairments, like any other individual with a current disability, must be able to perform daily essential functions while in the classroom or on the job to be protected against discrimination. In addition, the ADA specifically permits a college student who abuses alcohol to the same performance and conduct standards applicable to all college, even if that employee's problems are related to the alcohol abuse.

What are Common Substances that are Abused?

  1. Stimulants & Depressants
    • Amphetamines ("uppers", "speed")
    • Cocaine ("coke", "crack", "snow")
    • Barbiturates ("downers", "blues")
    • Tranquilizers ("valium", "librium")
    • Quaaludes ("ludes", "quads")
  2. Narcotics
    • Heroin ("H", "junk", "smack")
    • Morphine ("M", "dreamer")
    • Opium, Codeine
  3. Cannabis
    • Marijuana ("pot", "grass", "weed")
    • Hashish ("hash")
  4. Hallucinogens
    • Phencyclidine ("PCP", "angel dust")
    • LSD ("acid")
    • Mescaline
    • "Designer Drugs"
  5. Deliriants
    • Aerosol products
    • Lighter fluid
    • Amyl nitrate ("poppers")
    • Paint thinner and other inhalants
  6. Alcohol

What are the Documentation Guidelines?
Guidelines are provided in the interest of assuring that documentation is appropriate to and/or verify eligibility and to support requests for reasonable accommodations, adjustments, auxiliary aids on the basis of a learning disability that currently substantially limits one or more major life activities.  Documentation serves as a foundation that legitimizes a student’s request for appropriate accommodations.

The following guidelines are provided in the interest of assuring that the service provider in collaboration with the student determine an appropriate diagnosis and establish reasonable accommodations.  Documentation serves as a foundation that legitimizes a student's request for appropriate accommodations.  Recommended documentation includes:

  1. A clear statement of medical diagnosis and description of supporting present symptoms and, if pertinent, past symptoms.
  2. A narrative summary which includes:
    • specific interpretation of the functional limitation and impairments related to the diagnosis and medical treatment of the condition which affect the student's current level of functioning in the college environment;
    • and description/suggestions of reasonable accommodations that have been or might be appropriate in the college environment. The recommendations should be supported by the diagnosis.
  3. Documentation of disability should be current, preferably in the last one to three years, and should include the relative stability of the condition. (The age of acceptable documentation is dependent upon the disabling condition, the current status of the student, and the student's specific request for accommodation).
  4. Professionals conducting diagnostic studies and rendering diagnosis should be qualified to do so. Generally, professionals recognized as qualified to make the diagnosis are physicians, nurse practitioners, licensed social workers, or chemical dependency counselors who have the appropriate credentials/license in conjunction with specialists experienced in working with the particular condition.  The diagnostician should be impartial and not a family member.

What are Common Characteristics of Students with Learning Disability?

  • Inability to organize and budget time
  • Difficulty following directions
  • Difficulty completing assignments on time
  • Frequent spelling errors
  • Incorrect grammar
  • Difficulty taking notes while listening to class lectures
  • Slow reading rate
  • Inaccurate comprehension
  • Difficulty with basic math operations
  • Low frustration level
  • Low self-esteem
  • Impulsive

How are Accommodations and Support Services Determined?
Upon receiving the diagnostic evaluation, DSS will review the need for accommodations and support services based on the individual's disability documentation and disability-based needs. DSS will meet with the student and determine appropriate accommodations in accordance with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act and college policy.

What Accommodations Do Individuals With Drug and Alcohol Problems Need?

  • Notetakers
  • Alternative testing
  • Textbooks in alternative format
  • Separate testing room
  • Tape recorders
  • Notetaker 

Tips for Successful College Experience:

  • Understand that no single treatment is appropriate for all in recovery.
  • Effective treatment must attend to the multiple needs of the student -- not just the drug use.
  • Remaining in treatment for an adequate period of time is critical for treatment effectiveness and positive change.
  • Counseling (individual and/or group) and other behavioral therapies are critical components of effective treatment.
  • Understand that recovery from addiction can be a long-term process and frequently requires multiple episodes of treatment.

Alcohol/Substance Abuse Resources:

Sobriety and Recovery Resources:

Toll-Free Resources

  • The National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service
    1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357)