It's easy to see how an illness or an injury can lead to drug or alcohol abuse. It is also not uncommon for alcohol or substance abuse to give rise to a legitimate disability claim. If you're hurting, depressed, anxious, or recovering from an injury, it's not unusual to turn to self-medicating through alcohol and other substances. Many conditions, such as pain syndromes, worsen when opioids or alcohol become part of the picture. When this happens, it can lead to an inability to work in your occupation or in any occupation, and you may be entitled to disability benefits.

The link between disabilities and substance abuse

How bad is this problem? People who are disabled are much more likely to have problems with substance abuse than the rest of the U.S. population. Two or four times more likely, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

The exact percentage of disabled substance abusers varies according to the condition. Drinking is very common among people with spinal cord damage, amputations and blindness. Studies also show that people with rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis are twice as likely to have addiction problems as non-disabled people.

It's estimated that as many as half of those with an orthopedic disability, spinal cord injury, amputation or vision impairment can be classified as heavy drinkers. Additionally, arthritis sufferers and those with multiple sclerosis have high rates of drug and alcohol abuse -- nearly double the rate of the general population.

Insurance denials make the problems worse

You can add insurance denials to this list of problems too. Many people do not know that drug and alcohol addiction is a very serious health condition that may give rise to a disability claim. Some insurance companies will try to use your alcohol or addiction issues against you. This is why it is so important to seek representation if you have a disability claim stemming from alcohol or addiction issues, or if you have experienced a denial of benefits based on alcohol or substance abuse.

How to fight back

You can fight back against denials. Drug and alcohol addiction is in epidemic proportions across the United States, especially opioid abuse. Do not overlook disability insurance benefits that are meant to provide peace of mind in the event of a disability that results from substance abuse.

Like everyone else, physicians (and other professionals) may get seriously injured or come down with career-ending diseases.

The difference is, professionals suffer greater economic losses when they go down than most people. They have invested heavily in their ability to practice, in years of expensive study, and arduous preparation.

Too often, insurance companies rake in the premiums, then refuse to pay out the benefits. This is a classic example of insurance bad faith, of the most extreme sort. In addition to denying claims, they commonly delay claims for lengthy periods of time or offer benefits that fall short of what was promised.

It is horrifying when the worst thing happens - a professional suffers a disabling injury - and the insurance company turns its back on them. Delays and wrongful denials can wreck a professional's future. It is not unusual for talented, skilled professionals to lose their homes, or see their marriages fall apart.

The list of career-ending disabilities is long, including a wide range of afflictions and injuries: Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, quadriplegia, carpal tunnel, treatment-resistant depression, burns, amputations, multiple myeloma, and gun injuries.

Not every injury or illness is career-ending - but many are. And they strike down every kind of self-insured professional person - physicians, surgeons, dental specialists, orthodontists, business owners, executives and attorneys.

What to do when your insurance carrier denies your claim

When your legitimate claim for benefits is denied or ignored, and significant sums are at stake, you need a long-term disability insurance attorney who has experience in this niche field.

Wronged insureds may demand damages including pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life, damage to credit reputation, and for other injuries and damages.

In many cases, the court may order the insurer to pay your attorneys' fees. Punitive damages may be awarded when the insurance company shows malice or a disregard for you, the policyholder.

The law firm of Adelman German, PLC, has been a pioneer in protecting professionals against long term disability insurance bad faith for many years. Call an experienced disability insurance lawyer to learn how you may obtain the benefits you paid for.