Walking a straight (and fine) line: Alcoholism and the Americans with Disabilities Act

This paper examines case law regarding alcoholism as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Courts have used varying standards in deciding whether alcoholism should be considered a disability within the meaning of the term in the ADA. These have ranged from accepting alcoholism as a disability per se to requiring extensive evidence that a person's alcohol abuse places a substantial limitation on a major life activity. Required accommodations for alcoholics have been minimal, mostly the allowance of time off for rehabilitation. Employers have been permitted to hold alcoholics to the same standards of performance and behavior as non-alcoholics.