Added job hardship in addiction

Jeff Hammond says substance dependence is defined as needing to take increasing amounts of a substance to achieve a desired effect. Photo/File

Beneficiaries with substance addictions face many obstacles that make it difficult for them to keep a job, says Wanganui's director of mental health services.

The number of Central beneficiaries with drug, including alcohol, addictions is dropping, figures show.

Work and Income figures released under the Official Information Act show a steady decline in beneficiaries with substance addictions receiving sickness or invalids' benefits between July 2009 and June 2013.

Numbers for the Central area, which includes Wanganui, fell from 400 to 334, while nationally numbers dropped from 6201 to 5349.

However, the number of Central beneficiaries with addiction problems receiving a benefit for 10 years or more increased from 13 to 27 during that period. One Central individual with a substance addiction has been receiving the invalid benefit for almost 28 years.

Under welfare reforms passed in July, sickness and invalid benefits were repackaged to become Jobseeker Support and Supported Living Payments.

Beneficiaries on Jobseeker Support can be exempt from work obligations if they have a significant injury or health condition, but must seek at least 15 hours' work a week if their health practitioner finds they are capable.

The Whanganui District Health Board's director of mental health services, Jeff Hammond, said a substance dependence was defined as needing to take increasing amounts of a substance to achieve a desired effect. That, combined with suffering withdrawal symptoms, made it difficult for those with addictions to manage their dependence effectively.

"Even though a person may be managing well for many years they may relapse and fall back into old patterns of behaviour."

Those with criminal charges had an extra problem gaining or maintaining work; for example, if they lost a driver licence through drink-driving.

"The general public believe those with addiction cannot function, but this is not true. Many people who have substance-use issues hold down a job.

"However, it is the use of illegal substances that is more problematic for employers. Illegal substances can be associated with criminal elements and they can involve court hearings and in some cases, court sentences."

Major dependence issues in Wanganui were caffeine, alcohol and nicotine, in no particular order, he said.

Beneficiary Advocacy Federation spokeswoman Kay Brereton said substance abuse covered a broad range of problems, from those addicted to painkillers prescribed for a medical condition, to those with an illegal drug habit.