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<p>While the Government recognises the personal challenges faced by people with addictions
or dependencies such as alcohol, we subscribe to the view of successive Governments
since the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, that it is not appropriate to give such
conditions protected status under discrimination law. Alcohol addiction or dependency
therefore remains specifically excluded from the Act’s definition of disability under
the Equality Act 2010 (Disability) Regulations 2010.</p><p>Addiction and dependency
can however sometimes cause a disability – for example lung or kidney failure – or
be the result of a disability, for example a mental health condition. Where the addiction
arises due to medically prescribed drugs or other medical treatment – for example
an individual who has an addiction to painkillers because they are prescribed following
an accident or surgery – protection may also be available under the Act. We believe
that this offers the right balance between protecting individuals on the one hand
and employers and service providers on the other.</p>
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