Originally Posted by
32LTangoTen
Too many pilots get off on it being a disease. IMO. He will likely get his job back cus he and his lawyer will argue "he has a disease". Stupid. He has a drinking problem. Has a lack of respect for his profession. And has really bad judgement.
Is it stupid? Technically it is a disease. It's a diagnosable condition under the DSM-IV. I think accusing him of having a lack of respect for the profession is also an error. If you look in the DSM-IV, some of the criteria for a diagnosis of dependence or abuse include addictive behavior, where the substance is the priority because of a chemical reaction that takes place in the brain, which consequently alters judgement. This change makes them chemically incapable of making a sound and reasonable decision.
You are right, he has bad judgement because it is impaired by a disease/disorder that chemically alters the brain.
And for the record, he won't "get off". He will have consequences for his actions and he will pay for his actions.
http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publicatio...-2/131-142.pdf