Drug treatment and a career in aviation
07-04-2010, 10:11 PM
#1
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Joined APC: Jul 2010
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Drug treatment and a career in aviation
Dear readers,
I am having a serious mental dilemma concerning a possible career in aviation. Hopefully there is someone out there who may be able to answer this question ( sorry about the length of this entry but the background info in necessary ). The situation is as follows. I am about to take my first class medical to see if I am physically fit for flight (mainly want to make sure my eyes are up to par) and under medical history there is a question which pertains to substance dependency. I do not by any means have a substance abuse or dependence problem, nor have I ever based on FAA standards. However, during my youth (13-18 years of age) I became quite the problem child. It was more or less the standard run of the mill disobedience with the less standard drug experimentation. When I was 18 my parents and I decided to put me into a drug clinic for some behavior modification and ever since then I have cut out the nonsense and have become successful in my own right. I am nearly done with my B.S. degree in computer science and I also currently hold certifications in emergency medicine and I am working my way through college as an EMT. I feel as if I should tell the doc about the drug clinic because I do not want to be accused of lying on a federal document. However, I also do no want to be penalized for some youthful aberration and become disqualified from an entire industry and be labeled as some recovering junkie. I was never diagnosed as an individual with substance dependency by any medical professional. It was a proactive decision to send me to a clinic that my parents and I made to nip any possible problems in the bud and get me out into the world on a good path. Furthermore, some pilot job applications ask if you have ever had any medical treatment for drugs. Being honest, I would have to answer yes. Would answering yes to such a question have my application instantaneously thrown into the shredder? Should I continue on with the goal and begin flight training? Or is the industry so unforgiving that it would be a waste of time and money. Additionally, I have no criminal record, no DUI's, no drug charges or arrests, no nothing. I have no medical problems whatsoever be it physical or psyc. Any input would be appreciated and I am sorry for the lengthy nature of this entry. Thank you!
I am having a serious mental dilemma concerning a possible career in aviation. Hopefully there is someone out there who may be able to answer this question ( sorry about the length of this entry but the background info in necessary ). The situation is as follows. I am about to take my first class medical to see if I am physically fit for flight (mainly want to make sure my eyes are up to par) and under medical history there is a question which pertains to substance dependency. I do not by any means have a substance abuse or dependence problem, nor have I ever based on FAA standards. However, during my youth (13-18 years of age) I became quite the problem child. It was more or less the standard run of the mill disobedience with the less standard drug experimentation. When I was 18 my parents and I decided to put me into a drug clinic for some behavior modification and ever since then I have cut out the nonsense and have become successful in my own right. I am nearly done with my B.S. degree in computer science and I also currently hold certifications in emergency medicine and I am working my way through college as an EMT. I feel as if I should tell the doc about the drug clinic because I do not want to be accused of lying on a federal document. However, I also do no want to be penalized for some youthful aberration and become disqualified from an entire industry and be labeled as some recovering junkie. I was never diagnosed as an individual with substance dependency by any medical professional. It was a proactive decision to send me to a clinic that my parents and I made to nip any possible problems in the bud and get me out into the world on a good path. Furthermore, some pilot job applications ask if you have ever had any medical treatment for drugs. Being honest, I would have to answer yes. Would answering yes to such a question have my application instantaneously thrown into the shredder? Should I continue on with the goal and begin flight training? Or is the industry so unforgiving that it would be a waste of time and money. Additionally, I have no criminal record, no DUI's, no drug charges or arrests, no nothing. I have no medical problems whatsoever be it physical or psyc. Any input would be appreciated and I am sorry for the lengthy nature of this entry. Thank you!
07-05-2010, 12:18 PM
#3
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Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,293
You do NOT want to lie to the federal government...not only can the revoke your medical and pilot certs when they find out, they can send to prison.
So basically you need to figure out if the situation is reportable to FAA Aeromedical. Keep in mind that the FAA makes NO, ZERO, ZIP allowance for the reporting of juvenile vs. adult medical and criminal issues....they ask "have you ever" they mean exactly that: "Ever"
They need info on your medical and substance abuse history for obvious reasons. They ask about criminal activity because a first class medical will generally require that you be "of good moral character" and criminla behavior may indicate underlying mental illness.
With that said, they are pretty rational about evaluating most individuals...they are certainly smart enough to know the difference between youthful misbehavior and and adult criminal activity. The fact that you have your act together now will help...especially if you have good grades.
The substance rehab is another issue, I don't think they will give extra credit" because you were young...they only care that you have gotten over it.
As to whether you have to report it, read the medical form carefully (I don't have the new one handy). I'm pretty sure that rehab will be covered under mental, substance, or health care provider visit questions.
For what you describe, the FAA will not "ban" you from flying, worst case they will probably just require some follow up evaluation with an appropriate doctor (at your expense).
I strongly suggest you don't lie...the fact that you did rehab is probably know to your friends and family, you could spend the rest of your career hoping it never comes out.
So basically you need to figure out if the situation is reportable to FAA Aeromedical. Keep in mind that the FAA makes NO, ZERO, ZIP allowance for the reporting of juvenile vs. adult medical and criminal issues....they ask "have you ever" they mean exactly that: "Ever"
They need info on your medical and substance abuse history for obvious reasons. They ask about criminal activity because a first class medical will generally require that you be "of good moral character" and criminla behavior may indicate underlying mental illness.
With that said, they are pretty rational about evaluating most individuals...they are certainly smart enough to know the difference between youthful misbehavior and and adult criminal activity. The fact that you have your act together now will help...especially if you have good grades.
The substance rehab is another issue, I don't think they will give extra credit" because you were young...they only care that you have gotten over it.
As to whether you have to report it, read the medical form carefully (I don't have the new one handy). I'm pretty sure that rehab will be covered under mental, substance, or health care provider visit questions.
For what you describe, the FAA will not "ban" you from flying, worst case they will probably just require some follow up evaluation with an appropriate doctor (at your expense).
I strongly suggest you don't lie...the fact that you did rehab is probably know to your friends and family, you could spend the rest of your career hoping it never comes out.
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