Background
In the 1970's, HIMS (Human Intervention Motivation Study) grew out of a grant that created an alliance between the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), a federal agency, and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), a labor union, to test a program for dealing with alcoholism among the airline pilot population. Several factors prompted development of a pilot specific model. The commercial aviation environment is not well suited for a traditional on-the-job supervisory program. It was assumed that a pilot's ability to function effectively was best observed by other pilots.
Accordingly, a peer identification and referral system seemed best suited in developing a pilot-centered, confidential, participatory program. Given the sensitive nature of a pilot's responsibilities and the interrelationship between medical and technical performance standards, it was apparent that involvement of the airline, FAA and pilot union was essential to the success of the program. Since its inception, over 3,500 professional pilots have been successfully rehabilitated and returned to their careers.