…Flying drunk and liking to drink are 2 entirely different things and should be treated as such, IMHO.
They are. Unless someone writes “I like to drink” on their MedXpress application, the FAA has no idea anyone drinks unless the liking to drink resulted in one of a very small number of things.
1. 18.o. Alcohol dependence or abuse
For example: Select Yes if you have been diagnosed and/or treated in an inpatient or
outpatient setting for misuse of alcohol. Select Yes if you ever had a diagnosis of
alcohol use disorder. Select Yes for any and all positive alcohol tests whether administered at the federal, state, or local level, or by a private employer.
and/or
2. 18.v. History of (1) any arrest(s) and/or conviction(s) involving driving while intoxicated by, while impaired by, or while under the influence of alcohol or a drug; or (2) history of any arrest(s), and/or conviction(s), and/or administrative action(s) involving an offense(s) which resulted in the denial, suspension, cancellation, or revocation of driving privileges or which resulted in attendance at an educational or a rehabilitation program.
and/or
3. 18.x. Other illness, disability, or surgery
List any illness/illnesses or disability/disabilities not provided for in 18a-y. (Alcohol abuse is a disability covered under ADA whether in recovery or not).
and/or
4. 19. Have you visited any health professionals within the last 3 years?
1. Select Yes or No
-You are required to enter ALL visits to any health professionals (such as physician,
physician assistant, nurse practitioner, psychologist, psychiatrist, chiropractor,
clinical social worker, or substance abuse specialist, including an EAP employer-
sponsored specialist) for treatment, examination, or medical/mental evaluation.
Notice that liking to drink does not require a “yes”. Actual evidence that an impairment substantially impacted life activity is required.
Given that, when all you have is a hammer designed for a specific occupation, you may not see nails everywhere, but if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, your goose is going to get cooked.
