Third Class Medical and Alcohol Abuse Treatment

[timh1254]

I am An A&P mechanic at a major airline.I recently went to my companies EAP (Employees Assistance Program) and declared that I had a problem with alcohol.I went to a reputable rehab hospital for a week and then to 6 weeks of Intensive Outpatient treatment.I am now back at work.I have never been charged with a DWI or any other alcohol related charges.I just needed help with my problem.Is obtaining my third class medical out of the question and should I just consider it my loss in life? Any help with this subject would greatly be appreciated.Thanks.

 

[poadeleted20]

It's not out of the question, but since if it's recent, it's going to be a significant barrier to getting certified in the near future. Your best bet would be to contact an expert in difficult medical certifications like Dr. Bruce Chien, MD, AME, whom you can find on the AOPA Forums or via his web site, but not here on PoA.

 

[flyingron]

Talking to a knowledgeable AME is key (and Ron's suggestion of Dr. Bruce is a good one).

You will need a current status report from a specialized physician (it doesn't specifically have to be HIMS AME, but the FAA requires the person to be both a specialist in addiction and aviation issues), a personal statement attesting to your use, and the records of your treatment.

I'm fairly sure they'll require complete abstinence as a condition.

 

[poadeleted20]

You will need a current status report from a specialized physician (it doesn't specifically have to be HIMS AME, but the FAA requires the person to be both a specialist in addiction and aviation issues), a personal statement attesting to your use, and the records of your treatment.

I suspect that with the recency of the treatment, you'll need more than this, including a significant period of post-rehab sobriety. There's a big difference between something like one DUI 15 years ago and a long-standing alcohol abuse problem serious enough to require six weeks of in-residence rehab. Bruce will certainly have the details, probably off the top of his head.

I'm fairly sure they'll require complete abstinence as a condition.

In this case, I'm completely sure complete abstinence will be required.

 

[Mike Smith]

I just want to say, good on you for seeking help and getting your life fixed first. It does show a level of accountability. Good luck also with your medical.

 

[comanchepilot]

Contact Bruce Chien - www.aeromedicaldoc.net

Do exactly what he says - no more - no less.

 

[flyingron]

I suspect that with the recency of the treatment, you'll need more than this, including a significant period of post-rehab sobriety. There's a big difference between something like one DUI 15 years ago and a long-standing alcohol abuse problem serious enough to require six weeks of in-residence rehab.

Neither of those extremes is what the original poster has. He had six weeks of OUTPATIENT REHAB.

I stand by my statement. The statements came direct from the FAA's own internal guidance for AMEs on issuance in this circumstance. Perhaps there will be tweaks in the details but I wanted to give the poster the magnitude of what he is looking at.

 

[poadeleted20]

I suspect that with the recency of the treatment, you'll need more than this, including a significant period of post-rehab sobriety. There's a big difference between something like one DUI 15 years ago and a long-standing alcohol abuse problem serious enough to require six weeks of in-residence rehab.

Neither of those extremes is what the original poster has. He had six weeks of OUTPATIENT REHAB.

Did you miss this?

I went to a reputable rehab hospital for a week and then to 6 weeks of Intensive Outpatient treatment.

I misinterpreted it as 6 weeks of inpatient, but it still was a week of inpatient then six weeks of outpatient. I don't think the FAA is going to let that go without a HIMS doc or psych eval involved, especially if we don't know how long the alcohol abuse went on before treatment. So the OP would be well-advised to talk to Bruce in a full and frank manner before submitting a medical application rather than rely on anything you or I have posted.

 

[flyingron]

I didn't miss anything. I was correcting your statement that he had six weeks of INPATIENT rather than the six weeks applying to the outpatient part of his treatment.