Alcohol, Antidepressants and the FAA

Ian Blair Fries

Friday, November 04, 2011 at 11:12 PM ET

Verified

** How the FAA evaluates substance abuse
has changed substantially in recent years.**

Key Takeaways:

The FAA has significantly tightened procedures for pilots with alcohol or drug issues, eliminating "free passes" for initial incidents; high blood alcohol content (BAC) or refusal of testing now often leads to a substance abuse diagnosis and mandatory participation in the Human Intervention and Motivation Study (HIMS) program for certification.
The HIMS program for substance abuse recovery is a rigorous, long-term process requiring residential rehabilitation, extensive support group attendance, HIMS AME monitoring, and strict, lifelong abstinence to regain and maintain a special issuance medical certificate.
Pilots taking certain antidepressant medications (Prozac, Lexapro, Zoloft, or Celexa) for mild-to-moderate depression can now potentially obtain a special issuance, provided they meet strict criteria including a stable dosage for a year, successful neurocognitive evaluation, and ongoing monitoring by a HIMS AME.

See a mistake? Contact us.

(November 2011) Federal aviation regulations have not changed, but the procedures the FAA uses to evaluate and certify pilots with alcohol and drug issues, and those on certain antidepressant medications, have changed substantially in the past three years. Pilots with such issues are unpleasantly surprised when confronted by FAA procedures and probably would have chosen a different course if forewarned. Here is what you need to know.

Operation of Motor Vehicle While Impaired
The FAA now scrutinizes each alcohol-related event. There is no free pass for the first or second event as in the past. If you are implicated operating a motor vehicle — yes, a boat qualifies — while under the influence of alcohol, you must within 60 days notify the FAA Security and Investigations Division (AMC-700).