Alcohol Consumption and Drug Involvement

You’ve been handed a 31-page form called the SF-86. This is your security clearance application that asks many questions that aren’t always clear, or you know how to answer.

Being told to be as honest and truthfully doesn’t always help because no one is perfect or lives in a perfect world. Sometimes the simple yes and no answers simply do not apply.

While not everything you say or do will cause you to lose, or be denied a security clearance; specific conditions and circumstances do.

Positive answers given regarding citizenship, foreign activities, medical records, police records, use of illegal drugs, related activity, use of alcohol, your investigation record, and associations are looked at in greater detail because they may indicate a security concern. Let’s explore each area in-depth so you know what this means to you.

Alcohol consumption and drug involvement

No one is judging you. Having one drink, or taking a drug your doctor has proscribed to you is not legally wrong. But there are four specific conditions of concern related to this and security clearances you should be aware of:

Evidence alcohol or drugs have been abused
Have you been in an alcohol or drug-related treatment or counseling program
Has it been a year, or longer since occurrence or attendance
How likely will you resume abusing alcohol or be involved with drugs again

This is because alcohol abuse and drugs affect and alter your brain chemistry which does impact your judgment and perception. Would you want your surgeon or pilot to light up or take a drug prior to doing a risky procedure where you can lose your life in the process? The same can be said about national security and guarding our nation’s secrets.

What all of this means to you: Past involvement, or attending a program one year or more from the time you submit your security clearance application does not mean you will lose or be denied a security clearance. Remember to provide all documentation related to any treatment or counseling program you’ve attended.