Question regarding aviation medical?

[100'ToGo]

The way I understand it, substance abuse and dependence is grounds to pull your medical. Makes sense. I'm sure most people would choose a non-alcoholic pilot over an alcoholic. However, this does little to encourage a pilot to seek help for a possible problem. So, having a rule like this means all pilots are not necessarily non-alcoholics, but maybe alcoholics scared of losing jobs. The same applies to many psychological disorders. Seems like another CYA situation to me. Once again this is the way I understand it, not sure if my info is correct.

[ajet32]

The large and or organized 705 companies all have some sort of substance abuse program. Or it is available through the union or benefit plan. This usually means you have been nicked and that is a way of getting the medical back. I don't know what you do if you don't have the benefit of such a program.

[200hr Wonder]

Well yes it is a huge issue with aviation medical. How many people have a Dr. that they use for their medical every year/six months and how many then have another GP that they use for everything else? I know lots of people do. There is a great fear that you go into the Dr complaining of frequent urination, and being tired and that if he knows your a pilot he will yank your medical for fear of diabetes. Same goes for problem drinkers or even people with psychological conditions such as depression. So you do nothing about it and hope it goes away. Men are bad enough at seeking medical advice, and even worse when they are pilots. It is an issue with no easy solution.

[Pratt]

The large and or organized 705 companies all have some sort of substance abuse program. Or it is available through the union or benefit plan. This usually means you have been nicked and that is a way of getting the medical back. I don't know what you do if you don't have the benefit of such a program.

If your medical was pulled and you have no company program to address the issue you would probably have to enroll yourself in a recognized treatment program that could verify your status of being on the road to recovery regarding whatever your issue is. This info would have to be sent to TC who then might reinstate your medical.

For alcohol dependancy as an example you probably would have to abstain from drinking as long as you wanted to keep your medical.

No personal experience just IMO.

[Flybabe]

We have a program for employee assistance. The key is that it depends upon self-disclosure.