Summary
A 34-year-old male applicant with a master's degree was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption), Guideline H (Drug Involvement), and Guideline I (Psychological Conditions). The denial stemmed from ongoing mental health issues, including a diagnosed alcohol use disorder and a history of substance misuse.
Specifically, the applicant continues to consume alcohol regularly to intoxication. He also has a history of illegal drug use, including marijuana and prescription stimulants, which raised concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness. While the applicant claimed his mental health conditions were manageable through treatment, the judge determined that these conditions did not sufficiently mitigate the risks associated with his alcohol consumption and substance misuse.
Disqualifying conditions cited included AG ¶ 28(a), AG ¶ 28(b), AG ¶ 28(c), AG ¶ 25(a), AG ¶ 25(c), and AG ¶ 22(d). Although mitigating conditions AG ¶ 29(a), AG ¶ 29(b), and AG ¶ 29(c) were considered, the judge ultimately found significant concerns regarding the applicant's alcohol use and drug involvement, leading to the denial of clearance eligibility.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant continues to consume alcohol regularly to intoxication despite a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder.
- The applicant has a history of illegal drug use, including marijuana and prescription stimulants, which raises concerns about reliability and trustworthiness.
- The applicant's mental health conditions, while manageable, do not mitigate the risks associated with his substance misuse and alcohol consumption.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 28(a)appliedBehavior That Casts Doubt on an Individual’s Judgment, Stability, Reliability, or Trustworthiness
- AG ¶ 28(b)appliedAn Opinion by a Duly Qualified Mental Health Professional That the Individual Has a Condition That May Impair Judgment, Stability, Reliability, or Trustworthiness
- AG ¶ 28(c)appliedVoluntary or Involuntary Inpatient Hospitalization
- AG ¶ 25(a)appliedAny Substance Misuse
- AG ¶ 25(c)appliedIllegal Possession of a Controlled Substance
- AG ¶ 22(d)appliedDiagnosis by a Duly Qualified Medical or Mental Health Professional of Alcohol Use Disorder
- AG ¶ 29(a)rejectedThe Identified Condition Is Readily Controllable with Treatment
- AG ¶ 29(b)rejectedThe Individual Has Voluntarily Entered a Counseling or Treatment Program
- AG ¶ 29(c)rejectedRecent Opinion by a Duly Qualified Mental Health Professional That an Individual’s Previous Condition Is Under Control or in Remission
Key rule quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedOct 21, 2019
- Answer filedDec 9, 2019
- Hearing heldMar 3, 2020
- Decision dateMar 31, 2020
Cite for
- Denial of Clearance Due to Ongoing Mental Health Issues Under Guideline I
- Substance Misuse and Alcohol Consumption as Disqualifying Factors Under Guidelines H and G
- The Importance of Managing Mental Health Conditions in Relation to Security Clearance Eligibility.