Summary
A 43-year-old mechanic was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) and Guideline I (Psychological Conditions). The judge found that the applicant's long-standing issues with alcohol and mental health challenges raised significant doubts about his reliability and trustworthiness, and he failed to demonstrate effective mitigation.
The applicant's history of alcohol consumption began in 1996, escalating to binge drinking by age 19 or 20. He had three confirmed DUI arrests: in November 2002 with a .15% BAC, in November 2008 with a .24% BAC, and in October 2014. Following his first DUI, he was sentenced to an alcohol education class and six months of AA meetings. After his second DUI, he served four days in jail and five years on probation. A February 2015 DUI arrest was alleged but disputed by the applicant. Despite a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder in November 2020, he reported reducing his drinking to weekends, with his attorney stating a commitment to sobriety in July 2021.
Regarding psychological conditions, the applicant received mental health treatment from June 2009 to March 2010 for anxiety and stress, including an involuntary hospitalization in August 2010 for anxiety and hallucinations, during which he self-medicated with alcohol. He sought treatment again from July to October 2014 for social anxiety, and underwent inpatient treatment from March to April 2018 for alcohol detoxification and hallucinations. A November 2020 psychological evaluation diagnosed him with social anxiety disorder and mild/moderate alcohol use disorder. The denial was based on his admitted excessive alcohol consumption, multiple DUI arrests, and unmitigated psychological conditions, including a lack of evidence for a consistent treatment plan or favorable prognosis.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant admitted to a history of excessive alcohol consumption and multiple DUI arrests.
- The applicant's psychological conditions, including social anxiety and alcohol use disorder, were not effectively mitigated.
- The applicant did not provide evidence of a consistent treatment plan or favorable prognosis from a qualified mental health professional.
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 ¶ 22(a)appliedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
- AG ¶ 22(c)appliedHabitual or Binge Consumption of Alcohol to the Point of Impaired Judgment
- AG ¶ 22(d)appliedDiagnosis by a Duly Qualified Medical or Mental Health Professional of Alcohol Use Disorder
Key rule quoted
“Eligibility for access to classified information is denied.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedMay 27, 2021
- Answer filedJul 30, 2021
- Hearing heldOct 18, 2021
- Decision dateJan 27, 2022
Cite for
- Denial of Clearance Due to Psychological Conditions Under Guideline I
- Denial of Clearance Due to Alcohol Consumption Under Guideline G
- Failure to Mitigate Security Concerns Related to Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues