Summary
A 53-year-old information system security officer was denied eligibility for access to classified information due to unmitigated security concerns under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) and Guideline I (Psychological Conditions). The applicant had a documented history of alcohol consumption, including periods of excess and intoxication from approximately age 14 to 1998, and again from 2018 to June 30, 2021. He received alcohol treatment in 1998 and resumed sobriety on July 1, 2021.
A licensed psychologist diagnosed the applicant with Severe Alcohol Use Disorder. Disqualifying conditions included a history of binge alcohol consumption, alcohol-related blackouts (one occurring shortly before the evaluation), and an alcohol-related foot injury requiring medical attention.
Despite the application of several mitigating conditions, the administrative judge found that the applicant's less than one year of abstinence from alcohol, coupled with the severe diagnosis and history of consumption, raised unmitigated concerns regarding his reliability and trustworthiness. Consequently, the applicant's request for a security clearance was denied.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant was diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder, Severe, by a qualified psychologist.
- The applicant had a history of binge alcohol consumption and alcohol-related blackouts, including a recent blackout shortly before the evaluation.
- The applicant's abstinence from alcohol was less than one year, raising concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 22(c)raisedHabitual or Binge Consumption of Alcohol to the Point of Impaired Judgment
- AG ¶ 22(d)raisedDiagnosis by a Duly Qualified Medical or Mental Health Professional of Alcohol Use Disorder
- 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 ¶ 23(a)rejectedSo Much Time Has Passed, or the Behavior Was so Infrequent, or It Happened Under Such Unusual Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's recent history of alcohol consumption and blackouts does not support this condition.
- AG ¶ 23(b)rejectedThe Individual Acknowledges His or Her Pattern of Maladaptive Alcohol Use, Provides Evidence of Actions Taken to Overcome This Problem, and Has Demonstrated a Clear and Established Pattern of Modified Consumption or Abstinence in Accordance with Treatment RecommendationsThe applicant's abstinence was less than one year and did not demonstrate a clear pattern of recovery.
- AG ¶ 23(c)rejectedThe Individual Is Participating in Counseling or a Treatment Program, Has No Previous History of Treatment and Relapse, and Is Making Satisfactory Progress in a Treatment ProgramThe applicant was not receiving ongoing treatment from a mental health professional.
- AG ¶ 23(d)rejectedThe Individual Has Successfully Completed a Treatment Program Along with Any Required Aftercare, and Has Demonstrated a Clear and Established Pattern of Modified Consumption or Abstinence in Accordance with Treatment RecommendationsThe applicant's history of alcohol use and recent diagnosis do not support this condition.
Key rule quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the adjudicative guidelines.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedDec 20, 2021
- Answer filedJan 10, 2022
- Hearing heldApr 29, 2022
- Decision dateJul 1, 2022
Cite for
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Severe Alcohol Use Disorder
- Impact of Psychological Conditions on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Insufficient Time Abstinent From Alcohol to Mitigate Security Concerns