CASE · Clearance Adjudication Search EngineCASE

Loading case…

ISCR Case 24-02204 — CASE

Case record

ISCR Case 24-02204

A decided public DOHA case, shown for research — not advice or a prediction.

Case Profile
Decision Date1/29/2026
Statusgranted
LevelHEARING
TypeSTANDARD ISCR
Participants
Applicant Representation: Pro Se
Judge: Wilford H. Ross
Government Counsel: Tara R. Karoian
Case Summary
The applicant in this case was a 51-year-old woman employed as an Admissions Director for a health-care company, seeking national security eligibility for the first time. The Department of Defense issued a Statement of Reasons citing security concerns under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption), alleging that the applicant consumed alcohol excessively, which raised questions about her reliability and trustworthiness.
The applicant admitted to a history of excessive alcohol consumption, specifically noting that she drank about a bottle of wine daily from 2004 until she stopped on August 23, 2023. She acknowledged her drinking problem and began attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings in June 2023, where she received a two-year sobriety chip. Additionally, she was diagnosed with Alcohol Dependence and Alcohol Use Disorder by a licensed professional counselor but chose not to continue treatment with that provider. Testimonies from a friend and family members supported her journey to sobriety, highlighting her openness about her past and her commitment to recovery.
The administrative judge ruled in favor of the applicant, concluding that she had successfully mitigated the security concerns related to her past alcohol use. The judge found that the applicant's two years of sobriety, her active participation in AA, and the absence of any relapses demonstrated a clear pattern of rehabilitation. The decision emphasized that granting her national security eligibility was consistent with the national interest.
Guidelines Evaluated
- Guideline GAlcohol Consumption · For Applicant
Similar decisions
Other decisions whose allegations read most like this one. Descriptive similarity of the allegations only — not a prediction.
Finding similar decisions…

Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 24-02204

grantedJan 29, 2026· Hon. Wilford H. Ross· hearing

Summary

This case concerns a 51-year-old woman, an Admissions Director with a high school diploma, who sought security clearance. Her eligibility was initially questioned under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) due to a history of excessive alcohol use. Specifically, allegations were raised that she consumed intoxicants to excess and had been diagnosed with Alcohol Dependence and Alcohol Use Disorder following a medical interview. These issues invoked disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 22(c) and AG ¶ 22(d).

However, the administrative judge ultimately granted her eligibility for access to classified information. This decision was based on several mitigating factors. The applicant achieved sobriety and had been alcohol-free for two years as of the record closing date, demonstrating a clear pattern of modified behavior.

Her rehabilitation efforts included regular attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous, and she provided evidence of strong support from family and friends. These actions satisfied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 23(a), AG ¶ 23(b), and AG ¶ 23(c), leading to the favorable outcome.

Why the Applicant Prevailed

The applicant achieved sobriety and has been alcohol-free for two years as of the record closing date.
She demonstrated a clear pattern of modified behavior and participation in Alcoholics Anonymous.
The applicant provided evidence of support from family and friends regarding her rehabilitation.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

AG ¶ 22(c)raisedHabitual or Binge Consumption of Alcohol
AG ¶ 22(d)raisedDiagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder

Mitigating

AG ¶ 23(a)appliedTime Has Passed Since the Behavior
AG ¶ 23(b)appliedAcknowledgment of Alcohol Use and Actions Taken to Overcome It
AG ¶ 23(c)appliedParticipation in Counseling or Treatment Program

Key Rule Quoted

“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedFeb 12, 2025
Answer filedFeb 20, 2025
Hearing heldJul 15, 2025
Decision dateJan 29, 2026Decision delayed due to government shutdown.

Cite For

Mitigating Conditions for Alcohol Consumption Under Guideline G
Importance of Demonstrating Rehabilitation Efforts
Consideration of the Whole-person Concept in Security Clearance Decisions

Editorial summary generated for research. Not legal advice; not a prediction. Verify against the full decision before relying on any quoted language.

Standardized Decision Profile

SEAD-4 Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) · descriptive summary of a decided case

Posture: HearingDecided: grantedAUD DIAGNOSEDTREATMENT COMPLETED · FAVORABLE

The judge found in favor of the applicant regarding alcohol consumption concerns, noting her admission of past excessive drinking and her diagnosis of Alcohol Dependence and Alcohol Use Disorder. The applicant demonstrated significant progress in her recovery, including two years of sobriety and regular attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, leading to a granted security clearance.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Incident	Response	Disqualifying (¶22)	Mitigating applied (¶23)	Mitigation
1.a	Applicant is ineligible for clearance because she consumes intoxicants to excess.	For Applicant	Binge or Intoxication Pattern	Admitted	—	(a) so much time has passed / so infrequent that it is unlikely to recur (b) acknowledges the pattern and has established modified use or abstinence (c) participating in counseling/treatment with satisfactory progress, no prior relapse	—
1.b	Applicant was diagnosed with Alcohol Dependence and Alcohol Use Disorder after being interviewed by a medical provider.	For Applicant	Alcohol Use Disorder Diagnosed	Admitted	—	(a) so much time has passed / so infrequent that it is unlikely to recur (b) acknowledges the pattern and has established modified use or abstinence (c) participating in counseling/treatment with satisfactory progress, no prior relapse	—

Descriptive standardized rendering of a decided public case (Guideline G). The verbatim source decision is shown in full below.

Full decision

The complete, official text — footnotes and signatures included — is in the original PDF.