Summary
A 48-year-old defense contractor was denied a security clearance under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) due to a history of alcohol abuse and related legal issues. The applicant's alcohol consumption, at times to excess and resulting in blackouts, spanned from approximately 1969 to at least July 1996. This history included three DUI arrests in State A: one in August 1989, another in June 1996, and a third in June 1996, which was his third offense in ten years. These arrests led to fines, jail sentences (some stayed), community service, and requirements for alcohol treatment and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) attendance.
Following the 1989 arrest, the applicant was diagnosed as alcohol dependent and received treatment from December 1989 to January 1990. After the June 1996 arrests, he again received treatment from July to August 1996 for diagnosed alcohol dependence, followed by an aftercare program and required AA meetings.
The denial was based on the applicant's prolonged history of alcohol abuse and recurrent law enforcement difficulties. Despite completing treatment programs, the applicant repeatedly returned to alcohol abuse, with his most recent incident occurring ten months prior to the decision. The judge found that less than ten months of sobriety was insufficient to mitigate the government's security concerns, leading to the denial of his clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has a prolonged history of alcohol abuse and law enforcement difficulties stemming from three alcohol-related incidents over a ten-year period.
- Despite completing treatment programs, the applicant returned to alcohol abuse multiple times, with his last incident occurring just ten months prior to the decision.
- The applicant's sobriety was less than ten months at the time of the decision, insufficient to mitigate the government's security concerns.
Conditions Referenced
- DC 1raisedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
- DC 3raisedDiagnosis by a Credentialed Medical Professional of Alcohol Abuse or Alcohol Dependence
- DC 4raisedHabitual or Binge Consumption of Alcohol to the Point of Impaired Judgment
- DC 5raisedConsumption of Alcohol, Subsequent to a Diagnosis of Alcoholism by a Credentialed Medical Professional and Following Completion of an Alcohol Rehabilitation Program
- MC 3rejectedFollowing Diagnosis of Alcohol Abuse or Alcohol Dependence, the Individual Has Successfully Completed Inpatient or Outpatient Rehabilitation Along with Aftercare Requirements, Participates Frequently in Meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous or a Similar Organization, Abstained From Alcohol for a Period of at Least 12 Months, and Received a Favorable Prognosis by a Credentialed Medical Professional.The applicant did not sustain sobriety for at least 12 months.
Key Rule Quoted
“A decision to grant or continue an Applicant's request for security clearance may be made only upon a threshold finding that to do so is clearly consistent with the national interest.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedOct 8, 1996
- Answer filedNov 1, 1996Applicant elected to have his case determined on the basis of the written record.
- Hearing held—Case assigned to Administrative Judge on April 3, 1997.
- Decision dateApr 15, 1997
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to History of Alcohol Abuse
- Impact of Insufficient Sobriety on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Recurrent Alcohol-related Incidents as Disqualifying Factors