Alcohol consumption is one of the 13 adjudicative guidelines used to assess security clearance eligibility; meaning alcohol abuse, misuse and incidents can all cause security clearance denial or revocation. So, here’s what you need to know about alcohol consumption’s impact on your security clearance.
WARNING SIGNS
Security clearance background investigators will look for signs of alcohol abuse or dependence. They include admitting to excessive alcohol consumption, drinking alone, drinking first thing in the morning, strong emotions like guilt or shame around alcohol, and any signs that alcohol is interfering with your daily life.
DRINKING RESPONSIBLY IS A NECESSITY
There are no set rules for alcohol consumption, but doing so responsibly is a must. Drinking is only an issue when the government is concerned about its effect on an individual’s judgment and ability to protect classified information.
RED FLAGS
Alcohol-related issues like driving under the influence, disorderly conduct, and binge drinking are major red flags. And while a diagnosis of alcohol-related disorders doesn’t necessarily deem you ineligible, failure to seek or stick to treatment are grounds for denial and revocation.
CONTINUOUS VETTING AND ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
Historically, alcohol is a security clearance factor that has flown under the radar. But continuous vetting (CV) is making it harder for applicants to hide alcohol-related problems. Criminal incidents involving alcohol, employment related issues, or the financial strain of alcohol dependency could present in a CV alert.
MITIGATING FACTORS
In evaluating alcohol incidents and whether they could be clearance issues, a security clearance adjudicator will consider the likelihood of recurrence. Passage of time, a minor incident, or age are all factors that could be used to mitigate alcohol consumption.
Seeking counseling or treatment for alcohol-related disorders could be the determining factor between a denial or revocation and being approved. Many Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) include alcohol treatment or counseling as a benefit. Don’t bury your head in the sand or a bottle. Get proactive help. Click here for the full Alcohol Consumption report.
