HIMS
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HIMS
HIMS In 1974 the Airline Pilot’s Association worked with the FAA to create a program to assist airline pilot is identified as having problems with alcohol or alcoholism. This program was highly successful and became a model for many other programs to assist professionals. The FAA later expanded this program to be available to second and third class certificate holders.
pilots
This gave pilots who were identified as having a substance use problem a pathway to not only regain their medical certificates but to achieve sobriety.
AMEs certified
Because this involved some special evaluation and reporting they decided to have AMEs certified in the HIMS program administer this.
One of the most frequent ways that pilots are directed to the HIMS program is by being arrested for a DUI. It is important for pilots to remember that they are required to report any drug and/or alcohol related conviction or administrative action to the FAA under part 61.15(e) within 60 days. This reporting is to the safety division and is required whether or not the pilot is in the HIMS program The incident must also be reported online 18.v on the Medxpress application. This reporting is required for convictions but also for arrests or administrative actions even if the offense was reduced from DUI to careless driving or another lesser charge. The FAA is actually relatively lenient for a first offense in a lifetime if the blood alcohol at the time of the arrest was less than 0.15. If a pilot refuses blood alcohol testing the FAA assumes the worst and you will be treated as a hard-core abuser. IF YOU HOLD A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE NEVER REFUSE ALCOHOL TESTING!!!
There is a very good overview of the HIMS program at himsprogram.com. This is the formal HIMS program for airline pilots.
A pilot not employed by an airline can expect the process to begin with an evaluation by a HIMS AME. The airman will be directed to prepare a personal statement and obtain any court records or police report documenting the incident. These will usually include the required information about the blood alcohol content. The airman will also need to obtain driving records from every state where they have held a driver’s license in the past 10 years. If there was any treatment program those records will need to be obtained. A separate substance abuse evaluation may also be required. All of these reports will be submitted to the FAA and they make a decision about disposition. Evaluation by a HIMS trained psychiatrist and/or neuropsychologist may be required. If the airman is directed to the HIMS program they can expect to be required to have regular (every 3-6 months) visits with the HIMS AME. Random testing for alcohol or drug use is almost always required at this stage. This involves random urine testing, 14 tests every 12-month or regular use of a reporting breathalyzer device such as Soberlink.
Treatment for substance abuse, counseling and attendance in a group program such as AA may also be required on an individual basis. Follow-up psychiatric and/or neuropsychiatric testing may be required. The program usually continues for 2-7 years. Programs that were initially more aggressive may be stepped down over time if appropriate. The airman usually gets their medical certificate back early in the process. The FAA usually wants to see at least 6 months of documented abstinence from drugs or alcohol before they issue the certificate. For this reason I recommend starting the random drug/alcohol testing as early as possible, even before it is officially required. When the FAA determines that the airman has successfully completed the HIMS program they are released back to regular certification. Any incident that suggests relapse of substance abuse puts the airman back at the beginning of the program although they can expect more rigorous treatment and surveillance. The HIMS program is lengthy, expensive and requires a significant commitment from the pilot. Some people just beside that they would rather not fly. The HIMS program offers the opportunity for continued pilot certification after what used to be considered a career ending event. Most of the people that I havehelped go through the HIMS program have found it to have a very beneficial and occasionally life-saving effect on their life. I am happy to answer any questions that anyone may have regarding the HIMS program. Feel free to use the contact information on this website.