A Substance Abuse Program For All Pilots

By: Rex Alexander

According to their website, "HIMS is an occupational substance abuse treatment program, specific to commercial pilots, that coordinates the identification, treatment, and return to work process for affected aviators." That being said, Dr. Ian Fries, a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) out of Vero Beach, Florida who is a HIMS designated AME said that, "the HIMS program is open to all pilots, regardless of whether they are a brand new student pilot with zero hours or a veteran ATP with thousands of hours."

In sitting down with Dr. Fries at EAA AirVenture he explained that the HIMS program originated from a study that was initiated in 1975. Out of that study it was found that there could be a significant return on investment for airlines if they could identify a way to rehabilitate vs terminate a pilot. Findings showed that if an airline could assist pilots in dealing with substance abuse and rehabilitate them into the workforce versus terminating them and starting from scratch with a new pilot, tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars could be saved.

While some may say that airlines should never take this chance, Dr. Fries points to statistics which show that the "FAA Endorsed" HIMS program has been proven to be successful 85% of the time with just a 15% failure rate. When compared to other substance abuse programs on the market having, at best, a 60% success rate or at worst a 30% or less success rate, one can see that the HIMS program is truly making a positive impact in the lives of numerous people in the aviation industry.

In comparing the pilot population to the general public, regarding an individual's susceptibility to substance abuse, Dr. Fires said that, "on average 10% of the pilot population has been found to be susceptible to substance abuse compared to 20-30 percent of the general, non-pilot population, depending on what statistics are referenced." His explanation for this discrepancy was that most pilots understand the DOT random drug testing requirements and are more in-tune to operating under a very regimented and structured set of rules.

One area that Dr. Fries said they were seeing a significant increased problem within recent years is with the use of marijuana. While many states have passed laws that allow for the use of marijuana in their state, pilots must remember that a pilot's license is not a state license, but a federal one, and the federal government has not changed their standards or stance on marijuana use.

Dr. Fries advice to any pilot who finds themselves in a situation involving substance abuse, is that the sooner they can take action and get into the HIMS Program with a designated HIMS AME the better. He went on to say that "it is not a process that can be done quickly, so expect to invest a lot of time, effort and some money, but if a pilot is willing, there is a path back to the cockpit."

As far as finding an AME who is HIMS designated, Dr. Fries said that this information is published on the HIMS Program website and can be accessed by anyone who is interested. There is also information on the website for AME's who are interested in becoming HIMS certified. There is a HIMS basic course for interested AME's that is taught every September in Boulder Colorado and there is an advanced course which is conducted every year in March. The advanced course is however held in different parts of the country depending on what company is that year's sponsor.

Dr. Fries said that when he has his first discussion with a pilot, he emphasizes that it is the pilot who is ultimately responsible for everything in the HIMS Program. While the HIMS AME specifically tailors a program to the individual and their needs, administers the program and testing, and guides the pilot through the process. It is the pilot who is the one that is responsible for enrolling in the program, gathering all the required documentation, which there is a tremendous amount, and adhering to the strict treatment and testing program.

At the end of the day there is a path back to the cockpit. It's not an easy path but it is an achievable path. And, it is a path that is endorsed by the FAA and embraced by many of the major airline and corporate flight departments throughout the United States.

FMI: himsprogram.com