Aviation safety is a sensitive issue for both the industry, Washington D.C. politics and the public, therefore, airline pilots are held to the same safety sensitive standard as physicians and surgeons, particularly when they struggle with addictions.
It certainly is a privilege to fly a plane, and when an airline pilot is impaired in any manner they need to seek help immediately! Currently, there is a rule that each airline pilots must follow if they do consume alcohol – it’s known as the “bottle to throttle rule.” This rule requires a pilot to wait 8 hours after their last drink and when they step into the cockpit. We think this rule should be much more stringent and a 24 hour rule should be in place for aviation airline pilots who consume alcohol prior to operating aircraft.
Providence Treatment’s Professionals Programs for Airline Pilots
Providence Treatment has many years of experience in working with HIMS program and their aviation medical examiners (AMEs). When we receive a request from an AME , we perform an independent assessment with the private or commercial airline pilot. This assessment may take about one (1) day, depending on the complexity of the case. If a substance abuse or psychiatric problem is defined, then the airline pilot is given a choice of treatment centers suited to his/her problem. Providence Treatment currently has airline pilots and air traffic controller in our group and/or individual therapy or treatment.
At Providence Treatment, we support each airline pilot by offering a quality, clean and sober environment, individual and group treatment and professional monitoring. Airline pilots are extremely passionate individuals about flying and anything aviation, so we want to support any airline pilot who may be an alcoholic or drug addict to receive effective treatment and return back to the cockpit when they are ready and safe.
An airline pilot who becomes addicted to drugs is no different than any other addicts in the general population, other than their safety sensitive profession. When an airline pilot is impaired, hundreds of lives are in their hands and all it takes is a single mistake, or a series of mistakes for a disaster to occur. We want to ensure safety in the air as well as supporting each pilot and their need for treatment, if necessary. Providence Recovery House provides the care and sober environment to ensure a sustainable addiction recovery for its airline pilot residents in Philadelphia, PA.
If you or you know an aviation airline pilot who is in need of addiction treatment and/or sober living, please contact us at 866.247.3307 to inquire about our professionals program.
