Some employees avoid treatment for fear that if their alcohol problem becomes known it may affect their security clearance. Actually, it is more likely to affect your clearance if you allow the problem to continue untreated. Administrative action concerning security clearance can be deferred pending satisfactory outcome of treatment. Alcoholism is a term commonly used to describe the medical disorder of alcohol dependence. Many health professionals prefer more precise language that distinguishes between alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse.
Alcohol abuse is different from alcohol dependence.
Abusers are not necessarily physically addicted to alcohol, but develop problems as a result of their alcohol consumption and poor judgment, failure to understand the risks, or lack of concern about damage to themselves or others. Because they are not addicted, alcohol abusers remain in control of their behavior and can change their drinking patterns in response to explanations and warnings. Many people who abuse alcohol eventually become alcohol dependent. The presence of any of the following indicators suggests that an individual may have a serious alcohol problem or be at high risk for developing one. Any one indicator is not conclusive evidence of a serious problem, but it is relevant circumstantial evidence and should be noted.