“To Ask for Help Is Brave” — An Anonymous Pilot’s Story

My HIMS story and journey to achieve sobriety. Since my youth I always had fun with alcohol. It wasn't until later in life, I started to realize it was time to put it down. Alcohol started to become a problem as I used it as sleep aid, to adjust to the random schedules I was working at the airlines. I tried to cut back and quit on my own. The HIMS program I was ready to try. I heard of the success rate being high. I really wanted to achieve sobriety and I was willing to try. I trusted the program. I never once violated FAR's or company requirements on alcohol policies and regs. I was never arrested or charged with a crime. Now I feel extremely foolish and almost embarrassed to say I self admitted into the HIMS program. It almost ruined family life. HIMS isn't all bad. It showed me a path, and I discovered the tools to achieve sobriety. I've met amazing genuine people thru the program. I discovered AA while controversial, It has kept me sober and changed my life. I realize it's not for everyone. The problem is once you enter the program, even if done so honestly, it's a one size fits all approach. I was out of work nearly 2 years. The financial ruin I experienced was extremely difficult on my family. I also have a family to support on top of this. The cost involved, extremely high test costs, the time, loss of income, the stress, the unknown. I wish I could recommend the program to people experiencing addiction. There has to be a better path helping people brave enough to ask. Also there has to be a path out of this. I've met so many people in other professional careers that are given the tools, time off, and most importantly a path forward out of the program. To ask for help is brave, life changing, the safest course of action. Not a crime. Please help people by changing the program so more people feel safe raising their hand. Nobody wants to be placed on "parole" for an entire career.

Anonymous