Opioid User Admits to Using Hundreds of Pills Per Month to DOE Psychologist

Everyone knows the continued use of illegal drugs is not compatible with holding a security clearance. However, not everyone is aware that the same thing applies with the misuse of prescription drugs. We don’t see that many appeals cases involving this issue, so this case from the Department of Energy Office (DOE) of Hearing and Appeals caught my eye. Here are the highlights of the DOE contractor’s appeal.

The contractor had inquired at her DOE onsite Occupational Health Facility as to whether she was allowed to take her Oxycodone prescription during working hours. This triggered a sequence of events that led to the concern that she might have an Opioid Use Disorder because of her self-reported misuse and increased frequency of getting prescription refills. When her physician suggested that she may have a problem and should cut down her use or switch to something else, she went “doctor shopping” to find someone who would increase her prescription. The DOE had her interviewed by a psychologist and she admitted she was getting 120 tablets a month from the new doctor. The psychologist diagnosed her with an Unspecified Opioid Related Disorder.

Testimony at the appeal hearing included her husband who said she had been taking opioid painkillers since 2008, but has now started new treatments for pain management that have helped reduce the need for narcotics. However, contradicting his testimony was her own self admissions to having increased her monthly intake to 180 tablets in June 2022 and then 240 the next month. She also disclosed she is currently on an Oxycodone prescription. She also kept changing her testimony about the number of pills she takes daily or monthly. The appeals judge was of the opinion the contractor was still struggling with an opioid addiction and had not mitigated the security concerns. Clearance reinstatement eligibility was denied.