PSH-22-0015 - In the Matter of Personnel Security Hearing

On June 6, 2022, an Administrative Judge determined that an individual's access authorization under 10 C.F.R. Part 710 should be restored. The Individual is employed by a DOE contractor in a position that requires him to hold a security clearance. In August 2020, the Individual self-reported that he was voluntarily admitting himself for hospitalization for "alcohol treatment." Subsequently, the Individual was evaluated by a DOE consultant psychologist (Psychologist) in April 2021. The Psychologist diagnosed the Individual with Alcohol Use Disorder, Moderate, without adequate evidence of rehabilitation or reformation. At the hearing, the Individual testified that he had successfully completed a 90-day inpatient alcohol treatment program, attended weekly relapse prevention meetings, and participated in monthly individual counseling sessions. He further testified that he had been abstinent from alcohol since September 30, 2021, and he had been attending daily Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings since November 2021.  The Individual acknowledged that he has an Alcohol Use Disorder and cannot consume alcohol. He testified to the skills he has developed through his rehabilitation journey that aid in his sobriety and provided laboratory evidence of his abstinence from alcohol. After hearing the Individual's testimony, the Psychologist opined that the Individual had demonstrated adequate evidence of rehabilitation and reformation from the Alcohol Use Disorder, Moderate. After considering the evidence in the record and testimony presented at the hearing, the Administrative Judge determined that the Individual had resolved the security concern associated with Guideline G. Accordingly, she concluded that the Individual's access authorization should be restored. OHA Case No. PSH-22-0015 (Katie Quintana)