Dr. Blue: Alcohol, Drugs, Mental Health and Flying 

Thanks as always Martin for making this series. As someone who had a previous diagnosis that interfered with my ability to hold a medical, and required many months of effort and $$$ on my part to overcome, this topic hits extremely close to home. And let me be clear; I had it EASY compared to some people. Drug and alcohol abuse are one thing, but the FAAs stance on mental health is flat-out antiquated and dangerous. I shudder to think how many pilots out there are hiding their symptoms in fear of losing their medical, or worse, self-medicating.

Thank You for sharing this info Martin. I lost my medical due to a few serious incidents of mental health challenges after returning home from a deployment in the Middle East. I have not gotten it back yet. I’ve spent a large sum of money for evaluations and the case sat with the FAA over a year. After a year the requested updates information and more evaluations. I simply couldn’t afford it. I do thank you for taking the time to make content like this.

Thanks Martin for doing these interviews with Dr. Blue. I get a kick out of his opinion on CogScreen; it really is an antiquated measurement that has been used by the FAA for many years.

When I was young, boy oh boy, did I drink a lot! When I got into flying it was just because a friend wanted someone to help him through the ground school. I knew the rules regarding drinking and never violated them. So in a way, flying helped me moderate my drinking. But, I noticed something in the last few years. I'd wake up in the morning, want to go flying, but didn't. Not because I was hung over. I just didn't feel like I'd gotten enough sleep. Then, in order to lose some weight, I started limiting myself to no more than one beer a day. What a difference in how I feel, I sleep better, and I lost 17 pounds. So, while I never considered myself a heavy drinker, it did affect how I felt. Every pilot who drinks even a little should remember that.

Great job addressing a topic most RU-vidrs avoid like the plague!

Martin, are you at Oshkosh this year, always like to live vicariously through your videos.

Always good stuff, Martin. Ask him about those of us (and old) who have had a heart attack, etc. Thanks

Love your program on this platform Mr Pauly. So much to learn. Love from Norway -

I know the FAA has caused plenty of pilots trouble over this issue where maybe it was not warranted. For me, though, it created some serious consequences much earlier than most people I have met in recovery. Those consequences have been a blessing in forcing me to be honest with myself about where i was headed, which was no where good.

Thanks for another educational video. First time I've seen any video touch on the topic. I can't be the only one who wondered about the details about getting a DUI.

That should be no brainer! It's just common sense. I remember, over 40 years ago when I was living in Oklahoma, freind, and I had flown to some airport, east of Tulsa, that had a golf course that was designed by famous Jack Nicholson Nicholson. Long story short, we saw this guy stepping out of his plane, Commander 114 , with a can of beer in his hand hand 😳. Unfortunately, it happens more often, than not.

Morning Martin,heard you yesterday at Mason City

...and age!

'Promosm' 💕

Not sure why seperating one drug from another alcohol is a drug no different to any other except its one of the most addictive there is and one of the only ones where withdrawal can be lethal. DT's can kill. Another name for an alcoholic is Junkie or Druggie.