The life of a pilot looks glamorous from afar. Yet, you may know more than the average person does about the stress involved with flying. Simply becoming a pilot puts you in situations that increase your risk of developing an addiction. Spending days in the cockpit, dealing with back-to-back flights, and being responsible for everyone's safety can all lead to intense stress. Now that you've noticed potentially negative drinking or drug use habits, it's worth seeking a pilot substance abuse treatment that provides you with these benefits.
Stay In Compliance With FAA Regulations
As a pilot, you never know when you might be asked to submit to a random drug test. You also know that you need to follow specific regulations such as not drinking within eight hours of your flights. Once you develop a substance abuse problem, you might find it hard to avoid using alcohol and other mind-altering substances within the appropriate time frames. With treatment, you won't have to worry about potentially losing your license due to failed drug and alcohol tests.
Get Career-Targeted Counseling Services
Pilots often face situations each day that are very different from other types of careers. Pilots are often held to high standards, and you might need a counselor who understands what it is like to be responsible for an aircraft filled with passengers. You may also struggle with time management and issues that stem from having a poor work-life balance. Treatment for pilot substance abuse also includes being able to connect with mentors, sponsors, and counselors who can all help you apply what you learn to your career. If you face a challenge with staying sober as a pilot, you'll find that you always have someone to turn to that helps you manage your cravings for drugs or alcohol.
Learn How to Manage Co-Existing Conditions
The stress of being a pilot can also exacerbate existing mental health conditions that might not have had such extreme symptoms until you began to fly. For instance, your anxiety disorder might suddenly seem too hard to handle when you are dealing with a lack of sleep or high levels of work stress. A large part of your substance abuse treatment as a pilot will involve helping you to identify co-existing conditions that could interfere with your sobriety. Once you know that you are dealing with depression, anxiety, or PTSD, your counselor can then help you to learn behavior management techniques that can help you feel better without relying on alcohol or drugs to get you through your days.
For more information, contact a local company like Lehigh Valley Counselors.
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