Help from any doctors?

[HjadeK]

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Hi,

I'm writing this seeking advice on how background checks work when trying to get into medical school, or actually obtain my license to practice. I'm asking because I'm getting discharged from the Coast Guard for having a positive urinalysis for THC. It was stupid, I know I know. I'm not a habitual user, and I do respect a healthy lifestyle, it was really just a stupid mistake, and I'm facing the reprimands by getting kicked out and losing my GI bill (the only reason I joined to have less debt getting out of med school). However, I'm not going to let this destroy my dream of becoming a doctor. I've considered going to another country to practice, if it will keep from practicing in the US. Can any doctors shed light to how the process works for background checks, and things of that nature?
Will this keep from getting into med school?

Thank you much.

 

[DrMikeP]

Depending on the state you are applying to be licensed in and the hospital you are attempting to get credentialed they do a background check (I don't know of any that don't but I will stop short of saying all). Even places that don't do background checks ask about such things on the apps and lying once can follow you forever and even worse because they will find out. I know the hospitals I am credentialed at would not credential you (not because of the THC unless you tested positive on their drug test) because of the dishonorable discharge. They take a very dim view of anyone kicked out of the military, especially for drugs because you'll have access to such and have a history of not being trustworthy. Right or wrong that is the way it is.

I know of guys in the navy with a positive THC urine screen and they were punished severely but not kicked out for first offense. Not sure about the coast guard being so strict or is it that it's on top of further issues? See if there is any way possible to avoid getting kicked out!! Perhaps some vets here might help to suggest if there is ANY way possible to avoid a dishonorable discharge???

As far as med school, you MUST be honest and hope that one somewhere will accept someone that was willing to throw his entire future away to get stoned only once. That shows extremely poor judgment. If I had a dollar for every time I've heard someone say they only did it once I'd be rich. If you are honest and can shown in your PS how you've grown from the experience you might have a snowballs chance. I often suggest going into the military as a way of proving that you've grown and overcame past mistakes, but can't do that for you. If you have the stats, apply and see what happens. If you don't then spend the next few years remaking yourself and making perfect grades and strong MCAT, LORs, shadowing, etc and see if someone will believe you've grown wiser. Oh and stay off and away from the weed, a further misdemeanor would seal the coffin.

If you can't get into a US school you could always apply to med school in Cuba, they take one or two students from the US and then you could practice there or Venezuela.

Good Luck

 

[QofQuimica]

Yeah, I was going, if they will kick you out of the CG for smoking a little pot, how is it that they don't dishonorably discharge like half of their servicemen? I don't even work for the military, and I've seen rampant drug use among the enlisted folks I've cared for. Not to mention the STDs. 😳

OP, if you are a TX resident, I suggest you start by contacting the medical board in TX. Explain your situation, and ask them whether this would prevent you from being licensed in your home state. Hopefully you weren't doing anything really stupid like selling drugs where you'd have a felony record....

Second, as Mike said, the way you bounce back from this kind of setback is to own it and take full and complete responsibility for your poor decision. Never lie about it, ever. I'm not saying you should go out of your way to advertise it to people who don't ask, but don't even give the appearance of trying to hide anything when the subject comes up. And when you do discuss it, you say exactly what you said here: that you know you made a stupid decision.

Third, find out whether your state has an impaired physicians board, and if so, whether you would either be required or given the option to register with it. Basically what they do is provide oversight for physicians with prior substance abuse problems. If it's optional, you'll have to weigh the pros and cons, but being registered may help mitigate future employers' concerns about you having a drug record.

Finally, you need to make a commitment that your days of fooling around with drugs are behind you. This is not a game, and you are not a child. As Mike alluded to, you will have access to some powerful controlled substances once you're a physician. In some specialties, like anesthesia, it is not totally uncommon for addicted physicians to accidentally overdose and kill themselves. If you aren't 100% sure that you can walk away from all drugs for the rest of your life, then you need to seriously rethink your career choice.

 

[DrSecondCareer]

It's not just the med school background check you'd have to pass; it's also every hospital you would have to get credentialed at (this includes for residency) and when you have to apply for a controlled substance license to prescribe medications. Being officially discharged from the military for a drug offense is a HUGE red flag. Not only does it reflect poor judgment, but it also puts you at significantly higher risk of drug use at times of stress, which you would see plenty in medicine. It'd also be a liability for you if you were ever sued for malpractice. If I were on the admissions committee with plenty of other qualified applicants to choose from, I would certainly pick someone who doesn't have this in their record. I hate to be harsh but that's the reality.

As for going to another country to train and practice, that's of course your decision, if you're okay with the idea of living permanently abroad and never being able to work as a physician in the US.