How much to disclose in personal statement/secondaries about overcoming adversity?

[tolb.nretsae]

I am a person in recovery who is applying to MSTPs in 2022. I got sober from heroin and cocaine when I was 18, and I will be 4.5 y sober when submit AMCAS. A large portion of my life is spent in recovery-related activities. I do tons of service related to sobriety, i.e. speak at rehabs, sponsor other men (even a doctor!), arrange service opportunities for others etc. I am also a member of a collegiate recovery program at my university. Many of my experiences provided transferrable traits & skills, like grit, maturity, determination, service-orientation, and resilience. I feel there is no way to tell my story and not incorporate my sobriety.

However, I would like to tell the story about how my recovery makes me a better MSTP candidate while also dodging stigma surrounding addiction. My plan is to always tie statements about recovery back to my motivation for science and healthcare. But, I am wondering how careful I need to be. Clearly I won't mention my overdoses or near death experiences, but rather talk about it in a general way that is always relevant to MSTP candidacy.

Does anyone have experience with writing similar stories? How were these received in interviews? Did you ever suspect judgement/stigma?

For context, I have demonstrated my ability to perform after being a high school drop out: 4.0 GPA (rising junior, 80 credits), 1.5 y research and presently in a lab until graduation, and I took a free MCAT on a whim as sophomore and managed a 510, and I have the backing of a foundation who funds undergrads in recovery (i.e. a foundation believes in my sobriety lol).

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[penguinsfan71]

I honestly wouldn't make any mention of former substance abuse on your application. I could maybe see it being alright if this was something that happened 15 years ago, but only 4 years ago will probably make a lot of adcoms nervous.

 

[KnightDoc]

I honestly wouldn't make any mention of former substance abuse on your application. I could maybe see it being alright if this was something that happened 15 years ago, but only 4 years ago will probably make a lot of adcoms nervous.

Aren't all the ECs going to give it away anyway?

 

[GreenDuck12]

I would see if you can get feedback from some adcoms or facultad members on here. As you know, medical admissions is challenging enough with schools having a plethora of highly qualified applicants to choose from. MSTP are even more so. I’m not sure if an adcom would view your story favorably, as a story about reinvention, or as a matter for concern, that it may arise again. For this reason, I would recommend holding out for adcom or faculty input.

 

[tolb.nretsae]

Thank y'all for your input. @GreenDuck12 should I post this somewhere specific (e.g. a different thread) to solicit responses from those types of individuals?

 

[penguinsfan71]

Aren't all the ECs going to give it away anyway?

That's true. I'm really not sure what the best way to approach this is, I've just seen adcoms on here saying the topic should be avoided. I'm sure they'll have better advice than me.

 

[penguinsfan71]

Thank y'all for your input. @GreenDuck12 should I post this somewhere specific (e.g. a different thread) to solicit responses from those types of individuals?

I think this is a good place for the thread. We can tag them to get them to hopefully take a look.

@Goro @gyngyn @LizzyM @gonnif

 

[Goro]

I am a person in recovery who is applying to MSTPs in 2022. I got sober from heroin and cocaine when I was 18, and I will be 4.5 y sober when submit AMCAS. A large portion of my life is spent in recovery-related activities. I do tons of service related to sobriety, i.e. speak at rehabs, sponsor other men (even a doctor!), arrange service opportunities for others etc. I am also a member of a collegiate recovery program at my university. Many of my experiences provided transferrable traits & skills, like grit, maturity, determination, service-orientation, and resilience. I feel there is no way to tell my story and not incorporate my sobriety.

However, I would like to tell the story about how my recovery makes me a better MSTP candidate while also dodging stigma surrounding addiction. My plan is to always tie statements about recovery back to my motivation for science and healthcare. But, I am wondering how careful I need to be. Clearly I won't mention my overdoses or near death experiences, but rather talk about it in a general way that is always relevant to MSTP candidacy.

Does anyone have experience with writing similar stories? How were these received in interviews? Did you ever suspect judgement/stigma?

For context, I have demonstrated my ability to perform after being a high school drop out: 4.0 GPA (rising junior, 80 credits), 1.5 y research and presently in a lab until graduation, and I took a free MCAT on a whim as sophomore and managed a 510, and I have the backing of a foundation who funds undergrads in recovery (i.e. a foundation believes in my sobriety lol).

I can't recommend discussing your drug addiction, other than saying you had a substance abuse issue. Whenever I read posts like yours above, I involuntarily deep a deep sharp intake of air. So, put some spin on it and wait for the real discussion to occur in interviews.

We need the Big Guns out on this one!
@gonnif
@Angus Avagadro
@gyngyn @Moko
@Med Ed
@LizzyM
@lord999
@Mr.Smile12
@LunaOri
@Faha
@Maimonides1
@Doctor-S

 

[lord999]

Yes, there is a stigma, and in certain departments, your application would be unacceptable. I would personally harbor such a judgment if you applied into certain areas of Neuropharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry, or Pathology that had Schedule chemical access (especially Schedule I for research purposes in laboratory animals). Anyone with any issues with substance abuse is someone I would always oppose Schedule I or List I chemical access on grounds that it would be unjustifiable to DoJ or NIH on the matter. It's not personal, but it's avoidably poor judgment on our part if we gave keys to someone with a personal history of such even with recovered.

If you are not going to apply for a field that gives controlled substance access, then I don't see a problem on the PhD side of the MSTP. You still have the burden though to show that you can get licensed and I think if what you write is true, that should be the case.

 

[Maimonides1]

It’s almost certain to stigmatize your application.., unfortunately drug dependence is relatively high between health professionals even with intervention and diversion programs as it might raise a red flag and trigger restrictive practices as recurrences are high and especially if their is criminal or legal records that can affect your DEA registration and credentialing process too!

 

[Mad Jack]

Do you have any prior charges from your substance use? That's a huge factor, as it affects many issues with regard to licensing etc

 

[LunaOri]

Good luck, but I think your relatively short period of sobriety, coupled with the fact that you are still an undergrad, will be a problem. My personal preference would be to see such a candidate after at least a couple of gap years. And I also think that an honest essay about heroin and cocaine addiction will scare the heck out of any AdCom. You might be more successful at getting into a straight PhD program.
On the plus side, you entered sobriety at a very early age. Will your school's committee give you a good letter? Do you have great references?

 

[Angus Avagadro]

Your application will be rejected by the majority of programs, IMO. It also appears to be the opinion of the posters above. Any positive responses will be cautious and specific to the Adcoms at the program. No one wants to hire/admit a problem with so many applicants without history of addiction. I agree that your period of sobriety is short and putting time between addiction and sobriety is your best friend. Applying now is a risk, but not impossible. If you are rejected all around, then you definitely need more years of sobriety. Personally, I would apply to PhD or reasearch positions for a few years. I dont think you will be admitted to medical school right now. MD can come later with a PhD. Just my thought. Good luck and best wishes!

 

[LizzyM]

Have to agree with all of the above. Get a PhD first and then decide if you need the MD to do what you need to do in the career you want.

 

[tolb.nretsae]

Thank you all for your honest responses... prompt too! No prior charges, and no reason I have to mention it. I was exploring the idea because of a 'distanced traveled' aspect. Although it is very clear to me how my recovery prepares me for the stress, rigor, and trials throughout an MSTP, I am (especially now) aware of how others' perspectives could harm me, however misguided, uninformed, and stigmatized the field seems to be.

The hurdle is that my ECs are recovery related, and ~10% of my time is spent in recovery-related service. So, I need to present this information in a way that is divorced from the addiction stigma. I could tell my story through the lens of mental health, stay 100 miles away from the addiction side, and remove my story from a defined timeline (i.e. most of my struggles were in my early teens, and I could leave the story there). 1. This is not dishonest and 2. it provides a vehicle through which I can relay my service, growth, and 'distanced traveled'.

Is this just as stigmatized? Any other ideas of how I can account for my ECs & time spent, relay personal growth, and side step adcoms' prejudice?

 

[tolb.nretsae]

Will your school's committee give you a good letter? Do you have great references?

Yes & yes.

 

[Mad Jack]

Thank you all for your honest responses... prompt too! No prior charges, and no reason I have to mention it. I was exploring the idea because of a 'distanced traveled' aspect. Although it is very clear to me how my recovery prepares me for the stress, rigor, and trials throughout an MSTP, I am (especially now) aware of how others' perspectives could harm me, however misguided, uninformed, and stigmatized the field seems to be.

The hurdle is that my ECs are recovery related, and ~10% of my time is spent in recovery-related service. So, I need to present this information in a way that is divorced from the addiction stigma. I could tell my story through the lens of mental health, stay 100 miles away from the addiction side, and remove my story from a defined timeline (i.e. most of my struggles were in my early teens, and I could leave the story there). 1. This is not dishonest and 2. it provides a vehicle through which I can relay my service, growth, and 'distanced traveled'.

Is this just as stigmatized? Any other ideas of how I can account for my ECs & time spent, relay personal growth, and side step adcoms' prejudice?

It's gonna be tough. You could relate that things you were exposed to left you with a desire to help those with addiction but you would have to turn the eye away from yourself if they asked about things. Addiction is one of the biggest career enders out there and no one wants to set up someone to fail. Think very carefully about what to disclose and how. You can spin things positively and avoid making them about your own personal issues if done well. Just... Be careful and understand that the stigma is very, very real but that it exists for a reason with regard to placing vulnerable people in incredibly high pressure situations that could lead to life-destroying relapse

 

[Goro]

The hurdle is that my ECs are recovery related, and ~10% of my time is spent in recovery-related service. So, I need to present this information in a way that is divorced from the addiction stigma. I could tell my story through the lens of mental health, stay 100 miles away from the addiction side, and remove my story from a defined timeline (i.e. most of my struggles were in my early teens, and I could leave the story there). 1. This is not dishonest and 2. it provides a vehicle through which I can relay my service, growth, and 'distanced traveled'.

Is this just as stigmatized? Any other ideas of how I can account for my ECs & time spent, relay personal growth, and side step adcoms' prejudice?

Let's supposed that 100% of your ECs were with prison populations. Would that imply that you have had trouble with the law? Of course not. People with substance abuse issues are a vulnerable patient population , and any service with them is admirable. And uncommon as well.

 

[tolb.nretsae]

Let's supposed that 100% of your ECs were with prison populations. Would that imply that you have had trouble with the law? Of course not. People with substance abuse issues are a vulnerable patient population , and any service with them is admirable. And uncommon as well.

Brilliant. Thank you

 

[ASociety'sShade]

Regardless of how this may affect your application, congratulations on your sobriety and thank you for your service to those who also struggle with these issues.

 

[Doctor-S]

Although I commend you for being in recovery (good work) ... this type of history raises a red flag, especially given your relatively recent hx of substance addiction.

Struggles with substance abuse/addiction issues may (and can) escalate due to multiple professional, personal and situational stressors associated with the rigors of MSTP. MSTPs will be disinterested in admitting a candidate with a hx of impairment related to drug addiction.

Plus, the aspiring MSTP candidate will be viewed as having the "potential" capacity to endanger patient health and safety if the candidate relapses and becomes an impaired doctor themself - especially given that prescription medications will be available to the candidate in the course of their training.

Those reasons should suffice for now. Just prefer to be straightforward with you so you understand the obstacles ahead of you if you choose to apply to MSTPs.

 

[Frateris92]

Hello! Congrats on your recovery. I am also in a very similar situation although I am non-traditional (28yo) so my recovery time is longer. I’m also at an impasse as my activism has been centered around harm-reduction and MAT introduction into county jail systems. I’d love to hear what you decided on and how it’s going!