Originally Posted by
nicolai
Alcoholism is a medical problem, not a moral failing.
Indeed it is. True alcoholism is the manifestation of addiction to alcohol. Which can indeed be medically treated. Suffering from this medical condition does not warrant LOL, merely a temporarily suspension of ones medical certificate.
Knowingly flying while suffering from a medically disqualifying condition however, is another thing. And that is an offense which is criminally punishable.
I've been diagnosed with pre-diabetes recently, and haven't flown since. Until I lose ~30 pounds and get my a1c levels under control, my medical certificate isn't worth the ink it was printed with. That does not mean I'm being punished; I'm (and others on the ground are) being protected from myself. Should I go out and fly, I would knowingly put others in danger. Which in turn, as it should, is a criminal offense.