I know of many people personally that do this. I was in aviation. The HIMS program was specifically developed to address people with substance abuse issues BUT you can only go so far before the union doesn't know you. It's basically anything up to passing the gate intoxicated though.

I think that it's an absolute failing that the FAA- and not just the FAA, forces these crew members into this situation. An uncontrolled medication is inherently more dangerous than a controlled one. What are you going to do though? Aviation people are IME not hirable- at bare minimum not sought after- in other industries at least not near what they were making, so what options do you actually have? You lose your license and you go from flying to Munich to welcoming people to Walmart.

It's an extraordinarily fucked up system that doesn't appreciate the human. I was a human factors major and specialist before I got yeeted by the pandemic. I've been through this and I had a lot to give still, but I need a damn job. I guess the airlines can figure it out themselves.