Prior Drug Use in Military?

Question

Even if you weren't convicted, if you admit to using drugs say two years in the past are you automatically disqualified from the military? If not, are there any negative consequences as a result of admitting to it?

Either way, I'm not going to lie.

Full Story:
I've been working on my weight since that's been a big reason why I've not joined. Now that I have that off, I was wanting to go to the recruiter, but then I read every in-depth disqualification and it said, "drug usage" and did not specifically mention if it required convinction which is why I asked. One other thing... It mentioned suicide "attempt" and I was hospitalized for suicidal "thoughts". The doctors there concluded they were possibly induced by the depression medication I was taking at the time. *If you've ever watched those depression medication commercials it even says to discontinue use if suicidal thoughts increase.* Either way, both the drug use and suicidal thoughts were a result of depression. I feel as if everyone goes through depression sometime in their life. It just sucks it happens to younger crowd and it feels like a smack in the face to say I'm better, then have it haunt me by disqualifying me from the military when I'd like to join.

Answer 1

No, saying that you have tried drugs does not automatically disqualify you. They are going to drug test you to make sure you are clean now. They will also run checks on your court / police records, and if nothing shows up on those, you *should* be good to go. If anything shows up, you will require a waiver, which sometimes takes some time.

However.

My honest advice would be - keep your mouth shut. Honestly. If you are not doing drugs now, and have nothing on paper, in your records that says you've ever done any kind of drugs, why would you sit there and TELL them, risking that you *may* need a waiver, which *may* get denied, depending on what mood the approving authorities are in (and trust me, a lot seems to depend on their moods. Heck, I've seen people kicked off the floor at MEPS for "having a build-up of ear wax".)

You are not lying if you don't bring up the subject.

Answer 2

First, congratulations on being honest.
Talk to them. Im sure they will respect you for not hiding it.

I do not know if it will disqualify you, I sure hope it doesn't.

Post in a few weeks when you find out. I see this question raised often and maybe you could enlighten all of us.

Best wishes and good luck.