Addendum: how best to proceed? Forum

[addy11]

Hi guys. Hoping that you can help me out with this. I'm a long time poster, but this is a new account for anonymity's sake.

I had two alcohol-related arrests in college a few years apart, along with a slap on the wrist for drinking in dorms. Regardless what was expunged or sealed, I will be revealing everything to every school to which I apply.

I'm here to ask the board's wisdom on revealing the following: a year after the last arrest, I voluntarily took part in a trial psychiatry program which I successfully completed, and began taking medication that has successfully curbed my propensity to drink to excess (it's not so much that I have any craving for booze, just a lack of a reflex that most people seem to have that stops them at a certain point).

The doctor who conducted the trial wrote me a letter commending my success, and I'm proud that at the age of 21 I addressed what could have become a major problem, even if my behavior up until that point wasn't exactly commendable. Would revealing this raise more of a red flag to admissions committees than just saying that I had a few arrests and giving a concise promise that this behavior (three years since the last arrest) is behind me?

What would you recommend?

[addy11]

I hate to bump, but I'm really very worried about this and don't know where else to turn.

Help, anyone?

[horrorbusiness]

I see your post and want to help, but I have no clue, so I won't give you some good-meaning but completely uninformed opinion. Have a bump.

edit: FWIW, I have a family friend attorney that's a recovered alcoholic. He's open with all his employers about his successful recovery and completion of AA. He says it's only ever come off as good/respectable for him.

[bankruptedcasino]

All law schools are looking for on the C&F portion of the application is the same thing that bar examiners are looking for: Honesty and candor.

It seems you have that in spades. I would include everything except the part about the doctor saying nice things about you. I don't doubt that it happened, but without some sort of letter of recommendation, it may come across as dubious to those who are more skeptical.

You may want to toy with the language regarding the following: "began taking medication that has successfully curbed my propensity to drink to excess."

What this sounds like to me is, hey, I got busted for underage drinking a couple of times and then this doctor gave me a magic pill which still allows me to drink a bunch of booze but now I just don't get wasted / arrested for it.

Probably best to keep it to: "Thanks to the program and my doctor, I have learned not to let alcohol control my life," or, "I don't drink at all" if that's what you do.

[thelawyler]

I actually liked the whole story and the fact that you did full disclosure, but I'm a sucker for redemption stories.

[addy11]

Guys - thanks for your advice, kindness and support.

If I could impose upon any of you (or anyone on here) to read the two options (one tells the story, the other just gives the facts), I would very much appreciate it. If you let me know I can send via PM.

Anyone with concurring or dissenting opinions is welcome to post as well. I'm hoping to make the most educated decision possible, here.

Also, as a PSA: if anyone wants to PM me for information on how to get this treatment, I am happy to provide you with information.