Can you join the military with antidepressants?
In other cases, however, you are likely to be rejected from service based on your medical history. To be straightforward: if you are currently on antidepressants or currently managing depression, you will be rejected by the U.S. Military. You can't take these medications while serving, either.
If you have taken anxiety medication for longer than 12 months total and/or have taken medication any time in the last 36 months, then you are disqualified from joining the U.S. military.
- Any disorder or history of disorders with psychotic features.
- History of impulse control and conduct disorders.
- History of depression requiring medication, outpatient treatment or hospitalization.
- History of anxiety requiring medication, outpatient treatment or hospitalization.
“Antidepressants are an automatic disqualification for enlistment in any branch.” -This is all I am told by several people I have spoken to.
Mental Health and Enlisting
Psychotic disorders are one disqualifier. Neurotic, anxiety, mood, somatoform, dissociative, or factitious disorders that required inpatient treatment, six-plus months of outpatient care, or symptoms that mar your ability to do the job – these can also disqualify one from service.
CII stimulants taken for ADHD/ADD, like Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall, Dexedrine, Focalin XR, Vyvanse, etc. Sedative hypnotics/amestics, when taken for more than three months for the treatment of chronic insomnia. This includes Ambien, Ambien CR, Lunesta, Sonata, ProSom, Halcion, Restoril, Dalmane, etc.
In most cases, people who have used “non-hard” drugs, such as alcohol and marijuana, will be able to enlist. However, those who have experimented with more serious “hard” drugs, such as heroin, ecstasy, and cocaine, will be disqualified.
Psychiatric Disorders
A history of depressive or anxiety symptoms may be considered for waiver if treatment has been completed and a period of convincing stability demonstrated without need for ongoing medication or psychotherapy.
Contrary to what some people think, enlisting is not simply a matter of signing papers at an eager recruiter's office. Your physical and mental health will be carefully evaluated. The Army may check medical records if there are red flags about the recruit's fitness for duty.
Yes. It will only prevent you from joining the Army if you've been treated with ADD/ADHD medication within the last year, or if you display obvious signs of the condition.
Can I be drafted if I am on antidepressants?
Can I join the military if I take anti-depressants? Chances are that you will be disqualified, at least from the US Army.
Current or a history of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia, simple phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, acute reactions to stress, and posttraumatic disorder are disqualifying conditions.
Additionally, participation in active military duty is a known risk factor for developing depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health disorders.
No. Being disqualified from the US Military because of mental health issues usually requires a diagnosis of a mental health disorder from a psychiatrist. Usually individuals will be disqualified if they suffer from a disease or disorder that does not have a cure and can only be managed through medication.
Description: MEPS-HC survey participants are asked about their prescription drugs and then are asked for permission to collect more detailed information from their pharmacies. At the pharmacies, data are collected on the type, dosage, and payment for each filled prescription.
Several factors can disqualify you from joining the service. These may include your medical history, military criminal record, age, physical fitness level, and drug use. Your educational background or history of mental illness may also disqualify you from joining.
- Marijuana.
- Cocaine.
- Bath Salts.
- Methamphetamines.
- Cush.
- Prescription Drugs like Vicodin, Soma, Ritalin, and Adderall.
- Opiates like heroin & Oxycodone.
- Anxiety medication like Xanax and Valium.
Finally, the Navy also distinguishes between nonnarcotic and narcotic drugs. In the case of nonnarcotics, the Navy does not require a waiver if the use was more than one year prior to screening, but narcotics use requires a waiver if use was over one year prior. Use within the past six months is disqualifying.
During the annual Periodic Health Assessment, service members are screened for depression as well as deployment-related health concerns; primary care appointments are scheduled as needed.
Different branches have different personnel needs and may approve of your waiver. In general, the Army has the reputation of approving the most moral waivers, while the Air Force and Coast Guard approve the fewest. The Navy and the Marines fall somewhere in the middle. However, this is not always the case.
What will MEPS disqualify you for?
Disqualifications at MEPS can include illegal drug use, alcohol dependence, not meeting the height/weight requirements, having certain contagious diseases, and more. Law violations can also prevent you from enlisting, such as being convicted of a crime that prohibits you from carrying a firearm.
If you're concerned about a possible mental health condition—or if you enter the armed forces with a past or present mental health condition—know that the armed forces do not require service members to disclose mental health problems to their chain of command.
Trained healthcare personnel may determine if the Service member requires further evaluation or health education and contact the Service member. The MHAs consist of a two-stage self-report assessment using validated tools to assess alcohol use, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depressive symptoms.
5150 is the number of the section of the Welfare and Institutions Code, which allows an adult who is experiencing a mental health crisis to be involuntarily detained for a 72- hour psychiatric hospitalization when evaluated to be a danger to others, or to himself or herself, or gravely disabled.
| Height (In Inches) | Minimum Weight | Age 21 - 27 Max Weight (in lbs.) |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | 97 | 136 |
| 61 | 100 | 140 |
| 62 | 104 | 144 |
| 63 | 107 | 149 |
References
- https://www.additudemag.com/can-you-join-the-military-with-adhd/
- https://www.quora.com/Can-I-become-an-FBI-Special-Agent-if-I-have-ADHD-and-take-amphetamines-prescribed-to-me-It-merely-helps-me-pay-attention-make-more-mature-decisions-and-be-motivated-to-get-the-work-done
- https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/11511/chapter/8
- https://healthmatch.io/asthma/can-you-join-the-military-with-asthma
- https://chadd.org/for-adults/adhd-and-the-military/
- https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/asthma/types-asthma
- https://www.militaryverification.com/what-charges-disqualify-you-from-the-military/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/army/comments/14ugejb/adhd_add_in_the_military/
- https://harrishousestl.org/military-service-and-addiction-what-you-should-know/
- https://bootcampmilitaryfitnessinstitute.com/military-training/canadian-armed-forces-caf/canadian-armed-forces-caf-recruitment-selection-overview/
- https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(20)30087-0/fulltext
- https://strongpointlaw.com/5339/5339/
- https://www.woodslawyers.com/anxiety-veterans-benefits/
- https://www.innovationhub-act.org/blog/mental-health-and-military
- https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/ffNeurodiversityAmongServiceMembers.jsp
- https://www.health.mil/Reference-Center/Congressional-Testimonies/2019/01/11/Mental-Health-Assessments-for-Members-of-the-Armed-Forces
- https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/everything-you-need-know-about-military-selective-service-system.html
- https://www.integrityinc.org/what-are-the-5-types-of-autism/
- https://www.sss.gov/register/parents/
- https://www.tam.usace.army.mil/Portals/53/docs/UDC/medical-disqualifiers.pdf
- https://usmilitary.com/military-adhd-policy-2023/
- https://www.crossrivertherapy.com/autism/can-autistic-people-have-kids
- https://www.quora.com/How-long-am-I-disqualified-from-joining-the-military-if-I-was-on-antidepressants
- https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/11511/chapter/9
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551579/
- https://www.recruiting.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3301794/smdrp-update-streamlining-and-standardizing-meps-medical-processing/
- https://www.army.mil/article/270500/military_life_is_stressful_depression_screening_brings_help
- https://www.quora.com/Can-soldiers-bring-their-own-medication-inhalers-with-them-during-basic-training-or-do-they-have-to-get-it-from-the-medical-unit-on-base
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36828568/
- https://www.lanermc.org/community/lane-health-blog/the-3-levels-of-autism-explained
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draft_evasion
- https://www.usa.gov/register-selective-service
- https://www.academyadmissions.com/requirements/medical/standards/
- https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html
- https://uscga.edu/admissions/common-disqualifying-medical-conditions/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/can-i-enlist-in-the-military-with-asthma
- https://www.sss.gov/about/return-to-draft/
- https://ieautism.org/selective-service/
- https://aafa.org/asthma/living-with-asthma/asthma-allergies-and-the-american-with-disabilities-act/
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/11/12/army-lifts-ban-recruits-history-self-mutilation-other-mental-health-issues/853131001/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/asthma-an-xray
- https://meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_stats/MEPS_topics.jsp?topicid=14Z-1
- https://www.anxiety.org/military-veterans-anxiety-resources
- https://psychcentral.com/adhd/is-adhd-a-disability
- https://www.accidentclaimsadvice.org.uk/occupational-asthma-compensation-claims/
- https://www.brainsway.com/knowledge-center/depression-in-the-military/
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-severe-autism-260044
- https://www.med.navy.mil/Navy-and-Marine-Corps-Force-Health-Protection-Command/Population-Health/Health-Promotion-and-Wellness/LGuide-Index/Med-Boards/
- https://www.autismkey.com/selective-service-and-autism-can-your-child-be-drafted/
- https://www.quora.com/Can-you-join-the-military-with-anxiety
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma/living-with/
- https://afrotc.ku.edu/eligibility-requirements
- https://www.quora.com/Can-you-get-a-non-combat-related-career-in-the-Canadian-Armed-Forces-with-a-mental-illness-such-as-psychosis-or-schizophrenia
- https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Veterans-Active-Duty
- https://amfmtreatment.com/is-adhd-a-learning-or-mental-disability/
- https://www.mclainmilitarylawyer.com/court-martial/drug-use-in-the-military
- https://www.disabilitybenefitscenter.org/disability-work/autism
- https://www.webmd.com/asthma/eosinophilic-asthma-causes
- https://www.veteransunited.com/network/military-age-restrictions-how-old-is-too-old-to-serve/
- https://www.maketheconnection.net/conditions/anxiety-disorder/
- https://lawforveterans.org/work/84-discharge-and-retirement/497-military-discharge
- https://www.verywellmind.com/what-to-know-about-joining-the-military-with-adhd-6455855
- https://www.goldenstepsaba.com/resources/does-the-good-doctor-have-autism
- https://www.quora.com/Does-seeing-a-counselor-in-the-past-disqualify-you-from-the-military
- https://www.sss.gov/faq/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/occupational-asthma/symptoms-causes/syc-20375772
- https://hcpc.uth.edu/pages/wimi/anx.htm
- https://www.bsaci.org/workforce/allergy-in-military/
- https://nlgmltf.org/military-law/2014/military-psychiatric-policies/
- https://www.quora.com/Can-an-asthma-patient-become-a-police-officer
- https://www.quora.com/Can-you-lie-about-asthma-in-the-military
- https://www.ochealthinfo.com/sites/hca/files/import/data/files/39874.pdf
- https://work.chron.com/can-still-join-army-considered-depression-27298.html
- https://www.veteranslaw.com/disability-ratings/va-rating-for-anxiety/
- https://www.goarmy.com/how-to-join/steps/processing-station.html
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6776-asthma-in-children
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22791994/
- https://www.academyadmissions.com/requirements/medical/disqualifications/
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/autism-spectrum-disorders
- https://theplaceforchildrenwithautism.com/diagnosing-autism/the-three-levels-of-autism
- https://www.additudemag.com/uncle-sam-doesnt-want-you/
- https://www.quora.com/Does-having-allergies-to-pollen-disqualify-you-from-military-service
- https://www.sss.gov/register/benefits-and-penalties/
- https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/asthma/manage/asthma-older
- https://work.chron.com/army-check-medical-records-enlisting-27696.html
- https://www.goarmy.com/how-to-join/requirements.html
- https://www.usa.gov/military-requirements
- https://www.atticus.com/advice/general/can-you-get-disability-for-asthma
- https://www.reddit.com/r/Militaryfaq/comments/161ydc2/antidepressants_are_disqualifying/
- https://www.epa.gov/asthma/do-children-outgrow-asthma
- https://www.nationalsecuritylawfirm.com/complete-guide-to-moral-conduct-waivers-in-the-army/
- https://www.nytimes.com/1863/11/15/archives/the-diseases-and-infirmities-exempting-from-the-draft.html
- https://www.caa.co.uk/aeromedical-examiners/medical-standards/pilots/conditions/mental-health/dyslexia-asperger-syndrome-and-adhd/
- https://www.verywellmind.com/mental-illnesses-serve-us-military-3973352
- https://sourcetacticalgear.com/height-and-weight-requirements-in-the-us-military/
- https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2023-03-07/military-medical-waivers-recruitment-9417905.html
