Professional Treatment for Pilots and Flight Attendants
The challenges, stress and daily pressure faced by pilots and flight attendants along with time changes, changes in the body’s biological clock, lack of sleep, mandatory overtime and being away from loved ones can lead to substance use disorders, or make it near impossible to cope with a mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, PTSD,
At Casa Palmera in Del Mar, our team of dedicated professionals are committed to your treatment and success, and the process of helping you process and move forward to get you back to your career. We want you to return to flying with confidence and serenity to face whatever challenges you may encounter in life.
The HIMS Program at Casa Palmera Del Mar
The HIMS program (Human Intervention Motivation Study) was established in the 1970s to provide a system whereby affected flight professionals are treated and successfully returned to the cockpit under the FAA Special Issuance Regulations (14 CFR 67.401). Prior to this, self-reporting was not as frequent as professionals feared loss of job. Today, most pilots who receive treatment successfully return to duty.
The HIMS program for pilots includes the involvement of company representatives, pilot peer volunteers, healthcare professionals and FAA medical specialists. The program borrows heavily from treatment principles developed in both clinical and industrial settings and has specific elements that reflect the safety-sensitive airline transportation system.
The HIMS Program includes the following components:
- Evaluation
- Comprehensive testing
- HIMS trained psychiatrists and psychologists
- On-site cognition screening available
- Comprehensive HIMS preparation prior to discharge
- HIMS compliant recommendations for discharge and aftercare
Our treatment philosophy at Casa Palmera is grounded in the 12-step program of AA/NA enhanced by a host of holistic techniques designed to complement the core program. We work closely with the respective EAPs, HIMS reps, AMEs or supporting professionals for all pilots who admit to treatment. Through this program, we also treat others working in the transportation field who may need support, such as those working in the railroad industry.
Levels of Care
Casa Palmera offers a full continuum of care to include residential treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP) and weekly continuing care. The continuing care group accepts pilots treated at other facilities and returned to the San Diego area upon discharge, as well as those who have discharged from Casa Palmera.
