My nephew I think is a bipolar I am positive he is and he admits that he is but doesn’t want to go to the doc because if he is a bipolar he can not join the armed forces is that true?
Second question if he is a bi polar and takes meds he got from mexico does seroquel show up on the military drug test?
thanks he needs to do something with his life.
A person I know just got sent back from the army for this exact reason, he disclosed it as he was getting processed initially.
I shot off an email to a guy who does recruiting up by the gym where I work out. It’s a marines recruiting office. He says there is no way anyone taking medication for bi-polar would be accepted into the military. Well ALMOST.
He says that people who are in demand with degrees that has a high demand. He said, for instance a person with fluent ability to speak Arabic or Farsi or would be a physican that could serve in a non combat reaserach positon MIGHT be considered.
He says that armed forces are responsible for the health of their soliders and they can be put anywhere and not all places all over the world would have access to treatment should the need arise.
I would also guess mental illnesses could be a drain on medical benefits as well.
This guy recruits for marines but I assume it would be the same for other branches.
does the military test for bipolar medicines say his mom got them for him through her insurance?
oh and thanks for the response so far.
I’ll shoot him another email but it’s after five so he’s likely gone. I’ll let you know when he replies
What would possibly make you think that putting an individual with a chronic mental health problem in an authoritarian, inflexible, bureaucratic organization often working under high stress and being depended upon by other people in life-or-death situations is any kind of a good idea? The military is a great place for some people to find order and discipline within a regimented and organized lifestyle. It is really not a good fit for someone with an inherent emotional instability or deep-seated psychological problems.
Stranger
If he were to join the military, starting at basic there are going to be sergeants up his ass every moment for a long time.
There’s no way he’s going to be able to keep a secret stash of prescription medications. And if he goes off them, he’s going to have problems with his disease.
There’s no way he can keep this under wraps.
if he is working hard enough and follows other people’s instructions rather than taking a lot of initiative, the “low” periods of bipolar might be less noticeable. Stress is good for concentration as well 
Could he consider the merchant marines?
Did he get the meds from Mexico or through mom’s insurance?
If he’s not under a doctor’s care, how is he getting medicine from insurance?
I think the ‘something’ your nephew needs to do is a lot more than join the military.
He shouldn’t even think about concealing a potentially serious medical condition in order to join up.
It might be even harder if he tries to conceal his condition and busts out with a less than honorable discharge.
I’m not sure what the entrance requirements are to become an officer, but to be a seaman, he should not have any problem. There is a basic physical, (with a vision test for color for grades that can stand watch), but I could not see medication being an issue. (Whether someone with psych issues would really want to be cooped up on a ship with a bunch of other (undiagnosed) raving lunatics is a separate issue.)
He shouldn’t have a boring induction like everybody else has. I mean, it is depressing enough that somebody is leaving for war, then people go and wear flags and have boring marching music too.
So unless he is joining a really disfigured service (like the coast guard), he should have the recruiter dudes to put him in a cool looking suit and put a big like smile on his face. Then he should have them too arrange his hand like a gun so when people lean over and look he’ll be saying “Gotcha Ya”.
what about depression/anexity meds
Technically, no. You have to be “free and clear” mentally and physically in order to join the military. However, the recruiter, who will process your paperwork can push this issue in any direction he/she wants. Some care, some don’t.
No, the drug tests that they check for are of two types: illicit drugs and illicit drugs + steroids. In order to test for Seroquel or any other type of medicine would involve much more detailed analysis. They only do a urinalysis.
That’s fine and dandy but he needs to sort the bipolar issue first. Being in the military is not a job its a way of life. A society that has existed as long as this country has. It has its parallels but its still way different. I know as I was in for eight years. If he is bipolar and taking Seroquel you really need to look at this: bipolar or schizophrenic? This is a serious red flag and I am wondering why Seroquel? Who diagnosed him? Did he just decide to take this drug on his own? I am not saying that a structured life may not help him but if he is dangerous to himself or others the military is not a way to go. He will have access to weaponry.
Any ways, the whole medical community is so fragmented that even if he were to see a doctor the chance of them knowing that he saw a particular doctor is so remote he should not worry about it. But, this “issue” needs to be resolved to determine what and why is causing his condition. That last thing you want is to know that your nephew shot someone because you thought he needed to do something.
This is a dangerous game and the although the risk may seem low the consequences are very high. Very high.
OK I got a reply form the guy I know who recruits for the Marines.
He said, the Marines have a standard drug test that tests for 20 different types of drugs. Here’s the thing, not everyone is tested for every drug. It’s too expensive. A select few are tested for all 20.
Once in the marines, 10% of the unit is tested per month. Everyone must be tested at least once per year. Again they are given the standard marine test and a select few will be tested for all 20 but most will be tested for just some.
He states the unit commander can order a drug at any time he sees fit. Here’s the kicker he can also order a drug test for ANY DRUG he sees fit. It can be prescription or not prescription or even things like spices and herbs. Evidently a bunch of marines are somehow getting high on things like this that are sold as essences. And while they couldn’t be disiplined for drug usage for that, there are other ways, such as conduct not up to marine standards (or something like that)
He said, any attempt to hide a medical condition will be found out. The marines employ the best physicians who have years and years of experience in finding out hidden conditons. If anyone should slip by, and was diagonosed an investigation would be made to past medical history. And indication that the marine lied would result at best in a general discharge and a possible dishonorable discharge, neither which would afford any benefits to the discharged marine.
He says, as another poster said, due to the lack of privacy in the marines, any attempt to take medication and conceal that fact would be impossible.
I like the part at the end, he says, in typical recruiter fashion, “I do encourage all people to apply for positions in the armed forces of the United States, just be upfront and honest and let the recruiter decide whether or not the medical condition you have will allow you or disallow you from joining up.”
[Note: The above refers to the US Marines, I don’t know if it’s the same for other forces]
Based on information I got from one of the Dopers who used to be a recruiter, if he managed to get in with an undisclosed and known illness, there would be a sonic boom when he got found out and kicked out as fast as they could process the paperwork.
Aren’t there “personality tests” that new recruits would have to take? I imagine that might weed out his condition.
Maybe he should just be upfront with the condition.
Seroquel is one of the most popular drugs to treat bipolars today. It can treat sckizopherenics too but it is mainly used for bipolars(from my understanding)
Like I said I just want the kid to do something with his life. He wants to be a navy seal really bad and has the physical condition to get in. I think that is too much for him with the bipolar condition. But something like the coast guard I think would be better for him. He does like to fight though and very good at it.
thank you very much for you help. I will pass along this info. I think he should be upfront with the recruiter. Bipolars aren’t crazy people when they take their meds.