Can you elaborate more on the whole story for others who might be DQ'd?
Long story short is I took the Tier II on 11/11/15. 4/29/16 I was notified I was DQed and diagnosed I feel erroneously as "Substance Dependent" under FAA Order 3930.3B, Appendix A Section 5 Mental, d. Admitted to a time of heavy drinking directly post college (I know it was stupid, but it happened and I paid the price).
5/3/16 the FAA pulled my aviators Second Class Medical.
See FAR 67.207 (a) (4), it's nearly the same as FAA Order 3930.3B, Appendix A Section 5 Mental, d.
I met with an Aviation Psychologist shortly after being notified who set me down a path of a HIMS like program to get my aviators medical back. Stopped drinking 5/19/16, and over the next few months took a Substance Abuse Evaluation, Neurocognitive Evaluation, Psychological Evaluation (done annually), AA weekly, Counseling bi-weekly, and subjected myself to random drug and alcohol testing to be done a minimum of 14 times in 12 months. All of this was out of my own pocket. I met with a HIMS AME and eventually got my aviators medical back under Special Issuance on 11/2/17.
After two years of abstinence I could prove via UAs I submitted an appeal of my ATC medical DQ. I was going through the hiring process again from the July 2017 bid at the time. They asked for another Psychological eval, and were able to use the one required for my aviators medical. I submitted that appeal in August 2018. I sat and waited and wrote a letter to both of my Senators asking if they could help expedite the process in December 2018. About a month after the shutdown I got the notice my medical was being given "special consideration", and got my official notice in March 2019.
I took my physical just over two weeks ago, and got the notice from HR on Friday.
I think I spent about $25k all said and done for my aviators medical, which also all applied to my ATC medical. I can't drink as long as I want to hold a medical, but whatever, I can go flying again.
That's the short version, believe it or not. It takes time, money, and a lot of patience, but a Tier-II disqualification is not the end. The FAA gives you very little to no guidance, but the employees are very helpful once you make your own plan. Use people who are familiar with the FAA and their requirements, I cannot stress this enough.