HELP! DS-160 and drug abuse questions

[Canadiangal123 3]

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to stop and read this. Any advise given is much appreciated. I have been extremely stressed out about this and did not originally want to post about it out of fear of judgement but I am hoping that anyone who has maybe experienced something similar could share their experience.

So a couple of weeks ago when I received my Package 3 from the embassy in Montreal, I came to the cold hard reality that my past dabbling with marijuana could mess up this entire process.

I know that there are a few posts on various visa websites from different years but a lot of them have very specific circumstances so I wanted to post my questions/concerns with my own circumstances.

I have smoked weed in my past. when I was 17 I stayed in the hospital for 2 weeks because of a sort of mental breakdown because of an abusive relationship I had been in. I had smoked weed pretty regularly and when they asked me I openly told them that I had which of course was documented in my medical records. I had stopped for quite a while but then smoked for a span of a couple of months about 2 years ago and again, when I went to the doctor they asked me and I said yes because I never foresaw it being an issue - of course now I am kicking myself.
I do not use drugs and seriously never want to again because since those times I have grown up and realized the stupidity of my actions and how they're terrible for my body and mind (In my opinion... not passing judgement if people here like to toke).

So when filling out the DS-160 form there are 2 questions that are pretty concerning to me:

Are you or have you ever been a drug abuser or addict?

I was of course not going to lie about this so I was going to enter YES and then in the little explanation box write "I DO NOT USE DRUGS AND AM NOT A DRUG ADDICT BUT REGRETFULLY I HAVE SMOKED MARIJUANA IN THE PAST. IT WAS A LONG TIME AGO AND I AM WILLING TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO PROVE THAT THIS IS NOT AND WILL NOT BE AN ISSUE." or something along those lines.

Have you ever violated, or engaged in a conspiracy to violate, any law relating to controlled substances?

Here also I will have to say yes since obviously in taking part in the act of smoking weed, you have to be violating a law relating to controlled substances... My question is, If they see this am I doomed? Is there hope to bounce back from this?

It would be a blessing to me if I got a 1 year ban and not a flat out denial but I wonder if there would even be a slim chance that they could be lenient and not ban at all?

I know this is a loaded question so even if you have some thoughts about it but not actual answers, I would like to read them nonetheless.
I am extremely nervous of having this shot down instantly because of answering yes.

Thank you so much

Jamie & Charlie

[A'n'L 735]

Your drug history will be dealt with at your medical. Answer only briefly on the ds160. Bring as much documentation of your incidents as possible. Since you also have a history of mental health issues, you will also need to bring a letter from your doctor stating that you are not a treath to yourself or others.

You may well be looking at a 1 year ban with repeated drug tests during that year. It'sthe doctor's responsibility to advice the consulate on this matter.

[Canadiangal123 3]

Your drug history will be dealt with at your medical. Answer only briefly on the ds160. Bring as much documentation of your incidents as possible. Since you also have a history of mental health issues, you will also need to bring a letter from your doctor stating that you are not a treath to yourself or others.

You may well be looking at a 1 year ban with repeated drug tests during that year. It'sthe doctor's responsibility to advice the consulate on this matter.

Thank you again. You've really helped me a lot tonight

Would you say the answer I was going to put for the first question is brief or should be shorter?

Hopefully the letter saying I'm not a threat to myself or others will be good enough because I did not attend any addiction counselling. I can have the doctor give me copies of the couple of times it was documented in my medical records but I don't know if that would be good or bad for my case since there's nothing afterwards saying "Patient has since stopped" or anything like that.

[WandY 430]

1. The labels "drug abuser" and "addict" are subjective. Don't feel compelled to label yourself.

2. You don't have a mental illness (at least, not based on being hospitalized for "sort of a mental breakdown." Again, don't label yourself. Nobody's business.

3. You don't have a criminal record. That would be discoverable. Consider your past as...well, past.

Some things shouldn't be asked. And some things shouldn't be answered.

Good luck.

[A'n'L 735]

I would say skip the elaboration, maybe just state the dates to show it was many years ago.

The letter will get you off the hook for the mental health issues, but not the drug abuse. That will be dealt with separately. Sorry for being unclear.

Bring as much documentation as possible. The doctor's job will be easier if you are forthcoming.

[A'n'L 735]

1. The labels "drug abuser" and "addict" are subjective. Don't feel compelled to label yourself.

2. You don't have a mental illness (at least, not based on being hospitalized for "sort of a mental breakdown." Again, don't label yourself. Nobody's business.

3. You don't have a criminal record. That would be discoverable. Consider your past as...well, past.

Some things shouldn't be asked. And some things shouldn't be answered.

Good luck.

These things ARE asked, and they must be answered honestly. Luckily, the OP realises that.

Nobody is saying he is an addict or has a mental illness. The past incidents are still of interest to immigration however.

[asad313 18]

Smoking weed does not make you a drug abuser or addict. Either talk to a lawyer to get their opinion or take WandY's advice.

[A'n'L 735]

Smoking weed does not make you a drug abuser or addict. Either talk to a lawyer to get their opinion or take WandY's advice.

Sorry, you're wrong. Smoking weed is a US federal crime. Plenty of people on this forum gave been given one year visa bans for such actions. "Harder" drugs might've landed a lifetime ban. Drug use = drug abuse, that's just the terminology.

Lying or withholding information during visa processing is certainly not the right thing to do - and I fully support the OP's decision to be honest and let the Dr and consulate decide.

Edited August 8, 2016 by A'n'L

[asad313 18]

Sorry, you're wrong. Smoking weed is a US federal crime. Plenty of people on this forum gave been given one year visa bans for such actions. "Harder" drugs might've landed a lifetime ban. Drug use = drug abuse, that's just the terminology.

Lying or withholding information during visa processing is certainly not the right thing to do - and I fully support the OP's decision to be honest and let the Dr and consulate decide.

How does smoking weed being a federal crime relevant to this question about drug abuse? What is the legal definition of drug abuse? Are you a lawyer? Is someone who smoked weed once considered an abuser?

To the OP - I'd be more worried about this post than anything you said to a doctor. In either case, consult a lawyer since there could be major consequences depending on how you answer the questions.

[asad313 18]

Sorry, you're wrong. Smoking weed is a US federal crime. Plenty of people on this forum gave been given one year visa bans for such actions. "Harder" drugs might've landed a lifetime ban. Drug use = drug abuse, that's just the terminology.

Lying or withholding information during visa processing is certainly not the right thing to do - and I fully support the OP's decision to be honest and let the Dr and consulate decide.

How does smoking weed being a federal crime relevant to this question about drug abuse? What is the legal definition of drug abuse? Are you a lawyer? Is someone who smoked weed once considered an abuser?

To the OP - I'd be more worried about this post than anything you said to a doctor. In either case, consult a lawyer since there could be major consequences depending on how you answer the questions.

[asad313 18]

Sorry, you're wrong. Smoking weed is a US federal crime. Plenty of people on this forum gave been given one year visa bans for such actions. "Harder" drugs might've landed a lifetime ban. Drug use = drug abuse, that's just the terminology.

Lying or withholding information during visa processing is certainly not the right thing to do - and I fully support the OP's decision to be honest and let the Dr and consulate decide.

How does smoking weed being a federal crime relevant to this question about drug abuse? What is the legal definition of drug abuse? Are you a lawyer? Is someone who smoked weed once considered an abuser?

To the OP - I'd be more worried about this post than anything you said to a doctor. In either case, consult a lawyer since there could be major consequences depending on how you answer the questions.

Edited August 8, 2016 by asad313

[A'n'L 735]

How does smoking weed being a federal crime relevant to this question about drug abuse? What is the legal definition of drug abuse? Are you a lawyer? Is someone who smoked weed once considered an abuser?

To the OP - I'd be more worried about this post than anything you said to a doctor. In either case, consult a lawyer since there could be major consequences depending on how you answer the questions.

Being a crime = the US defines it as abuse. One incident of abuse is still abuse. Abuse and addiction must not be conflicted.

I have given the OP my advice and opinion. That stands.

[jaffandliz 11]

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to stop and read this. Any advise given is much appreciated. I have been extremely stressed out about this and did not originally want to post about it out of fear of judgement but I am hoping that anyone who has maybe experienced something similar could share their experience.

So a couple of weeks ago when I received my Package 3 from the embassy in Montreal, I came to the cold hard reality that my past dabbling with marijuana could mess up this entire process.

I know that there are a few posts on various visa websites from different years but a lot of them have very specific circumstances so I wanted to post my questions/concerns with my own circumstances.

I have smoked weed in my past. when I was 17 I stayed in the hospital for 2 weeks because of a sort of mental breakdown because of an abusive relationship I had been in. I had smoked weed pretty regularly and when they asked me I openly told them that I had which of course was documented in my medical records. I had stopped for quite a while but then smoked for a span of a couple of months about 2 years ago and again, when I went to the doctor they asked me and I said yes because I never foresaw it being an issue - of course now I am kicking myself.

I do not use drugs and seriously never want to again because since those times I have grown up and realized the stupidity of my actions and how they're terrible for my body and mind (In my opinion... not passing judgement if people here like to toke).

So when filling out the DS-160 form there are 2 questions that are pretty concerning to me:

Are you or have you ever been a drug abuser or addict?

I was of course not going to lie about this so I was going to enter YES and then in the little explanation box write "I DO NOT USE DRUGS AND AM NOT A DRUG ADDICT BUT REGRETFULLY I HAVE SMOKED MARIJUANA IN THE PAST. IT WAS A LONG TIME AGO AND I AM WILLING TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO PROVE THAT THIS IS NOT AND WILL NOT BE AN ISSUE." or something along those lines.

Have you ever violated, or engaged in a conspiracy to violate, any law relating to controlled substances?

Here also I will have to say yes since obviously in taking part in the act of smoking weed, you have to be violating a law relating to controlled substances... My question is, If they see this am I doomed? Is there hope to bounce back from this?

It would be a blessing to me if I got a 1 year ban and not a flat out denial but I wonder if there would even be a slim chance that they could be lenient and not ban at all?

I know this is a loaded question so even if you have some thoughts about it but not actual answers, I would like to read them nonetheless.

I am extremely nervous of having this shot down instantly because of answering yes.

Thank you so much

Jamie & Charlie

[jaffandliz 11]

Hi Guys,

I would talk to an immigration lawyer where you're from, were you convicted is it on public record ? And how long ago did you have your breakdown ? There are so many opinions on here which could freak you out. It definitely would hurt to talk to a Immigration lawyer in your case to rest your nerves.

A lot of people on here are concerned about different things -thank god for VJ to share our experiences. :-)

[Michael and Ganna 104]

We all do stupid stuff in our younger years, and hopefully have grown up enough to understand it was just a mistake. Why make the mistake now in not being truthful during immigration.