Went through a security clearance years ago (in the UK). Explained to another candidate also about to go through the process that we would be asked questions about our sex lives, etc. and had to be honest. They were horrified.
I suspect it was the horrified nature of having to discuss it that ruled them out (they failed), not the fact that they - I inferred through gentle questioning - had experimented a little with a same-sex relationship whilst at University.
If you're OK with your family finding out or it going in the local paper, you can't be blackmailed over it. You're probably fine.
If you are terrified by the thought of whatever it is - even if it's legal - becoming knowledge of those you care about, and even more so those you don't care about, that's likely a problem.
Within security services and law enforcement, hanging around with criminals - which is what drug dealers in most places are - will rule you out for obvious reasons.
Even in places where drugs (weed increasingly, booze almost everywhere in Europe and North America), being a heavy and habitual user of substances is going to raise an eyebrow and prompt a discussion, at least.
I suspect it was the horrified nature of having to discuss it that ruled them out (they failed), not the fact that they - I inferred through gentle questioning - had experimented a little with a same-sex relationship whilst at University.
If you're OK with your family finding out or it going in the local paper, you can't be blackmailed over it. You're probably fine.
If you are terrified by the thought of whatever it is - even if it's legal - becoming knowledge of those you care about, and even more so those you don't care about, that's likely a problem.
Within security services and law enforcement, hanging around with criminals - which is what drug dealers in most places are - will rule you out for obvious reasons.
Even in places where drugs (weed increasingly, booze almost everywhere in Europe and North America), being a heavy and habitual user of substances is going to raise an eyebrow and prompt a discussion, at least.