Information for Commander/Supervisors
The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment (ADAPT) promotes readiness and health and wellness through the prevention and treatment of substance abuse; to minimize the negative consequences of substance abuse to the individual, family, and organization; to provide comprehensive education and treatment to individuals who experience problems attributed to substance abuse; return identified substance abusers to unrestricted duty status or to assist them in their transition to civilian life, as appropriate. Individuals requesting assistance or referred to the program receive a substance use evaluation. Based upon this evaluation, patients are classified into one of the categories below, and then receive the appropriate level of education or treatment. The goals of the program are to improve health and future behavior of patients for their own personal success as well as for their performance in the Air Force.
Different types of Referrals:
Self Identification
Medical Referral
Command Referral
Services Provided:
Outreach/Educational Briefings upon request
Alcohol Brief Counseling (ABC)
individually tailored to the member’s educational needs and promotes individual responsibility.
Treatment/Educational Services
Group Sessions
Individual Sessions
Referrals to intensive outpatient and inpatient facilities
What is responsible drinking?
Many people ask what is responsible drinking and here it is:
The National Institute of Health defines responsible drinking as:
No more than 2 drinks per day for the average male and no more than 1 drink per day for the average female, to include at least 1-2 days of abstinence during the week.
“A drink” is defined as one of the following:
If this is responsible drinking, what about the individuals that drink more than the 2 drinks for the average and 1 for the average female? This is when the term “binge drinking” comes into play. Binge drinking is defined for men as drinking 5 or more drinks in a row at a time and for women as drinking 4 or more drinks in a row at one time. “Frequent” binge drinking is defined as binge drinking three or more times in the past two weeks.
Binge drinking is the most serious drug problem in the military. Overall, 44% of troops are classified as binge drinkers. Among men, 50% are binge drinkers, and women 39%. Two in five people drink but are not binge drinkers. One in six did not drink at all. About half the binge drinkers, or one in five troops overall, were frequent binge drinkers. For these troops, intoxication is often the main goal. Of these frequent binge drinkers, 73% of men and 68% of women cited drinking to get drunk as an important reason for drinking.
What can you do to help?
Ensure troops know local programs, such as AADD, 0-0-1-3 and Wingman Program.
Know your people - be aware of problems likely to contribute to increased alcohol use, such as family, financial, and legal problems.
Utilize ADAPT Prevention resources.
Early intervention/prevention is the key- if you have a “gut” feeling about someone drinking too much, refer them to ADAPT.
Set an example by not participating in or condoning irresponsible alcohol use.
Enforce standards by addressing unacceptable behavior.
Remember people cannot be punished simply for being referred to the ADAPT Program.
You could save someone’s career - even their life - by intervening sooner instead of later.
Guidance: AFI 44-121
Commanders, Command Chief, First Sergeants, and supervisory personnel
Actively support substance abuse and prevention program
Intervene with substance abusers
Understand referral and treatment process
Foster help-seeking behavior
Reduce stigma associated with substance abuse treatment
REMEMBER:
1 out 10 drinkers meet the medical criteria for alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence.
The other 9 out of 10 can drink without any problems.