What to do if you or someone you know has a drinking problem?
What to do when you suspect substance abuse:
1. There are three ways a member can be referred to the ADAPT Program: Self ID, CC/CCF, and Medical. If the member has had some form of alcohol related incident it will not be considered a Self ID.
If, through observation and counseling, you identify a potential substance abuse problem in a member, the first step is to ensure you have it documented. The second step is to have the member contact the ADAPT Program and Self Identify. If you are a supervisor and have documentation of your concerns, you can refer an ADM to ADAPT.
2. Examples of alcohol-related incidents include, but are not limited to:
DUI/DWI
Domestic incidents where alcohol was consumed
Reporting to work hung-over
Drunk and disorderly
Underage drinking
Verbal and/or physical altercations where alcohol was consumed
If the member has had some form of alcohol related incident the best step is to work directly with your CCF and, following this communication, the CCF or supervisor (yourself) makes the referral as a CC/CCF/Supervisor referral.
3. At the initial referral the ADAPT Program has a Supervisor Questionnaire to aid in assessing the member’s duty performance as well as gather the supervisor’s overall impression of the member. The supervisor’s assessment is standard, and continued involvement in the member’s evaluation process is highly encouraged as it continues, and sometimes begins, the work-related support system for the member.
4. The ADAPT Program Evaluation and Interview is not designed to “pin down the alcohol abuser” or “label a member as an alcoholic.” As a medical program, the evaluation and interview is designed to gather a whole person concept of the member to aid in assessing whether or not a clinical substance related diagnosis is warranted.
If no diagnosis is warranted the typical recommended level of care involves a 1 day substance awareness seminar class and/or a few individual sessions with the case manager.
If a substance related diagnosis is warranted then the member is typically recommended for Outpatient services or a combination of a 28 day off-base Inpatient program with Aftercare services at the ADAPT Program. Whatever the recommended level of care the supervisor, IAW AFI 44-121 “the CC or CCF, and supervisor must be involved at program entry, termination, and any time there are significant treatment difficulties.”
5. The supervisor’s role in preventing and intervening with substance abuse, and the supervisor’s responsibilities in the treatment process, cannot be understated. The supervisor’s job is considered a major key in the member’s treatment, as well as work center support.
