JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
From 2006 to 2010, excessive drinking was responsible for one in 10 deaths among adults 20-64 years old in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In an attempt to spread awareness about treatment and prevention of alcoholism, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence proclaimed this year's Alcohol Awareness Month theme, "For the Health of it: Early Education on Alcoholism and Addiction."
According to U.S. Air Force Capt. [Dr.] Nancy DeLaney, 633rd Medical Operations Squadron Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program manager, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, that theme is the heart of ADAPT's ongoing prevention efforts.
"The earlier we can educate our population about the risks of Alcohol Use Disorders, the more likely we are to keep people from having a problem with alcohol," DeLaney said. "Many people think you have to be an alcoholic in the classic sense to have an alcohol problem, but that is not the case. Alcohol can be problematic for many reasons and that is what we hope to educate people about."
Continuing with the theme of prevention education, the CDC offered the following descriptions for excessive and moderate drinking.
Binge drinking, the most common form of drinking, is defined as consuming:
- For women, four or more drinks during a single occasion.
- For men, five or more drinks during a single occasion.
Heavy drinking is defined as consuming:
- For women, eight or more drinks per week.
- For men, 15 or more drinks per week.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans defines moderate drinking as no more than one drink each day for women and no more than two drinks each day for men.
However, the following persons should not consume alcohol:
- Pregnant women or those trying to become pregnant.
- Those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that may cause harmful reactions when mixed with alcohol.
- Persons younger than age 21.
- Those recovering from alcoholism or are unable to control the amount they drink.
- Those suffering from a medical condition that may be worsened by alcohol.
- When driving, planning to drive, or participating in other activities requiring skill, coordination and alertness.
Should JBLE Service members seek assistance for alcohol rehabilitation, the ADAPT program, Army Substance Abuse program and several other resources are available to support them, said DeLaney.
"While active-duty members are often hesitant to come to Mental Health, ADAPT [or ASAP] for fear of career impact, it is worth considering that the life and career impact of not addressing an alcohol problem will certainly be significant," she said. "Alcohol Use Disorders do not just impact an individual person; the disorder impacts the entire family and [military] community."
If a military member suspects they have a problem with alcohol, they can self-identify to a medical professional, including primary care managers, ADAPT/ASAP providers, mental health providers or their first sergeant or commander, DeLaney added. If Soldiers or Airmen are not ready to self-identify with one of the previous resources, a Chaplain can be a good source because they can offer full confidentiality.
While only active-duty members may receive treatment at Langley ADAPT and Fort Eustis ASAP, both teams will facilitate appropriate treatment in the community for dependents and can ensure their needs are met as they enter into recovery.
Walter Gaines, Fort Eustis Drug Demand Reduction program prevention coordinator, also plays a key role in alcoholism education and training.
"As a part of ASAP, I conduct substance and alcohol abuse training for our Soldiers," Gaines explained. "Sitting in a monthly class, learning about the effects alcohol and drugs have on military members is better than the possibility of them being admitted to the hospital for alcohol poisoning or harming someone while driving under the influence."
The effect this type of abuse has on Service members' is not limited to a potential stay at the hospital, Gaines said. In addition to medical problems, military members can face legal consequences, which may affect their career.
"There's a portion of the class we call 'What my arrest cost me,' where Soldiers share how much money they've spent on a substance abuse or alcohol-related apprehension," Gaines said. "One Soldier's DUI cost him $10,000. Folks have literally lost all that they value when they crossed that [high-risk] threshold."
With money spent on health problems and legal issues, the strain put on families can also be a factor. For that reason, families can inquire within either program about resources to assist them with getting through this difficult time.
"Recovery is an ongoing process and is not limited to whether or not the [alcohol abuse] continues. The effects of someone else's drinking are deep and may present challenges that continue throughout life." Gaines explained. "Be supportive and knowledgeable as to what services are available to assist the family member or coworker in need of care. The better the support mechanism the greater the chance for recovery."
For non-emergency assistance with alcohol and drug abuse-related concerns, call the 633rd MDG Mental Health Clinic at 764-6840 or ASAP at 878-1674.