ADAPT to take back control of your life

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Curt Beach
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - --  There's a fine line between being a casual drinker and having an alcohol problem that can damage your career and family life.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program offers evaluations, educational briefings, outreach activities and treatment for substance abuse and gambling.

"We don't want our Air Force family to be misusing substances which include both drugs and alcohol," said Capt. Stephen Thayer, 2nd Medical Operations Squadron ADAPT program manager. "Therefore our program provides both prevention services as well as treatment."

ADAPT's primary objectives are to promote readiness, health and wellness through the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and minimize the consequences substance abuse has on those affected, their families and their co-workers.

"We also have a Level One ADAPT program here, so if someone gets diagnosed with a substance abuse problem, we have group sessions as part of a nine-week program," said Tech. Sgt. Aaron Hurd, ADAPT NCO in-charge. "If they are outside that range, we refer them to a partial hospitalization program or an in-patient facility."

The trouble is not everyone who needs the program is using it.

"There are a lot of people out there who are having problems with alcohol who aren't aware of what's available to them," said retired Maj. Jason Strickler, 608th Air and Space Operations Center. "For example, I thought that if I ever went to Alcoholics Anonymous, I'd lose my security clearance, but that's not necessarily the case."

The program isn't about reprimanding Airmen, it's about keeping them mission-ready.

"Remember, ADAPT is not a punishment," said Hurd. "We don't hand out administrative paperwork. The fact that someone is coming to our program for help is not something that's going to get them administratively separated."

Strickler, who has gone through the program himself, urges those struggling with a substance abuse problem to have the courage to seek help as it will lift a weight off their shoulders.

"Through the help I got with ADAPT, I am much happier now with my current state of life than I ever would have been if I hadn't told anybody and continued to struggle to get by," said Strickler.

Sharing with someone close to you is the first step toward making a recovery.

"Talking with someone is a huge aspect of getting better," said Strickler. "Otherwise we let our fear take over and keep our problems in the shadows and darkness until they can't be controlled anymore, and a big incident happens, such as drunken driving. Once the big incident happens, our lives are turned upside down." 

Thayer and Hurd stress the importance of looking out for fellow Airmen and practicing the wingman concept during these times of force reduction where alcohol-related offenses could mean the end of a career.

"To somebody who has a drug or alcohol problem I would say reach out to people you care about for support, but don't hesitate to come in and refer yourself to ADAPT," said Thayer.
While Thayer acknowledges Airmen are going to continue to drink, he hopes they at least put measures in place to do so responsibly.

"I would encourage people to be conscious of the way they drink, to have a plan in place when they go out, and to have two backup plans," he said.

If you think you or a friend has a substance abuse problem, ADAPT has the personnel and resources to help you get your life back on track.