Where do you draw the line?

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sean Martin
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Have you found yourself staring at the bottom of a bottle of alcohol, wondering how you got to this point? If you can answer yes to this question, then you may have an alcohol abuse problem.

The Alcohol Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program is designed to equip Airmen with the knowledge needed to overcome alcohol or substance related problems.

The primary objectives of the program are to promote readiness, health and wellness through the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and minimize the negative consequences of substance abuse to the individual, family and organization. Also, to provide comprehensive education and treatment to individuals who experience problems attributed to substance abuse and return identified substance abusers to unrestricted duty status or to assist them in their transition to civilian life.

The program educates Airmen on ways to handle their drinking and also cope with things going on in their lives.

"The main thing that we provide is education on the effects of alcohol, ways to drink in moderation and coping skills such as relaxation training and anger management," said Capt. Michael Glotfelter, 2nd Medical Operations Squadron ADAPT program manager. "Most people who are abusing alcohol likely have things going on in their lives that cause them to do so. We want to identify those things and teach the person how to handle their issues in a positive way."

ADAPT focuses on the effects alcohol, and other substances, have on the body and what the long term affects may be, ways to recognize and handle them properly. The program's focus is not just treatment, but the prevention of substance abuse.

"Alcohol abuse can affect many areas of a person's life," said Glotfelter. "Signs they may have a problem would be when their family says their drinking is a problem, when it impacts their work and social relationships, if they have tried to cut back but have failed or have gotten into trouble with the law due to drinking such as drinking and driving. If any of these things develop a pattern, then it is considered alcohol abuse."

ADAPT also offers aftercare groups to patients who have completed their treatment. These groups are used to allow Airmen to interact and be around others who may be in the same position as themselves.

"These aftercare groups are designed to make things easier for patients because each person is at a different place or time in their recovery, and they get the chance to talk about their problem and experiences," said Airman 1st Class Cassandra Daniels, 2nd MDOS mental health ADAPT technician. "This group allows people to develop a support system and learn certain things from each other. They learn with hard work, they will one day be able to overcome this, and they see there can be a positive result."

Having a strong support group is something Senior Airman Charles Turner, 2nd Maintenance Squadron electric warfare systems journeyman, understands and uses to help cope with things in his life.

"It's a comforting feeling knowing you have this support system behind you," said Turner. "My commander was there with me for every ADAPT treatment team meeting, and it's one thing for your command to say they care, but it has a more lasting affect when they actually show you."

Although ADAPT personnel are here for any Airmen interested in seeking help, it is up to the Airmen to determine how their treatment will go.

"Honesty is very important here because it allows us to determine what is really going on with a patient and what level of care is appropriate for them," said Glotfelter. "If they just give us the canned answers they put on their Personal Health Assessment, they may not get the proper care needed."

Glotfelter says what you put in at ADAPT is what you get out of ADAPT.

For more information on the ADAPT program, contact Mental Health at 456-6600.