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Alcohol Awareness Month

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joshua Chapman
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. - --  Arguably, most people from all races, genders and cultures will face at least one extremely stressful situation in their entire life; most of those people will face several.

While a large portion of people are fortunate to have stable support networks to fall back on, or are aware of proper ways of dealing with emotional grief, there are others that choose very dangerous, less appropriate ways of dealing with their pain. But there is another option.

The Air Force Alcohol & Drug Abuse Program at Fairchild is available for members and dependents that have a potential or actual substance abuse problem.

Members have the option to self-enroll in the program at anytime. The benefit of self identification is twofold: the member's actions will increase his or her opportunity for success inside and outside of his career in the Air Force, and the member's will be looked upon favorably by his commander.

Staff Sgt. Lisa Milan St Blanc, non-commissioned officer in charge of ADAPT said, "the Air Force encourages personnel to address their issues to enhance the members quality of life, thus enhancing the effectiveness of our mission."

For those that choose to ignore their alcohol or drug issues, there is another gateway into the program, however.

Inevitably, people with mild to serious issues with alcohol or drugs end up doing something to damage their lives or someone else's. If a member finds himself in opposition with the law, his unit commander has the obligation to enroll him into the ADAPT program.

"Unfortunately," said Sergeant Milan St Blanc, "people who are directed through their command aren't offered immunity, and instead are subject to disciplinary action as a result of their abuse."

While some individuals do take the positive step to seek help within the ADAPT program, most are directed to do so by their commands. No matter what way an individual enters the program, though, odds of continued poor behavior are lower, and the likelihood of recovery at Fairchild is likely.

The purpose of the ADAPT program is to help Air Force members and their dependents learn healthier ways to cope with stress in and out of the work place. If you believe that you may have a drinking or drug problem, you are encouraged to stop by the ADAPT office and get screened for possible abuse problems. For more information about the ADAPT program call 247-2731.