Army Substance Abuse Programs

When it comes to a soldier who falls prey to substance abuse, many people assume that he or she will be kicked out instantly, but oftentimes this is not the case. Many army bases will offer an army substance abuse program for those who are otherwise still healthy enough to serve. These programs have a standard process that they follow in the event that a soldier falls into substance abuse.

The Initial Admission

Many times, those in the army who suffer from substance abuse will voluntarily seek treatment on their own due to severe problems that may have arisen from it but often they are too afraid to come forward for fear that they will be sent home.

Most army bases are required conduct a random urinalysis test to discover who is using substances and if it tests positive, they will be referred for further assessment. Refusal to take these tests will be a sign of failure to abide to a lawful order and result in disciplinary action.

For more information on drug addiction treatment please call 800-487-1890 (Who Answers?) .

The Interventional Services

A soldier suspected of substance abuse will be assessed prior to receiving treatment.

Anyone who tests positive for these tests will be given intervention services in various ways and according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration , early intervention can help those suffering from substance abuse avoid tragic results such as:

• injury
• poverty
• suicide
• overdose

Assessment and treatment services are offered to those who wish to seek help with their substance abuse but if not then a health care provider will have to refer them for assessment, including commanding officers.

Service members can also be referred for assessment if they are suspected of substance abuse following a drug-related incident including but not limited to driving while intoxicated, disorderly conduct, or underage drinking.

Assessment of Substance Abuse

An assessment is an investigation into the extent and nature of the substance abuse or dependence and are done by highly experienced professionals. This assessment will include a comprehensive bio-psychosocial and look into substance abuse history, Once this stage is complete, the professional will provide a diagnosis and recommendation for the actions to follow, which can range from:

• no further action
• outpatient therapy
• intensive treatment
• inpatient care with possible physical withdrawal methods required

Common Mental Health Issues that Co-occur with Substance Abuse

Confidentiality for Patients

A confidentiality clause can vary depending on the situation and the way through which the service member comes to seek treatment. For those who voluntarily seek treatment, confidentiality is included in the process and includes personal and private information regarding mental health or counseling sessions with a substance abuse counselor. Exceptions to this include:

• suspected child abuse
• suicidal or homicidal thoughts
• a subpoena from court orders
• a commander who may need to know about it

For those who are ordered to seek treatment, command has a right to know the progress and outcome of treatment on a need to know basis, so it is not likely that the treatment as a while will be confidential.

Options for Counseling

Like other treatment facilities, most army substance abuse program facilities offer different types of counseling based on branch and types of treatment. Many programs incorporate behavioral therapies to help their patients to become sober so they can be strong and healthy.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, behavioral therapies teach patients to modify their behaviors toward drug abuse in order to learn how to live without it and how to avoid the triggers that can cause a relapse, which will help them to maintain their recovery.

Army substance abuse programs do exist and can vary depending on the person and the situation. Programs will conduct a random, required urinary test to check for substance abuse and if it comes out positive, the individual undergo intervention.

In most cases, he or she will be submitted for assessment and depending on voluntary or involuntary action, he or she will or will not be able to keep their treatment confidential. There are plenty of counseling options available to the service members, so it is important for them to seek treatment as soon as possible so they can return to being in the best shape that they can be.

To find out more about substance abuse options for army personnel, call 800-487-1890 (Who Answers?) to speak with someone who can help.