ADAPT offers active-duty airmen way to recover from alcohol, drug addiction

  • Published
  • By Holly Logan-Arrington
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Some problems are more than one person can handle alone.

When an active-duty airman's issue involves drugs or alcohol, Robins Air Force Base's Alcohol Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program, located in Bldg. 700, is on hand to help.

Tech. Sgt. La' Kisha Tucker, ADAPT program noncommissioned officer in charge here, said the program provides education and prevention with the goal of deterring irresponsible alcohol use.

Tucker said ADAPT takes a proactive rather than reactive approach in dealing with drug and alcohol problems.

"For those individuals who come and don't meet diagnostic criteria, we provide ABC, which stands for Alcohol Brief Counseling that includes an alcohol education manual and a values manual change plan," she said.

Tucker said the program's focus is client-centered, putting assessment in the client's hands.  

"If someone is having difficulty controlling their consumption or their use is already at the point of interference, we provide treatment," she said. "Based on the outcome of the assessment, we'll determine if that person needs treatment on an outpatient basis or if they require a higher level of care in either an Intensive outpatient or partial program, or 28-day inpatient program."

In addition to serving active-duty servicemembers, the program provides information and referral services to Defense Department civilians, dependents and military retirees. However, DOD civilians and their household members are encouraged to first contact the Employee Assistance Program, for help.

For servicemembers who are Guard or Reserve, commanders must put them on active orders for them to become eligible to receive care, Tucker said.

People can get help through self-referral, command-referral or medical referral. 

ADAPT gives airmen an array of tools, treatment and real-life skills to set them up for success.

"We help people make a conscious decision to set healthy drinking limits or make the bold and commendable decision that maybe drinking isn't for them and isn't worth the consequences and repercussions that come with alcohol misuse," Tucker said.  "In most cases, it's not a one mistake Air Force with us." 

Servicemembers can rest assured that services are kept confidential. 

Tucker said Robins' ADAPT staff has nearly 100 years of knowledge and experience in the drug and alcohol field.  

"Life happens, and we get it," she said. "Often times, people use drinking to cope with stressors.  We're here to provide airmen with different ways to deal with stress and help them get back to the fight as quickly as possible." 

Tucker said people with drug and alcohol abuse problems have to be ready and willing to put in the work to get better.

For more on Robins' ADAPT program, call 478-327-8398 or select the You Matter desktop icon on your government computer to learn more about    the program.