ADAPT leads Airmen to right path

  • Published
  • By By Airman 1st Class Fraces Locquiao
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Airmen, especially younger ones, are constantly surrounded by temptations to misuse alcohol. Some may fall into those temptations and end up in misfortune.

There's an Air Force program that can help those Airmen out by leading them to the right path through treatment and education.

The Air Force Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program was designed to help Airmen overcome substance abuse, especially alcohol, said Maj. John Bowers, 23rd Medical Group behavioral health flight commander.

"Though the program offers individuals treatment for substance abuse, its main focus is prevention and education," Major Bowers said. "Our goal is to educate Airmen about responsible drinking."

There are four ways personnel can be referred to the program: commander referral, medical physician referral, self-referral and having positive results in a urinalysis test.

"We'd like to see more people come in as self-referrals, but most end up seeing us because they had an incident with alcohol," said Staff Sgt. Kristine Fisk, NCO in-charge of the ADAPT program. "That's why education is important so that Airmen can avoid getting in trouble."

A typical ADAPT evaluation with a counselor usually lasts an hour depending on each person's situation.

"The first step is to assess whether or not the person is diagnosed with alcohol abuse or dependence," said Major Bowers. "If they are not, they undergo a few brief counseling sessions, which emphasizes healthy and responsible drinking habits."

Individuals, who receive a diagnosis, will have to attend out-patient care at the 23rd MDG clinic or receive care at Greenleaf in South Georgia Medical Center. Treatment time may take up to six months, depending on each person.

In reality, it's up to the individual to use the skills learned in order to be successful, said Sergeant Fisk.

So far, the program has a 95 percent return-to-duty rate.

Sergeant Fisk along with Tech. Sgt. Erik Karpicke are currently the only two certified counselors for ADAPT.

"There will be more counselors in the future," said Sergeant Fisk. "Our technicians in training must take several classes and undergo 6,000 hours of supervision in order to be certified."

In addition to educating individuals, ADAPT counselors are available to speak to units.

"It's our job to help Airmen know that part of being a wingman is to make sure all of us drink responsibly," said Major Bowers. "If we can get them to take this message to heart we will be a more effective fighting force."

For more information, call 257-3898.