Substance Use

Sometimes service members turn to alcohol in an effort to cope with stress, ‘unwind’ from a long work week, or even help sleep if feeling restless at the end of the day. Alcohol use can become misuse when it starts to negatively impact areas of your life, such as your health, performance, finances, relationships, and mission readiness. Increased and prolonged alcohol use over time can lead to the development of both short-term and long-term health concerns. 
 
Signs that my alcohol use is a problem: 
➔ Unable to stop drinking once you start
➔ Drinking more or for longer than you intended
➔ Being unable to cut down or stop your use
➔ Having strong urges or cravings to drink
➔ Failing to complete important tasks due to your use
➔ Having trouble sleeping, shakiness, or nausea if you discontinue use
➔ Increased conflict or losing family and friends due to drinking
➔ Others have expressed concerns about your drinking
 
Self-Assessment Resource
 
Things I can do to help: 
➔ Educate yourself on alcohol use. CDC guidelines for alcohol use.
➔ For women, no more than 3 drinks/day; no more than 7 drinks/week. 
➔ For men, no more than 4 drinks/day; no more than 14 drinks/week. 
➔ A standard drink of alcohol: 12oz Beer; 5oz Glass of Wine; 1.5oz of Liquor. 
➔ If you plan on drinking alcohol, plan how you will moderate your use. 
➔ Set a limit to the amount of alcoholic drinks to have per week and/or per day. 
➔ Count the number of drinks you have when out with friends.
➔ Alternate drinking non-alcoholic beverages or water with alcoholic drinks. 
➔ Switch to drinks that contain less alcohol (e.g., light beers). 
➔Plan for your safety ahead of time. Have a plan on how to return home and who to call in case you need help. 
 
Resources:
➔ Consider if you need to take control of your alcohol use
 
When to seek Help?
➔ You drink heavily and this pattern occurs frequently. 
➔ You’ve tried unsuccessfully to cut down your use.
➔ Your use is impacting areas of your life (work, home, relationships, physical and mental health).
➔ You’ve received feedback that your alcohol consumption is a problem. 
 
Where to seek help:
➔ Your primary care team (which includes Primary Care Behavioral Health, formerly known as BHOP)
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