Substance Use

Service members sometimes turn to alcohol in an effort to cope with stress, ‘unwind’ from a long work week, or even to 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 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

• Check Your Drinking Habits - Own Your Limits

Ways to help yourself: 

• Educate yourself on alcohol use by checking these CDC guidelines
• For women, no more than three drinks a day; no more than seven drinks a week 
• For men, no more than four drinks a day; no more than 14 drinks a week
• A standard drink of alcohol: 12 ounces beer; five-ounce glass of wine; one-and-a-half ounces 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 beer)
• 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:

• Alcohol use in the military: Limits, consequences
• 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 impacts 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)
• More information about our Mental Health Clinic
• Military OneSource
  • What to expect at your therapy appointment