An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

ADAPT offers alcohol use disorder screenings

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tonita Sealy
  • 51st Medical Operations Squadron
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  National Alcohol Screening Day is an annual event that provides information about alcohol and health as well as a free and anonymous screening for alcohol use disorders. The Air Force continues to promote a culture of responsible choices where providing education and dispelling related myths about alcohol will not only help keep our Airmen safe, but will also keep them "Ready to Fight Tonight!"

Alcohol consumption itself is not necessarily dangerous. If someone is over the age of 21 and drink responsibly, enjoying an evening out with family and friends can be exactly that - enjoyable. Alcohol consumption becomes a problem when important decisions collide with impaired judgment.

While stationed at Osan, many Airmen find themselves away from family and friends, distanced from the familiar, and learning to adapt to a new environment. For some, these stressors plus any other combination of contributing factors (i.e. financial, relational, legal) can lead many individuals to seek distraction through alcohol. Unfortunately, in a place where large amounts of alcohol are so readily available and often unregulated, the combination can lead to devastating consequences.

If you are concerned about a friend, family member or even yourself, some signs of a potential alcohol problem include: drinking to calm nerves or forget worries, drinking to boost a sad mood, feelings of guilt when you drink, unsuccessful attempts to either stop or control your drinking, lying to others or hiding your drinking from others, needing to drink an increasing amount of alcohol to achieve the desired affect, spending a great deal of time obtaining and drinking alcohol, drinking in risky situations such as driving, or engaging in unwanted/unprotected sex after drinking. Keep in mind that these are just some of the signs and symptoms that there may be a problem with alcohol use.

In an attempt to increase community awareness, the Osan Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program offers a free screening via the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test. The AUDIT was developed by the World Health Organization to help identify people whose alcohol consumption may be hazardous or harmful to their health. If you have concerns about your drinking or of someone you know, please complete the screening at the end of this article. After scoring it, if you would like additional information and/or assistance, please contact your Primary Care Manager or the Osan ADAPT program at 784-2149 or 784-2148.

Facts:

What is a standard drink? A standard drink contains about 14 grams (about 0.6 fluid ounces) of pure alcohol.

12 oz of beer or wine cooler
8-9 oz. of malt liquor
5 oz of table wine
3-4 oz of fortified wine (such as sherry or port)
2-3 oz of cordial, liqueur, or aperitif
1.5 oz of brandy
1.5 oz of spirits (gin, vodka, whiskey etc.)

Did you know?

That some 14,000 individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 die through an alcohol related incident and more than 600,000 individuals ages 18 to 24 are assaulted each year by a peer who has been drinking.
(Alcohol facts at www.mentalhealthscreening.org)