Thomas Edison State College
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse in the Military
By
Adam D. Max
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse in the Military
Alcoholism and drug abuse in the military has become of great concern to it’s leaders. The military holds it’s members to the highest standards of discipline and behavior, both on and off duty. There have been new measure put into place in sections of the military, there have also been new treatment programs developed. The military is also looking at ways to prevent these things from happening by looking at early warning signs. The policies that are currently in place in the military itself are also aimed at the prevention of alcoholism and drug abuse.
We must first define what exactly alcoholism is and to whether it is just abuse or dependence. Moderate alcohol use is normal, but alcohol abuse or dependence is a serious problem. Too much alcohol affects the central nervous system and how the brain functions. It affects perception, thinking, and coordination. It impairs judgment, reduces inhibitions, and increases aggression. Those who abuse alcohol are more likely than others to engage in high risk, thoughtless, or violent behaviors.(1) Alcoholism is a term commonly used to describe the medical disorder of alcohol dependence. Alcohol Dependence is an illness with four main features:
• Physical dependence, with a characteristic withdrawal syndrome that is relieved by more alcohol (e.g., morning drinking) or other drugs;
• Physiological tolerance, so that more and more alcohol is needed to produce the desired effects;
• Difficulty in controlling how much alcohol is consumed once drinking has begun;
• A craving for alcohol that can lead to relapse if one tries to abstain.(1)
We must remember that alcohol abuse is different than alcohol dependence. Abusers aren’t necessarily physically addicted, but may develop problems as a result of their alcohol consumption and poor judgment, failure to understand...