A referral to ADAPT, are you next? Published April 16, 2013 By Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The weekend is here so it is time to party and let loose from work for a bit, right? With a high number of base populous who are categorized as unmarried young Airmen stationed here for their first term, a weekend get-together for them has a greater probability of including alcohol use. Statistically, those residing in North Dakota are more likely to involve alcohol during recreational activities on the weekend. According to a North Dakota 2012 Epidemiological Profile report, the use of alcohol, compared to other states, and its abuse is the biggest substance-related problem that faces this state. It also recognized that North Dakota has among the highest rates in the nation in recent alcohol use and binge drinking, regardless of age group. Minot Air Force Base is not exempt from these statistics and with widespread alcohol use. It can often lead to trouble with the law. While there isn't a definitive answer as to why there is a prevalent use of alcohol in North Dakota for Minot AFB, Capt. Jonathan Doti, 5th Medical Operations Squadron Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Treatment program manager, explained there is a culmination of factors that contribute to its prevalent use. "Minot is an austere base. It has a very demanding mission," said Doti. "We also have an extremely long winter in which people may not engage in positive and healthy practices like socializing and exercising and it becomes an accumulative effect of engaging in drinking." He acknowledged it's only a matter of statistical chance that if one continually drinks, they could engage in negative interactions that could get them into trouble. Doti added that while first and foremost it is an Airmen's responsibility to ensure they don't put themselves in difficult situations involving alcohol abuse, supervisors and leaders can play a role as well, by advising and being vigilant about potential problems Airmen might be having which is leading them toward alcohol abuse. Staff Sgt. Jessica Wyrick, 5th Medical Operations Squadron ADAPT technician, explained most referrals to the program are command-directed, and are due to the fact that their alcohol use landed them in some sort of trouble. However, she stressed that cases involving driving under the influence or maltreatment were not the majority of situations Airmen were involved in here. "The majority of the people are coming in because they have put themselves in situations that are not safe, whether it's drinking too much and arguing, or having a lack of situational awareness and planning on their part," said Wyrick. She stressed the importance of individuals having a plan when going out and not continuing drinking to the point where they pass out or black out. Many who are mandated into the ADAPT program think it's a punishment, said Wyrick, but in reality it's not, because their job is to figure out if there is a problem and how they can fix it so it does not continue in the future. Currently, the ADAPT program has been actively engaged in community outreach as an initiative with the Integrated Delivery System and Community Action Information Board, raising awareness on both alcohol and domestic abuse. "These issues are a problem especially during the month of April," said Wyrick. The team educates unit members during commander's calls and they have information placed throughout areas around the base regarding these topics as well. In conjunction with Wingman Day this month, they will be hosting an Alcohol Screening Day event at the Base Exchange on April 19, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Anyone on base is invited to go to the location and take an alcohol screening survey which can let them know if their drinking habits are responsible or if they may need to consider cutting back. Individuals may also take this survey online in the privacy of their own home at www.DrinkingIQ.org. In June, the team is also working to coordinate a third round of the social norms project surveys, which gathers data on alcohol use at Minot AFB.