Small amounts of alcohol produce a feeIing of
well-being and light headedness. However, since
alcohol is a depressant that slows down the central
nervous system, those good feelings quickly wear off.
Large amounts of alcohol over a long period of time
cause anxiety. Just as with other dangerous drugs,
alcohol may cause physical and psychological
dependence. This dependence is an illness called
alcoholism.
The Navys age-old problem with alcohol is
epitomized in the lyrics of an old drinking song, What
do you do with a drunken sailor? Until the last few
years, the answer was, You let him go down the hatch
or down the tubes. For a long time we have contributed
to the career demise of the alcohol abuser because of our
own traditional involvement in alcohol use. We have not
accepted the evidence that alcohol, although legal, is a
drug that some people cannot handle. Until recently,
alcoholism was considered a disciplinary or
administrative problem, which, if unresolved, could
only lead to a discharge from the Navy.
Navy Policy Regarding Alcoholism
Various SECNAV and OPNAV instructions set forth
Navy policy regarding alcoholism. Alcohol and Drug
Abuse Prevention and Control OPNAVINST 5350.4B,
provides the Navys policy on drug and alcohol abuse.
The Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NADAP)
uses this instruction as a guide.
The Navy acknowledges its responsibility for
counseling all members regarding the dangers of
alcohol by providing information to help alcoholics
recover. The Navy meets its responsibility by providing
alcoholism treatment centers and specialized
counseling. You share the responsibility of assisting the
command in referring those who are alcoholic to
treatment facilities.
Military members are responsible for their own
drinking habits; if they believe they have an alcohol
problem, they are responsible for seeking treatment.
Each member remains accountable for any deterioration
of performance caused by his or her own alcoholism.
Firmly maintain and affirm the Navys drug and
alcohol abuse policies as they relate to standards of
behavior, performance, and discipline. Do not consider
alcoholism, in itself, as grounds for disciplinary action;
however, do evaluate a members demonstrated conduct
resulting from the use or abuse of alcohol. Then, if
needed, take disciplinary or administrative action as
required. In each case, the appropriate action will
depend upon the facts and circumstances.
The Navy recognizes. that society has often
associated a stigma with alcoholism that has little basis
in fact and is counterproductive to successful
rehabilitation. The effects of this stigma have reinforced
the alcoholics or alcohol abusers denial of any
problem. The effects of this stigma have also
encouraged supervisory and medical personnel to cover
up in an attempt to protect the members career. To bring
the alcohol problem into the open where it can be
treated, the Navy must reduce the effects of the stigma
to the minimum.
Members who have undergo successful alcohol
treatment and recovery have the same job security and
opportunities for continued service and promotion as
other Navy members. However, any misconduct,
misbehavior, or reduction in performance caused by
alcohol will affect performance evaluations, duty
assignments, continued service, job security, and
promotion opportunity.
Because alcohol abuse involves the family of the
abuser, the Navy encourages the development of
programs and activities that contribute to a healthy
family life. The Navy also encourages the development
of programs to help restore to a healthy state those
families who are suffering from the effects of
alcoholism. Immediate members of the family of the
alcohol-dependent person may receive those
rehabilitation services available at their command.
Persons must make their own decision to use or not
to use alcoholic beverages lawfully. Department of the
Navy policy toward alcohol consists of three courses of
action. The first is to promote responsible attitudes about
alcohol in those who choose to drink. The second is to
promote the social acceptance of those who choose not
to drink. The third is to provide both drinkers and
nondrinkers with realistic information about alcohol and
alcoholism.
Understanding Alcohol and Its Effects
Surprisingly, many experienced drinkers are
relatively ignorant of the way their favorite beverages
affect them, for better or worse. The same applies to their
nondrinking families and friends who may be concerned
about why drinkers behave as they do.
Until recent years, when drinking problems forced
public concern, little factual alcohol- and health-related
information was available. Although people could find
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