JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
When alcohol or other drugs become a problem, they can affect every facet of the user's life as well as their family members. Getting the motivation and support to make real life changes is a process. This process begins with identifying the problem and seeking help from trained specialists in substance abuse treatment.
The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment (ADAPT) Program, located at Malcolm Grow Medical Center, provides assessment, education and treatment for individuals involved in high-risk substance use as well as substance abuse or dependence. MGMC also has one of the few Intensive Addictions Services (IAS) Programs in the Air Force, allowing those with more serious problems to receive comprehensive treatment.
"We provide care for active duty personnel as well as eligible retirees and family members. Our mission is to return the service member to full duty status as soon as possible or non-active duty members to an enhanced level of functioning. Seeking treatment is not a cause for discharge from military duty. However, untreated problems with substances often result in an event or incident that can jeopardize a career or even a life," said Sue Scheddel, ADAPT Manager.
"IAS assists individuals in understanding substance dependence and addiction. While at the program, participants learn practical methods for making life changes. Those changes increase life satisfaction and coping skills so that a person can be free of using substances as a coping mechanism," said Ms. Scheddel.
"The good news is that there is treatment available at Andrews Air Force Base. The IAS program meets 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The length of the program ranges from 4-6 weeks in length depending on when treatment goals are met. Daily attendance at a 12-step program meeting, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, is a required part of treatment. A 12-step sponsor is also necessary to assist participants in maintaining sobriety and substance abstinence," said Frances Martinsen, RN, Intake Coordinator.
"Andrews IAS is a state of the art program with professionally trained and certified staff. If you are an Air Force member here at Andrews, a referral to IAS would need to be made by the ADAPT program manager, Sue Scheddel (240-857-8950). If you are an Air Force member at another base, then your home base ADAPT manager can make the referral to Andrews IAS. We can help coordinate the most appropriate referral source for all others interested in obtaining treatment here. Andrews IAS program provides services to all branches of the military and any substance abuse counselor working for the military can make a referral to IAS program if those services are needed. Here at Andrews IAS the staff looks forward to assisting in recovery," said Ms. Martinsen.
Referrals to Andrews IAS can be made to Frances Martinsen, RN, Intake Coordinator at DSN: 857 -8227,comm: 240-857-8227, DSN fax: 857-8367, commercial: 240-857-8367, email is frances.martinsen@afnr.af.mil.