thedrifter
03-14-06, 07:27 AM
Returning warriors face threat from alcohol
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Story by: Cpl. Rose A. Muth
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. –(March 14, 2006) -- Rolling down the runway, Marines may experience feelings of anticipation and emotion as they return from combat zones. Faced with the reality of the routine of daily life, many may find readjustment a shock, and search for a way to blur it out.
“After returning home from a dangerous and stressful time, some Marines may face or are experiencing some strong emotional or physical reactions which are linked to signs of combat stress,” explained Caroline Graham, drug demand prevention specialist, health promotions, Marine Corps Community Services. “One usual outlet for Marines who are experiencing stress or other related issues is to try to resolve the problem with alcohol.”
Alcohol is medically defined as a depressant – a drug that slows the activity of the brain and spinal cord. According to Department of Defense statistics, more than $600 million a year is spent on alcohol treatment and $132 million is used to care for babies with fetal alcohol syndrome.
According to Graham, alcohol may seem to have a small effect now on a Marine’s life, but it can create a bigger impact later. Not only in their family relationships, but with their work and personal life as well.
Although alcohol may be used as a crutch to lean on during hard times, the effects of alcohol can be deadly to not only the drinker, but to everyone else around them.
“I talked to a Marine at the brig for vehicular manslaughter,” Graham said. “He just returned home from leave where he was hailed as a war hero in his hometown. One night he went out with his friends and had a couple drinks after hearing he was going to get promoted, and he rear-ended a woman going around 100 miles per hour on his way home. That accident changed both of those families’ lives forever. Alcohol was the factor in the equation that should not have been there.”
The first step into getting treatment for an alcohol addiction is to first identify the problem, then ask for someone’s help before it gets out of control.
“I realized I had a drinking problem after the second week I was back from Iraq,” said a Marine from II Marine Headquarters Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, who asked that his name not be used. “I decided that I needed to go to counseling so I went to talk to the (substance abuse counseling officer) and he set me up with an appointment with a trained substance counselor.”
After a Marine identifies the problem, the help is readily available in a safe setting.
“Anybody can come in my office and talk to me about an alcohol problem or any other type of problem,” said Gunnery Sgt. John L. Rutledge, substance abuse counseling officer, II MHG, II MEF. “Whatever we talk about is always confidential. After treatment the Marine has to come see me once a week and I just check up on them to make sure they are doing okay.”
With the surge of Marines returning from deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, commands are trying to raise awareness of the long-lasting problem, Graham explained.
“The one thing I try to stress to Marines when I talk to them is they wouldn’t go into war without a plan, so why would they go out in town without a plan also?” Graham said. “Being proactive and responsible about safe drinking can help an unwanted situation from happening.”
For more information on substance and alcohol abuse counseling, or to schedule a brief, call (910) 451-0021.
Ellie
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Story by: Cpl. Rose A. Muth
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. –(March 14, 2006) -- Rolling down the runway, Marines may experience feelings of anticipation and emotion as they return from combat zones. Faced with the reality of the routine of daily life, many may find readjustment a shock, and search for a way to blur it out.
“After returning home from a dangerous and stressful time, some Marines may face or are experiencing some strong emotional or physical reactions which are linked to signs of combat stress,” explained Caroline Graham, drug demand prevention specialist, health promotions, Marine Corps Community Services. “One usual outlet for Marines who are experiencing stress or other related issues is to try to resolve the problem with alcohol.”
Alcohol is medically defined as a depressant – a drug that slows the activity of the brain and spinal cord. According to Department of Defense statistics, more than $600 million a year is spent on alcohol treatment and $132 million is used to care for babies with fetal alcohol syndrome.
According to Graham, alcohol may seem to have a small effect now on a Marine’s life, but it can create a bigger impact later. Not only in their family relationships, but with their work and personal life as well.
Although alcohol may be used as a crutch to lean on during hard times, the effects of alcohol can be deadly to not only the drinker, but to everyone else around them.
“I talked to a Marine at the brig for vehicular manslaughter,” Graham said. “He just returned home from leave where he was hailed as a war hero in his hometown. One night he went out with his friends and had a couple drinks after hearing he was going to get promoted, and he rear-ended a woman going around 100 miles per hour on his way home. That accident changed both of those families’ lives forever. Alcohol was the factor in the equation that should not have been there.”
The first step into getting treatment for an alcohol addiction is to first identify the problem, then ask for someone’s help before it gets out of control.
“I realized I had a drinking problem after the second week I was back from Iraq,” said a Marine from II Marine Headquarters Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, who asked that his name not be used. “I decided that I needed to go to counseling so I went to talk to the (substance abuse counseling officer) and he set me up with an appointment with a trained substance counselor.”
After a Marine identifies the problem, the help is readily available in a safe setting.
“Anybody can come in my office and talk to me about an alcohol problem or any other type of problem,” said Gunnery Sgt. John L. Rutledge, substance abuse counseling officer, II MHG, II MEF. “Whatever we talk about is always confidential. After treatment the Marine has to come see me once a week and I just check up on them to make sure they are doing okay.”
With the surge of Marines returning from deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, commands are trying to raise awareness of the long-lasting problem, Graham explained.
“The one thing I try to stress to Marines when I talk to them is they wouldn’t go into war without a plan, so why would they go out in town without a plan also?” Graham said. “Being proactive and responsible about safe drinking can help an unwanted situation from happening.”
For more information on substance and alcohol abuse counseling, or to schedule a brief, call (910) 451-0021.
Ellie