Can I pull out of a self-referral to the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP)?

2016-07-18T02:15:54-04:00

I referred myself to ASAP because I passed out on leave in my uncles bathroom, and I woke up in a bed and walked up stairs and my family members just looked at me disappointed. Once my counselor did the evaluation, she just concluded that I drink A LOT. She asked all these questions about what problems it's creating personally or professionally, and I saw it's not creating any problems.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2016 2:51 AM

2016-07-18T02:51:03-04:00

Best to finish it out. You might learn more about yourself, we all have a tendency to minimize problems.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 18 at 2016 12:01 PM

2016-07-18T12:01:29-04:00

As I am sure you have in every other facet of your career, Follow Through! You and your Family saw the need, your counselor is the professional should be a joint decision. You are no good to yourself, your family or the Military if you are blacking out.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 18 at 2016 12:03 PM

2016-07-18T12:03:44-04:00

Step #1 is admiting that you have a problem.....

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 18 at 2016 7:38 PM

2016-07-18T19:38:43-04:00

See good senior ENL advice so I'll chip in the OFF perspective, albeit more bluntly. If you don't think you have a problem, you've not made Step 1. Drinking your brain into oblivion is a problem by definition. The issue is about what it has or has not affected and to what extent. Going through the program will allow you to sort it all out. BTW if you go through the program and are dismissive about all of it, you have a problem. You have to realize you either don't have or have a faulty "Stop Switch". Not addressing it properly will bite you in the butt.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2016 10:36 PM

2016-07-18T22:36:09-04:00

First clue that you should stick it out is that you drank until you passed out when you knew you were staying at your family's house. Just a question to ask yourself, is this the first time you have drank in excess? Yes, the term excess is a relative term.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jul 18 at 2016 11:50 PM

2016-07-18T23:50:11-04:00

Son, let me tell you that if you have to ask this question, you need to stick it out. Do you want to see that look of disappointment in the eyes of your family ever again?
It IS causing problem in your personal life, and in your professional life. I bet that IF you pull out of it, if that is even possible, bout if you pull out then any alcohol incident at all would be used to give you that Big Chicken Dinner (BCD) in this age of a Zero Defect army.
More importantly, let go of the Alcohol. I did nearly 16 years ago and have not been sorry for one minute.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Jul 21 at 2016 3:24 PM

2016-07-21T15:24:35-04:00

Finish it. You are there because you acknowledged you have a problem. It is very normal in these situations to get a 'bubble' effect where you start feeling much better and think you are all cured. You need to focus on you life and problems, and take small steps toward improvement. It takes a lot of time and effort, but you are where you need to be right now. Stay there.