This information is subject to change based on updated policies and regulations. Please refer to the appropriate regulations, DODIs and Army policies on ASAP procedures.
>> Alcohol, Tobacco and Marijuana Use
What’s binge drinking?
- The CDC defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 g/dL or above. This typically happens to men who consume five or more drinks within two hours and women who consume four or more drinks within two hours. (Source: CDC)
What happens if I am hungover for work?
- A Soldier with a Breathalzyer test result above the limit is referred to SUDCC. Commanders may take UCMJ or administrative action against the Soldier.
I want to quit smoking. How can I get help?
- Your health care provider can refer you to smoking cessation classes.
Can I use marijuana in states where it is legalized?
- No. The Drug Enforcement Agency still classifies marijuana as a Schedule I substance, which is illegal according to the federal government.
Are medical marijuana cards recognized by the Army?
- No.
>> Alcohol and Marijuana Use During Pregnancy
Can Alcohol Use Affect My Pregnancy?
- The first few weeks of pregnancy are crucial in the development of a baby’s vital organs, systems and limbs. Alcohol and other substances can adversely affect this critical period of growth with life-long health concerns.
- When you drink while pregnant, alcohol in your blood passes to your baby through the umbilical cord. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and a range of lifelong physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
- Children with FASD might have the following characteristics and behaviors: Abnormal facial features, such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip small head size, shorter-than-average height, low body weight, poor coordination, hyperactive behavior, difficulty with attention, poor memory, difficulty in school (especially with math), learning disabilities, speech and language delays, intellectual disability or low IQ, poor reasoning and judgment skills, sleep and sucking problems as a baby, vision or hearing problems, problems with the heart, kidney, or bones.
- Learn more:
What about Other Substances Used During Pregnancy?
- There are various other drugs that may have adverse prenatal effects. These include, but are not limited to:
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Inhalants
- MDMA (Molly)
- Methamphetamine
- Nicotine
- Prescription and over-the-counter drugs
What about Marijuana Use During Pregnancy and Motherhood?
- According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 20 women use marijuana during pregnancy. Of these, many use it to help curb symptoms of morning sickness. Marijuana use during pregnancy can be harmful to the baby, regardless of how it is administered (smoked, eaten, topical creams, etc.). The chemicals in marijuana are similar to those in tobacco smoke and pass through the placenta, potentially resulting in low birth weight, premature birth, developmental and neurological problems including difficulties in the child playing and learning and are at higher risk for behavioral problems and poor academic performance.
- Mothers who are experiencing postpartum depression should see their doctor instead of using marijuana. Although the high may temporarily alleviate symptoms, it will not treat postpartum depression.
- Learn more:
>> ASAP Information & Leadership
What is the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP)?
- The Army Substance Abuse Program, or ASAP, is a comprehensive program that combines deterrence, prevention and treatment to strengthen the overall fitness and effectiveness of the Army. ASAP also enhances personnel and unit combat readiness by eliminating alcohol and/or other drug misuse. (ASAP mission and objectives are listed in paragraphs 1-30, AR 600-85.)
What are the keys to ASAP success?
- Actions that prevent, deter and reduce alcohol and drug misuse are the most important keys to ASAP success. At each post or installation, the ASAP Program Manager will develop an installation prevention plan where the unit commander can access information, programs and ideas.
- There are many prevention strategies. Unit commanders should educate and train Soldiers on the effects and consequences of alcohol and drug misuse and provide information about treatment services available at the installation. Commanders and first sergeants must take steps to deglamorize alcohol and make sure alcohol is never the focus of an event.
Who is eligible for our services?
- All ID card holders can receive authorized medical services in a military medical facility. All civilian personnel are eligible for services under the Federal Civilian Employees Occupational Health Services program.
What is the unit commander's role in the ASAP?
- Unit commanders must observe their Soldiers' behavior and intervene early if they suspect alcohol and/or drug misuse. Unit commanders would refer Soldiers to trained medical personnel for evaluation, recommend enrollment in treatment programs and process Soldiers for separation if necessary. (Find more information on the unit commander's role in ASAP in paragraphs 2-30 and Appendix B, AR 600-85.)
What specifically must a unit commander do?
- There are three major actions a unit commander must complete:
- Appoint a unit deterrence leader (UDL) to conduct the unit's ASAP activities.
- Establish a unit testing program.
- Implement prevention and education initiatives.
>> Drug Testing Guidance
How often will I be drug tested?
- All Army component Soldiers are required to test at least once a year. Other instances that may require a drug test include:
- Medical testing
- Probable cause
- Consent to search
- Inspection
- Commander-directed testing
How is my drug test evaluated?
- After the sample arrives at the lab, it undergoes an initial immunoassay screening to detect illicit substances. If the screening detects illicit substances, there will be a confirmation test to verify the substance.
What happens if I use a drug that is legal in the country I’m in?
- The same rules apply internationally if it’s illicit in the U.S.
What happens if I test positive?
- A positive test will result in administrative and/or disciplinary action, a referral to Substance Use Disorder Clinical Care (SUDCC) and the two-day ADAPT class.
I’m a high-ranking Soldier. What happens if I test positive?
- The same policies and procedures apply to everyone, regardless of rank.
Is there such a thing as a false positive?
- With any immunoassay screen, there is always a chance of a false positive result. Positive results are further tested for chemical compounds and amounts. If an initial screen is a false positive, the following test would not be positive.
- Ingestion of poppy seeds can cause a false positive due to contamination with codeine. Service members should avoid poppy seeds, according to a Feb 2023 DOD memo.
How long will a positive test result be on my record?
- It will remain a part of your permanent record.
Why does it seem like some people never get selected to give a urine sample, while others seem to get picked all the time?
- All personnel give urine samples for testing annually. However, there is no schedule for this. The Drug Testing Program randomly selects personnel after a UDL inputs their unit's personnel roster. For example, if a unit has 135 personnel assigned, everyone in the unit has a 1 in 135 chance of being selected. The software does not discriminate against anyone it selects for the urinalysis.
Will over-the-counter drugs give a positive urinalysis result?
- No.
>> Substance Use Disorder Clinical Care & Rehabilitation Process
How is a Soldier referred to SUDCC?
- There are five ways Soldiers are referred to SUDCC:
- Self-identification (voluntary): A Soldier goes to their chain-of-command and requests to see a counselor for an issue with alcohol/drugs.
- Commander/supervisor identification: A Soldier can be referred this way if their commander observes or suspects that Soldier is misusing alcohol/drugs.
- Biochemical identification: A Soldier who gets a positive urinalysis result or tests positive on a breath/blood alcohol test will automatically be referred to the counseling center for an evaluation.
- Medical identification: Health care providers may refer a Soldier after an examination that confirms a Soldier is misusing alcohol/drugs. The referring health care provider will notify the Soldier’s unit commander immediately.
- Investigation and/or apprehension: After military or civilian law enforcement identify a Solider involved in an alcohol- or drug-related incident, the Soldier’s unit commander will refer them to SUDCC for counseling within 72 hours of the incident.
What form do I use to refer a Soldier to SUDCC for evaluation/counseling?
Will I get into trouble if I self-refer to SUDCC?
- If you are using drugs or misusing alcohol, YOU ARE ALREADY IN TROUBLE; you just haven't been caught. But if you want to avoid long-term problems, self-referral is the way to go.
Can I report someone anonymously?
- Yes.
What kind of rehab programs are available?
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP) and inpatient programs.
Why is the unit commander's participation critical to the success of the rehabilitation process?
- They evaluate and provide periodic feedback to the counselor about Soldiers’ duty performance during care.
- They review ongoing evaluations of Soldiers’ progress and participation as reported by SUDCC counselors and talk to Soldiers about evaluations.
- They participate in rehabilitation team meetings with the SUDCC clinical staff. (Chapter 4 of AR 600-85 addresses the rehabilitation process.)
- They make final determinations on whether a Soldier’s rehabilitation was successful. Unit commanders usually make final determinations within three to six months of initial enrollment.