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“Hold my beer and watch this,” is a phrase everyone has heard and most laugh at, but it can lead to serious consequences for military personnel aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif.
“It is okay for most people to engage in low risk drinking choices and behaviors,” said Dawn Dialon, substance abuse counselor with Behavior Health on base. “Responsible drinking guidelines are easy to remember. We recommend the ‘0, 1, 2, 3, 4,’ method. For some people ‘Zero, Nada, Zilch’ is the best choice. For instance, people doing any of the following should abstain from alcohol completely: Planning to drive/operate machinery; Pregnant or trying to become pregnant; Taking medications that interact with alcohol; Having certain medical conditions that alcohol can aggravate like GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease), ulcers, pancreatitis, liver disease.”
One standard drink per hour is the maximum recommended because the body can only digest, metabolize and filter one standard drink containing alcohol, and its byproducts, from the body's systems per hour, Dialon explained.
“So, for example, a Long Island Iced Tea is not one standard drink!” Dialon said. “For most people, two standard drinks daily is low risk.
Women should consume no more than three drinks on any single day and no more than seven drinks per week. Men should consume no more than four drinks on any single day and no more than 14 drinks per week. So, that’s it. That basically sums up the ‘Responsible Drinking 0-1-2-3-4,’ logic.”
When people begin to abuse alcohol, it can impact every aspect of their life, from family and relationships, to problems in the workplace. “It can and does destroy family cohesiveness and function,” said Carla Torres, New Parent Support Program counselor and certified counselor for drugs and alcohol. “In regards to career and fitness the military has a low tolerance for abuse. Depending on the seriousness of the abuse and if it has led to an incident the service member could face Uniform Code of Military Justice consequences.”
Alcohol lowers inhibitions, explained James Maher, Behavioral Health section head. Because of this, people may be inclined to do things they might otherwise reconsider.
“When it comes to substance abuse, Marines should remember their motto to ‘Protect What They Have earned!” Maher said. “When people are drinking, it can lead to an artificial over confidence in what they can do and many people have suffered from the consequences. We all know the old joke, ‘Hold my beer and watch this!’ which can lead to some comedic actions, but that mentality can be a good example of how people can do foolish things which they will regret for years to come.”
According to the Center for Disease Control, excessive alcohol consumption, including binge drinking is defined as:
• 4 or more drinks for women on any single occasion.
• 5 or more drinks for men on any single occasion.
“As people increase their alcohol consumption, they may also build a tolerance,” Dialon said.
“Tolerance explains how some people can drink more than others. It can also fool or trick someone into thinking ‘I don’t feel that drunk, I can drive’ which can lead to tragic results.”
There are other ways to meet these needs, however. Behavioral Health staff are available to teach people coping mechanisms that are not potentially harmful to one’s self and others and do not threaten one’s choice of careers.
“Here at Behavioral Health, we can do an Assessment, Treatment and Prevention plan,” Dialon said. “An Assessment can be done to help someone figure out if alcohol use has crossed the threshold into an Alcohol Use Disorder. We offer outpatient counseling with individual sessions for treatment. We also do Prime for Life 4.5 which is a prevention tool to educate people about alcohol use and low risk drinking guidelines.”
Outside of the base there are Alcoholics Anonymous in Barstow and Victorville available to help support people who have chosen abstinence and are on a path of recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder, abuse and dependence.
“There are also Al-Anon support groups for people dealing with the effects of someone they know who has problems with alcohol or substance abuse in Barstow and the High Desert,” Maher said.
“I think any time alcohol starts to become a problem for you personally, your health, in your relationships, and at work, you need to begin to look for help,” Torres said. “For most people too much alcohol will lead to some type of problematic behavior at some point.”
What starts off making people feel freer and happier, can turn into a monster if not used appropriately, Maher explained.
“Many of the abuse cases I’ve come across were alcohol and/or drug related,” Maher said. “This isn’t intended to be an excuse for abuse, but it explains a correlation. Alcohol seems to relieve people's inhibitions which may unleash pent up anger and they can do some crazy things. This often ends in ruined relationships, wrecked vehicles and sometimes loss of jobs.”
Maher also suggests looking at your family tree. Genes can play a serious role in predisposition to addictions.
“Although genes play a major role in determining predispositions to behaviors such as substance abuse,” he said, “so does free will and choice! Behavioral Health staff are here to help people understand their choices, and train themselves to make healthier choices going forward.”
For more information on support for reducing or quitting drinking go to Rethinking Drinking at www.RethinkingDrinking.niaa.nih.gov.For confidential assistance, information or counseling support, contact Behavioral Health at 577-6533.
| Date Taken: | 04.25.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 04.25.2019 14:53 |
| Story ID: | 319479 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,344 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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