People without military experience and no military-experienced relatives will sometimes make the wrong assumptions about the military and military life. Some of these people believe that military personnel caught abusing drugs or alcohol are merely kicked out and left to help themselves in the civilian sector of society. This belief is partly true, as I'll explain, but it only pertains to specific situations.
My Experience with a Navy Drug Rehab Center and an Alcohol Rehab Center
My first duty station in the military was an assignment at Casual Company at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California from 1979 to 1981. Our staff was administratively responsible for:
- Discharges of recruit training failures.
- Discharges of Vietnam era deserters granted amnesty by President Carter (for turning themselves in).
- Support of the Marine Corps personnel assigned to the Navy Drug Rehab Center in Miramar, California.
- Support of the Marine Corps personnel assigned to the Alcohol Rehab Center at the 32nd St. Naval Station, San Diego, California.
- Support of transient personnel undergoing substance abuse treatment.
- Support of transient personnel undergoing outpatient treatment after major surgery.
Those are just the things I remember. Oddly enough, some of the permanent personnel (like myself) assigned to the company were the biggest substance abusers there were. They just never got caught. I "experimented" with marijuana once or twice myself with one of the known users in 1979 and that was the end of my experimentation and teen drug abuse. I wanted to make a career of the military and drug abuse didn't fit in with my plans. I was too young to legally "party with the boys" when it came to alcohol because the legal drinking age in California at the time was 21. It probably still is. I didn't turn 21 until November of 1981 and I had already been transferred to my second duty station by then.
Naval Air Station Miramar was changed to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in the late 1990s and prior to that, the alcohol and drug rehab facilities were moved to another location in San Diego. They have since been incorporated into Naval Medical Center, San Diego.
The End of the Military Drug Era
Drug abuse in the military, along with alcohol abuse, was rampant in the 1970s. Random drug screenings (via urinalysis) were kicked up a notch when the ability to detect THC, the psychoactive ingredient of marijuana, became available. Military personnel were given ample warnings that shiitake was going to hit the fan.
I watched as senior enlisted personnel as well as high-ranking officers were discharged from the Marine Corps for drug abuse, mostly for the use of marijuana – those in leadership positions weren't given the option to remain on active duty. Those who were classified as drug dependent were treated at the drug rehab center and given a clean bill of health before they were discharged. Most junior enlisted personnel were allowed to remain on active duty after receiving punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
In the years that followed and due to regular random drug screening, very few drug-dependent personnel were identified. Almost everyone detected as abusers had participated in drug abuse for a very short time. The military developed a zero-drug tolerance attitude and first-time offenders were immediately processed for discharge after receiving UCMJ punishment, unless they were identified as drug dependent. Drug dependent personnel were treated at military drug rehab centers and then released.
Alcohol Abuse Treatment
Personnel identified as alcoholics have always been treated and returned to active duty because alcohol is a legal drug. Alcohol use and "partying with the boys" was glorified until the early 1980s, when it was suddenly downplayed. The military clubs still exist, but the things that occurred in them before the 1980s just don't happen anymore.
In the 1970s, the beds at the alcohol rehab centers were always full. Such was not the case after alcohol was identified as something that shouldn't be glorified by the military. I don't know what they're like now, of course, but I know the alcohol rehab facilities still exist.
Military Leadership and Drug Offenders
As I aged (and got promoted) in the military, I took on many leadership responsibilities inherent to the military. By doing so, I was closer to the people that worked for me than I liked. Such is the nature of the beast when it comes to leadership. My troops were one step short of being my friends.
Needless to say, it pained me to see the result when one of my troops was caught in a random drug screening. At my final duty station (1996-1998), I had to watch as two of them were punished and discharged for one-time offenses of using marijuana. What pained me more, in that instance, is that they did it on purpose because they knew of the zero-tolerance policy and it was an easy way out of the military. Of course, I didn't find that out until AFTER they were discharged.
So you see, dumping military personnel into the civilian sector with existing drug or alcohol problems isn't cut and dry. When military personnel are identified as having any kind of substance abuse problem, the first thing attempted is drug or alcohol rehab. The military will not knowingly release a military member who still has any kind of drug or alcohol addiction. The military takes care of its own as much as possible and I'm not just stating a phrase. It's a historical fact. Of all the things in my military history, that is one fact that I can always be proud of.
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This article is published as: Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers in the Military
WOW! It is a small world indeed. RT, I was the 1Sgt of Casual Company about 1981 (not certain of exact dates) I have to wonder if we crossed paths??
To go a step further I am now days employed as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor for the Navy here in San Diego. SARP (Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program)in now located at the PT Loma Sub-base. I remember the days of visiting Miramar, don,t know if you recall but drug patients were at Miramar and alcohol was at 32nd st Naval base.
If you have an interest email me at zeke_axlerod@gmail.com maybe we could swap lies? I also lived in Olongapo for five years and have a lot of questions about the old place.
No I was not 1Sgt Axlerod LOL
You're right, I don't remember where ARC was located. That was about 30 years ago. I went through two 1stSgts when I was there, but I left in April of 81, and I think that 1stSgt left shortly after I did.
By the way, that email address doesn't exist.
Damm its still early here its zeke_axlerod@yahoo.com
Usual people have little information about military life that is why I think that your article will be interesting for many people. Besides it is very good that you write all the truth, it is very important to tell about drug abuse especially nowadays. I think that your article will help a lot of people to copy with their problems. I got interested in your article because the military word was always closed for me and you ware not afraid to open it not only for me but for many people. We see that military men are usual people and they always can need in medical care.
I can really understand how people could find themselves with a drug addiction during military service. Keep in mind that you are dealing with possibly one of the most stressful times you could have in an average life, especially if you see war. However it is a double edged sword because you can easily become addicted and cause major problems to your unit. If you know someone who is addicted, you should check out my site, we run a non profit drug rehab referral service, it is good to get help!
Rich recently posted..Where do I find free rehab?
I got into the field of counseling in the Navy soon after it was started in the early 70's. You may recall that Admiral Morrison, who was COMNAV Marianas then, got funding from CNO to establish the Navy Drug Rehab program as a result of his son's death from overdose. His son was 'the' Jim Morrison.
Right, the ARC was at 32nd street just off the base near Logan Heights in San Diego.
I was in the Submarine force and volunteered to go to NDACs at Miramar in 1974. I became director, CAAC, Miramar for 2 years after that. What a trip! Good duty for a W-3. I had a staff of 6 enlisted and 4 volunteer civilians. It was quite an education as well. I discovered my own addiction at that point.
Best to all. Thanks for the flash-back!
CWO-4, USN, Ret.
You reminded me that I needed to fix that in the article (ARC at 32nd St. Naval Station) and I did.
Hi,
My name is Taumafai iuli and I was a patient at Mira Mar Rehab from July, 1974 to Nov, 1974.
My question is: I remember that a person could be discharged for drug related offense and receive the "service connected compensation". Is my memory correct?
Also, who would I contact for my records while at the Mira Mar facility (above dates)?
Thanks,
Taum
I don't have answers to your questions. The rules changed in 1980 and then again in 1985 and probably did again later on. My service years were 1978-1998. I believe you would have to contact Headquarters Battalion, MCRD, San Diego to talk to someone about the rehab program.
Hi RT. I had an ex-husband who was discharged from the Navy by using the no tolerance policy and smoking weed and letting his XO know he did it. Totally made me mad and he went to rehab in CA for 30 days for it and then was discharged. The rehab was useless. But I have had other friends that benefited from being able to go to the rehab before discharge. My ex received a dishonorable discharge I believe.
Heather@the drug rehab recently posted..Signs Of Opiates Addiction
The discharge would not have been dishonorable. I don't really remember, but I believe it should have been "less than honorable conditions", and I can't remember if it was honorable or general. It's been too many years.
My brother was in the army and served in Iraq and was injured. He was sent back to get help he was given over 30 something medications and got medicine induced Hepatitishelp addictionHe now is off of most of his medication and doing so much better.
i can not seem to visit my son in point loma rehab. they strongly encourage family to participate and his HM cheif and master cheif were turned away from a visit yesterday. i dont understand help