Are you or someone you care about in the Army and dealing with substance abuse issues? The Army has two programs that help soldiers with substance use disorder and related mental health concerns, including post-traumatic stress disorder: ASAP and SUDCC. ASAP stands for Army Substance Abuse Program. SUDCC stands for Substance Use Disorder Clinical Care. Before 2016, both were managed under ASAP. After a 2016 restructuring they became separate programs, but they still work together to help soldiers recover and continue serving effectively.
If you or someone you care about is a service member, veteran, or military family member near West Palm Beach, this guide covers how Army substance abuse programs work and when a civilian treatment provider like Allure Detox may be an option.
Table of Contents
What is ASAP?
ASAP (Army Substance Abuse Program) is the Army’s umbrella program for substance abuse prevention, education, and command-level coordination. It handles drug testing to detect illicit drug use among active-duty personnel, risk reduction training, suicide prevention education, and unit-level awareness. ASAP also conducts the initial screening that determines whether a soldier is dealing with a one-time instance of misuse or a diagnosable substance use disorder. If clinical treatment is needed, ASAP refers the soldier to SUDCC.
What is SUDCC?
SUDCC (Substance Use Disorder Clinical Care) is the clinical treatment arm. Licensed providers at SUDCC conduct formal assessments, diagnose substance use disorders, manage medically supervised withdrawal when necessary, and deliver ongoing counseling and medication-assisted treatment. Before 2016, ASAP managed both prevention and clinical care. After the 2016 restructuring, clinical treatment moved to SUDCC under Army Medical Command, while ASAP retained its prevention and education mission.
What’s the difference between an instance of drug or alcohol abuse and substance use disorder?
An instance of alcohol or drug abuse is when a soldier drinks too much or consumes legal or illegal substances to the point of extreme intoxication on a one-time or isolated basis. At this point, the individual is not addicted. Substance use disorder is a pattern of consuming drugs or alcohol to the point where the body and brain become dependent on the substance. Alcohol use disorder and binge drinking are particularly common concerns within the armed forces, and ASAP’s education and risk reduction efforts specifically target these patterns among military personnel. Prescription drugs, including sedatives and opioid painkillers, are also among the most commonly misused substances in military populations.
How does the Army Substance Abuse Program work?
ASAP’s mission is to enhance the combat readiness of soldiers, strengthen overall fitness, and conserve manpower through prevention and early intervention. The program combines deterrence, education, and early clinical referral around three main objectives:
- Reduce instances of alcohol and drug abuse through education and preventative measures
- Implement risk reduction strategies to prevent substance use disorder
- Treat and restore soldiers to duty when they are able to continue their military careers
When a soldier is identified through screening, command referral, or self-referral, ASAP determines whether the issue can be addressed through education and risk reduction or whether a clinical referral to SUDCC is warranted.
Who is eligible for ASAP and SUDCC?
ASAP services are available to active-duty soldiers, Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees, and eligible family members. SUDCC clinical services are primarily available to active-duty soldiers, with eligibility for other populations depending on installation and policy. Active-duty military personnel in the armed forces include those serving in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The reserve component includes the Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve. SUDCC and ASAP are Army-specific programs; other branches operate equivalent programs under different names.
How do you enroll in ASAP or SUDCC?
The best starting point is to contact your commanding officer for a referral. Phone numbers and treatment center locations vary by installation.
You can also self-refer voluntarily. Under current policy, soldiers who self-refer to SUDCC or ASAP remain deployable, avoid an automatic notification to their chain of command, and retain the ability to discontinue care. Early intervention is strongly encouraged because it helps prevent the disciplinary consequences that can follow a positive drug test, alcohol-related incident, or other career-impacting event.
If you are mandatorily enrolled after such an event, the terms change: you are not deployable for 12 months, and you cannot dis-enroll yourself from care. This is why voluntary enrollment is almost always the better path. The Army’s approach has shifted over the past decade toward encouraging early, voluntary help-seeking, recognizing that untreated substance use disorder is more damaging to readiness than treatment itself.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), traumatic brain injuries are reported by 19.5% of service members returning from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Service carries both physical and mental health impacts, and cultural stigma frequently prevents people from seeking help. Don’t wait.
How long does Army substance abuse treatment last?
The length of Army substance abuse treatment varies based on clinical need. Outpatient treatment through SUDCC typically runs 30 to 360 days. Inpatient rehabilitation is a 360-day program, with the first five weeks focused on medically supervised withdrawal and initial stabilization, followed by ongoing weekly SUDCC sessions and participation in mutual aid meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
What if I’m a veteran in need of substance abuse treatment?
Veterans have access to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) substance use disorder programs through their local VA medical center. If you are a veteran in crisis or need immediate support, you can reach the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1, texting 838255, or chatting online at VeteransCrisisLine.net. Veterans with Tricare or other insurance coverage may also be eligible for treatment at civilian providers like Allure Detox in West Palm Beach.
Can military members and veterans get treatment at Allure Detox?
If you are not required to enroll in ASAP, SUDCC, or another military substance abuse treatment program, you can pursue treatment at Allure Detox in West Palm Beach. We accept Tricare and can work with veterans, retirees, and eligible military family members who prefer a civilian treatment setting.
What does Tricare cover, and what does Allure Detox offer?
Coverage depends on your specific Tricare plan and clinical needs, so it’s important to verify directly with your provider. Generally, Tricare covers medical detox, 24/7 clinical care, drug testing, individual therapy, inpatient meals, and comfort-focused services.
Allure Detox in West Palm Beach, Florida offers medical detox and residential treatment for substance use disorder. We also provide holistic care options including acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage therapy, physical therapy, and yoga.
How does treatment start and how long does it last?
Treatment at Allure Detox begins with a confidential evaluation, free insurance verification, and an intake assessment. The evaluation determines your clinical needs. Insurance verification confirms what Tricare or your private insurer will cover and whether you’ll have any out-of-pocket expenses. The intake assessment determines your level of care and prepares you for admission.
Length of stay depends on the substance involved, medical needs, and findings from the intake assessment. Medical detox typically runs 5 to 10 days, and residential treatment that follows often lasts two to four weeks. For service members and veterans stepping down from a military program or using Tricare, we tailor the length of stay to clinical need rather than a fixed schedule. When appropriate, we coordinate with referring providers to ensure continuity of care.
How do I get help at Allure Detox?
You can start the process of getting help by calling us today. Our team is ready to take your call, verify your coverage, and help you or your loved one take the first step toward recovery.
Frequently asked questions
What does SUDCC stand for?
What is the difference between ASAP and SUDCC?