Army drug test waiver

Army Substance Abuse Program

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.

What is the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP)?

The Army Substance Abuse Program, or ASAP, is a comprehensive program, which combines deterrence, prevention, and treatment designed to strengthen the overall fitness and effectiveness of the Army and to enhance the combat readiness of its personnel and units by eliminating alcohol and/or other drug abuse. (ASAP mission and objectives are listed in para 1-30, AR 600-85.).

All Army component Soldiers are required to be tested at least once a year. Other instances, including medical testing, probable cause, consent to search, inspection, or commander directed, may be required as necessary.

A positive test will likely result in administrative and/or disciplinary action and a referral to Substance Use Disorder Clinical Care (SUDCC) and the two day ADAPT education class.

Once the sample arrives at the lab, it undergoes an initial immunoassay screening, detecting illicit substances. If the screening detects illicit substance, then a confirmation test is conducted to verify the substance detected.

With any immunoassay screen, there is always a slight chance of false positive results. Positive results are further tested to detect specific chemical compounds and their amounts. If an initial screen is a false positive, the following test would not detect anything positive.

Unit commanders must observe their Soldiers' behavior and intervene early to identify possible alcohol and/or drug misuse, refer these Soldiers for evaluation by trained medical personnel, recommend enrollment in treatment programs, and when appropriate, process Soldiers for separation. (More information on the unit commander's role in ASAP can be found in para 1-31, AR 600-85.)

Actions taken to prevent, deter, and reduce alcohol and drug misuse are the single greatest keys to ASAP success. At each post or installation, the ADCO will develop an Installation Prevention Plan, which the unit commander can access for information, programs, and ideas. While there are many forms of prevention strategies available, unit commanders should provide education and training to Soldiers on the effects and consequences of alcohol and drugs, along with the treatment services, which are available at the installation. Commanders and First Sergeants must also take steps to deglamorize alcohol and ensure that alcohol is never the focus of any event.

There are basically three major actions a unit commander must accomplish: First, a Unit Prevention Leader (UPL) must be appointed to conduct the unit's ASAP activities; second, a unit testing program must be established; and third, prevention and education initiatives must be implemented.

There are 5 ways for a Soldier to be referred to SUDCC –

1. 1. Self-Identification (Voluntary) – The Soldier goes to his/her chain-of-command and requests to see a counselor for an alcohol and/or drug issue.
2. 2. Commander/Supervisor Identification – A Soldier can be referred in this way if his/her commander becomes aware, observes, or suspects that a Soldier is a substance abuser.
3. 3. Biochemical Identification – A Soldier that comes up with a positive result from a urinalysis or a breath/blood alcohol testing method will automatically be referred to the Counseling Center for an evaluation.
4. 4. Medical Identification – Healthcare providers/physicians may refer a Soldier if it is apparent upon examination that the Soldier is abusing alcohol and/or other substance. The Soldier's unit commander will be immediately notified by the referring medical personnel.
5. 5. Investigation and/or apprehension – Soldiers that are identified by military or civilian law enforcement as being involved in an alcohol and/or drug related incident will be referred to SUDCC for counseling within 72 hours of the incident by the Soldiers' unit commander.

If you are using drugs or abusing alcohol, YOU ARE ALREADY IN TROUBLE, you just haven't been caught yet. You could also cause yourself health problems. If you want to avoid potential long-term problems, self-referral is the way to go.

1. 1. The commander will evaluate and provide periodic feedback to the counselor about the Soldier's duty performance during care.
2. 2. Review ongoing evaluations of the Soldier's progress and participation provided by the SUDCC counselor and meet with the Soldier to discuss the evaluation.
3. 3. Participate in Rehabilitation Team meetings with the SUDCC clinical staff. (Chap 4 of AR 600-85 addresses the rehabilitation process.)
4. 4. Make the final determination of the success or failure of the Soldier's rehabilitation (normally within 3 to 6 months of initial enrollment).

Why does it seem like some individuals never get selected to give a urine sample, while others seem to get picked all the time?

All personnel will give a urine sample for testing annually; however, there is no set schedule for this. Personnel are selected at random by the Drug Testing Program once your UPL has input your unit's personnel roster. For example: if your unit has 135 personnel assigned, then you have a 1 in 135 chance of being selected. The software doesn't discriminate on who it picks for the next urinalysis.

Services are authorized for all ID Card holders authorized medical services in a military medical facility, and personnel eligible for services under the Federal Civilian Employees Occupational Health Services program.

Every urine sample is tested for THC, Cocaine, and Amphetamines. Tests for the other drugs are done on a random rotational basis; these drugs include Opiates, Barbiturates, LSD, and PCP. Tests for Steroids are done as a probable cause test only. If you suspect a Soldier is on a specific substance that is not regularly tested for, notify the Drug Testing Coordinator (DTC) or the Urinalysis Lab when your UPL turns in the unit's samples for testing.

Soldier will be given a breathalyzer test and if result is above the limit the Soldier will be referred to SUDCC. Commander may take UCMJ or administrative action against the Soldier.

Your medical provider can refer you to smoking cessation classes.

No; marijuana is still classified as a Schedule I substance by the Drug Enforcement Agency and is illegal according to the federal government.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Inpatient Programs.

Not necessarily. Please click here for more information or speak to your first line supervisor.

The same rules apply internationally if it’s illicit in the United States.

Binge drinking is defined as a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 g/dl or above. This typically happens when men consume 5 or more drinks or women consume 4 or more drinks in about 2 hours. (Source: CDC)

It will remain a part of your permanent record.

The same policies and procedures apply to everyone, regardless of rank.

Please schedule a doctor’s appointment as soon as possible to address any and all concerns.