The Substance Abuse Counseling Center (SACC) serves active duty Marines, active duty Sailors assigned to Marine units, and family members over 18. An individual can either self-refer to the center, which is encouraged, or a referral can be command directed.

The highly trained SACC staff performs assessments to those who come to the center. These assessments take biological, psychological, and social issues into account to determine whether the individual meets or does not meet criteria for a substance related disorder.

If there is evidence of drug or alcohol abuse or dependency, the individual is placed in treatment according to the severity of the problem.

Treatment Options 
(All includes individual and group sessions)

• Outpatient Program – Available at SACC two half-days per week. 
• Intensive Outpatient Program – Substance Abuse Recovery Program (SARP)
  at Pearl Harbor; 9-18 hours (or 4 ½ days) per week
• Tri-Services Addiction Recovery Facility (TRISARF) – 5 full days per week
  (0730-1600) of outpatient treatment at Tripler Army Medical Center
• Residential Treatment Program – Located in Point Loma, CA

Education

If there is no disorder, the individual is referred to the Alcohol Impact Education Program. This program takes place at SACC over two full days and meets state regulations for someone who received an OVUII (off base) or DUI (on base).

Referrals

The SACC staff takes an interdisciplinary approach to each case, involving psychiatrists, state certified substance abuse counselors, as well as marriage and family therapists. The initial assessment is extremely comprehensive, and the counselor will look for evidence of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), other mental health disorders, as well as financial or marital problems. Referrals are available for personal issues not related to a substance use disorder. 

Outreach

SACC provides unit briefings and outreach to the local off-base community. The staff brings Marines & Sailors to elementary and intermediate schools to help
de-glamorize the use of alcohol and talk about the effects of illegal drugs.

Confidentiality

SACC abides by Federal guidelines for patient confidentiality. Per Marine Corps Order, there are no repercussions for a Marine who self-refers for alcohol use, provided there have been no incidents (such as DUI). If you are found to be using illegal drugs or are in need of alcohol misuse treatment, you will be given the opportunity to let your command know, or SACC can talk to your command for you.