Skip main navigation

Military Health System

Clear Your Browser Cache

This website has recently undergone changes. Users finding unexpected concerns may care to clear their browser's cache to ensure a seamless experience.

What is - Too Much to Lose?

Image of An open bottle of pills, with some spilling out on the table. The Defense Health Agency’s Too Much to Lose campaign provides education and prevention resources to service members focused on the prevention of risky drug use. (Photo by Christine Cabalo, Marine Corps Base Hawaii.)

What is - Too Much to Lose?

Loss of a relationship? Loss of a career? How about loss of the life of a family member or a friend?

What IS– Too – Much - to - Lose??

Recently, the Defense Department launched a new campaign focused on helping service members know the facts and risks related to risky drug use. 

Too Much to Lose focuses on preventing prescription drug misuse and illicit and prohibited drug use. Aligned to the Defense Health Agency, the campaign is “essential to creating optimal outcomes for the health, well-being, and readiness of service members,” said U.S. Public Health Service Capt. Sally Hu, Public Health Division, Total Force Fitness director, DHA.

What does risky drug use mean for service members? 

Risky drug use includes misusing prescription drugs or using illicit or prohibited drugs such as marijuana, hemp, or cannabidiol (also known as CBD) that may be available and often legal in their communities but prohibited for them to use. Service members experience numerous risk factors for risky drug use, including multiple combat deployments, post-traumatic stress disorder, injuries, and chronic pain. 

Too Much to Lose provides education and prevention resources to service members to let them know how risky drug use can negatively impact their health, career, and overall well-being. The campaign covers topics such as how to manage pain, what marijuana legalization means for service members, and how misuse can impact relationships. In addition, it provides resources on non-drug pain management alternatives, and information to help service members stay safe before risky drug use happens.

The campaign complements existing efforts in the DOD, the Services, and among professionals to ensure service members have the information and support they need to understand and address prescription drug misuse and illicit and prohibited drug use. It also provides friends, spouses, co-workers, and family members with the resources to support a service member who may be struggling with or contemplating risky drug use.

Visit toomuchtolose.org to find articles, print materials, and interactive tools such as an anonymous knowledge quiz. 

Contact us for more information about the program.

You also may be interested in...

Article Around MHS
May 26, 2023

Walter Reed Expert Shares Five Ways to Prioritize Mental Health

Dr. Diaz discusses the importance of mental fitness with U.S. Army Pvt. 2 Kaliyah Rowan at the Mental Fitness Information table during Staff Resiliency Week at Walter Reed. Diaz says prioritizing mental health is key to building resilience, and shared five ways staff members can do just that in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. (Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jesse Sharpe, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center)

In today's fast-paced health care environment, it's more important than ever to prioritize mental health to build resilience, and in honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month and Staff Resiliency Week at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Dr. Kristine Diaz, a personnel psychologist, shares five ways staff members can prioritize their ...

Article Around MHS
May 22, 2023

New Mental Health Care Initiative Improves Access to Care and Readiness

A room plaque for the 341st Operational Medical Readiness Squadron mental health flight is pictured inside the base clinic June 23, 2021, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. The mental health flight offers mental health services to active duty members and manages the Family Advocacy and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment programs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Heather Heiney)

For more than a year, the Air Force Medical Service has been rolling out Mental Health Targeted Care, an initiative that helps Airmen and Guardians understand all of the available options for support and connects them to the right resource either in a mental health clinic or outside the military hospital with another supporting agency that best meets ...

Article Around MHS
May 5, 2023

Brandon Act Aims to Improve Mental Health Support

The Brandon Act

Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr., undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, signed a policy today to initiate implementation of the Brandon Act and improve the process for service members seeking mental health support.

Article Around MHS
Apr 17, 2023

Defense Public Health Psychologist Offers Tips to Help Children Cope With Change

Defense Public Health experts say it’s important for parents to maintain a healthy and active attachment with their children by spending at least 20 minutes a day together. This can help military kids and families cope with life changes, like military moves. (Graphic illustration by Graham Snodgrass)

While military kids get to experience many unique and exciting things, they also face many challenges as a result of their parents' service. We've got some expert advice for military parents whose children are adjusting to new schools, separations during their deployments, and other coping skills for military kids to thrive.

Article Around MHS
Mar 8, 2023

Physician Says DOD Focused on Improving Mental Health of Force

Emergency trauma nurses, treat a simulated patient during the Tactical Trauma Reaction and Evacuation Crossover Course at Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland, Texas, Feb. 23, 2023. (Credit: Jason W. Edwards, DOD)

Defense Department health leaders provided testimony today at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez said the department is committing resources with a focus on preventing suicides of military and family members.

Article Around MHS
Feb 15, 2023

Army Restoration and Reconditioning Centers Help Soldiers with Deployment Stress and Optimize Unit Readiness

Military personnel during mindfulness training

Yoga and mindfulness for the warfighter? We take a look inside an Army program's "whole person" approach to help soldiers cope with stressful or traumatic events in combat and other military operations.

Skip subpage navigation
Refine your search
Last Updated: September 28, 2023
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on X Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery