Have you had enough misery and negativity from your substances or other addictions? Good news! There is a ton of help, there are millions like you, and there is a solution called sobriety / recovery. Let this post be your sign to get help right now, yes you!
Veteran Specific Resources
- Dial 988 for Suicide Prevention or a Veteran in Crisis
- Veteran Addiction Hotline: (629) 302-2890
- VA Substance Treatment for Veterans
- VA Substance Use Page
- Veteran Addiction Treatment Guide
- Free Rehab for Veterans
- Veteran Addiction Stats and Rehabs
Start repeating to yourself throughout the day every day, “I am sober and clean today, one day at a time” to get some positive self brainwashing going. Sobriety takes repetitive and habitual behaviors because that’s what addiction was!
Beginning a Recovery Journey as a Vet
I am a two time Iraq veteran that would be dead without AA and now have four years of sobriety (six of no drinking). The easiest thing to do when starting to get sober is familiarize yourself with addiction and recovery. Look up AA or NA meetings near you and actually go for it. You only need to bring a desire to quit in order to go.
Start reading the free AA book here. Look for the similarities that you have. You can always find meetings on Zoom and plenty of recovery talks on Youtube, so you can dip your toes in that way too.
Your local VA or veteran center is a good place to call also. Just know that there is often a wait time for help such as rehabs.
If you really don’t want to talk to anyone, then I suggest learning about addiction and how it applies to you. This initial self-study can get you to the point where you can go to recovery meetings and ask for help in other ways. It’s OK that you’re fucked up, but it’s not OK to stay fucked up!
Learn about the ways your specific substances affect veterans. Read about PTSD online if you are on edge, anxious, having nightmares, your mind is racing, or are just generally stuck. Learn about depression (which can affect all sorts of shit) and the other issues we veterans face.
The ones that make it to long term sobriety are the ones that go to a lot of recovery meetings. We put our sobriety above all else and our lives fall back into place, though in directions that might be surprising and new.
The people in recovery meetings are always ready to greet us with open arms. For me, AA has been a group where I feel I belong for the first time in my life. I never had that growing up and not even in the military to be honest.
I was a blackout drinker for 17 years and a constantly smoking pothead for ten years after getting out. I was completely broken in every way: physcially, spiritually, emotionally, and economically.
My PTSD and depression took me to hellish depths I never thought possible. It lasted way longer than necessary because my substance abuse kept me stuck there. So I know you can recover if I can.
Start studying addiction and recovery. You are seeking a strong and brave path when you ask for help. Everyone can do it, so get connected now. Good luck!
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