Veterans Finding Solace in Alcohol Treatment
By tom57 | June 25, 2009
They told you that you had a tin soldier complex, and you still wonder what they meant by that. A tin soldier is someone who liked being in war and was not happy when they left the military. You had never heard of such a thing before, but maybe they were right. You loved the military and the injury did not serve your desire to be in the military for life. The military gets rid of you when you are injured and you have felt awful for years.
All you wanted to do was get back in the military, but after you visited the VA a few times for your alcohol treatment, it was clear that you would never be well enough for active duty again. Then you got the idea to enter an alcohol rehab center without the military knowing, not even your friends knowing. When the alcohol rehab program began your psych exam, it was clear that maybe the military was your problem. Not for you, but the people kept hammering at you that it was time to think about yourself and not the military.
The job you had in the field for the military was far too demanding and you could not do it again as a sober person. The more they spoke to you in private sessions the more you knew they were right. It was a demanding job in the military, but it was satisfying on some levels for you. Now the counselors had you going to group sessions and you found that many of the problems you had were similar to other people’s problems. Addiction treatment does not have to be a lonely time for anyone. There are people getting drug detox treatment just like you.
No longer are you the Lone Ranger…ranger, you always liked the sound of that word and loved the patches on your arms. Now, after exiting the alcohol rehab center, you wonder what will take the place of those patches, maybe phone calls from loved ones that gave up on you months ago; it certainly would be fine to have phone calls again. Maybe even your buddies from the military will want to visit again. However, now is not the time to dream, it is time to rediscover other areas of your life that you put on hold for the military.
A new life and new beginning is awaiting you as soon as your addiction treatment ends. However, it will be a tough road, similar to the military life. Except this time, you are completely in charge. There will be meetings to attend and decisions to make and you feel empowered to take charge of your life again. Feeling bad about no more military service but there are a host of other areas that you can give to others and your country. Public service groups need you and you feel you have something to offer: a new and better you.
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