A Veterans Journey to Sobriety: “Life is Life Again”

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  There is no single cause of suicide.  It is often the result of complex interactions and a multitude of factors at the individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels.  Though not deemed a primary cause of suicidal ideations, substance abuse can elevate risk factors that can lead to these ideations. For those suffering from substance abuse, there is hope you can enjoy life again just like Veteran Ty Patterson. 

Today, you can find Ty Patterson (69) working at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center.  Ty is employed through VA’s Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) Program assisting Veterans and family members in the facility’s Resource Center.  And he is happy!  His journey to this point was not easy. “I finally got to a point where I was simply sick and tired of being ‘sick and tired’.  I had to make a change.”

Ty married in 1974 and with a need to provide insurance coverage for his pregnant wife and eventually their child, he enlisted in the United States Navy.  He served from 1975 to 1979 as an Aviation Electricians Mate. Following his discharge from the Navy, he enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard for another 7 years working in communications.  

He moved to Texas to work as an electrician in a machine shop for a few years then back to Pennsylvania. “I didn’t really stay in one place too long.” His longest employment tenure was with Ryman Engineering and New Castle School of Trades where he stayed 10 years each.  “I taught electrical engineering and really enjoyed the work.  I would have stayed longer but got laid off.”  He continued to “job hop” around until he eventually was able to retire. 

His substance abuse started after he enlisted in the Navy.  He started drinking more and more and then he began using drugs – a variety of drugs.  The drugs were readily available, and he took advantage of that availability.   His substance abuse led to a divorce and estrangement from his children, family members, and close friends.  He found himself in financial distress spending what money he had to support his habits.  He led a nomadic lifestyle moving around and having very little supports in his life to help him through some of his darkest times. 

At his worst, he never experienced suicidal ideations.  “You would think that with everything I had going on in my life that I would have had these thoughts.  But I never did even with my increased anxiety and depression.  However, I knew others who were struggling just like me who were having these thoughts.  We were in the same boat, so I would reach out and try to just be there for them, listening…to let them know they were not alone. I think that is the important thing – that you are not alone.”

At some point Ty made the decision to enter Butler VA’s drug and alcohol residential treatment program. “I went through this program 3 times! I wasn’t ready the first couple of times…I didn’t have a reason to get clean and sober.  It wasn’t until I came through the last time that I finally was ready to make the commitment to change.”  The main difference this time was that he met someone who was enjoying life sober and was genuinely happy.  “I said to myself ‘I want that!’  I forgot what life was like being sober.  I wanted my life back.  I wanted my family back. I needed to get clean and sober because my health depended on it.” 

Committed to making the changes he needed to make, Ty took advantage of the many supportive programs offered to him such the Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD) After Care program and Whole Health.  He maintains his regular VA provider appointments and works with his team to ensure he is on track with his treatment plan and goals.  He has supports in his life again, family and friends whom he engages with on a regular basis.  He participates in Butler VA’s Creative Arts Program that provides a therapeutic outlet for managing his anxiety and depression.  He completed the Guitars 4 Veterans program and has contributed drawings to the Creative Arts Festival.   “I have submitted my drawings before and plan to do so again this year.” 

Ty has been drawing his entire life and maintains a sketch book of various objects and scenes. “Drawing helps me when I need to take my mind off of the stresses of life.  I have always fallen back on this to help me when things got to be too much.” He also states he is an avid Soduku fan and finds this to be an outlet as well. 

“I love the work I do at the VA.  I am happy to be where I am today.  I have a relationship with my children and grand-children and my mother who is 90 years old.  I am clean and sober. I quit smoking four years ago.  My health is not great, but its good.  I get great care and support from the VA.  And, I have friends who support me. Life is life again!” 

Using drugs and alcohol was a very large part of Ty’s life for many years that affected not only his physical health, but his emotional and relationship health.  The changes he made took time, but with persistence, encouragement, and support, he is finally at a place in life where he is simply happy! 

Everyone can be part of the solution by checking in with the Veterans in their life. To learn more, visit VA.gov/REACH/spread-the-word or VA Mental Health Services | Veterans Affairs.