Course Correction: an infantry soldier's recovery journey

Can you imagine losing your inner most circle--the people who knew you best--and not knowing where to turn with your emotions? Alex, an Army infantry Veteran doesn’t need their imagination for this scenario and is able to share their story because of the strength gained with the treatment received at both the White River Junction (WRJ) VA Medical Center in Vermont and VA Bedford Healthcare System in Massachusetts.

Alex joined the Army as an infantry soldier and deployed to Kuwait with Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon return from deployment, the unit was reassigned to new units, ones that were established and whose members had gone through training together. They instantly missed the comradery shared within the unit they deployed alongside. Alex felt alone, missing the shared experiences of their military “family” and support system.

When Alex returned home after three years of service, they didn’t know where to turn or how to talk about their feelings. Opioids seemed to dull these uncomfortable feelings. They began to spiral and surround themself with people who enabled their opioid addiction; Alex pushed everyone else away.

“I knew I needed to change,” Alex explained. “I tried many outpatient rehabs but I never changed my environment or the people I spent my time with. If you hang out in a barbershop, you are going to get a haircut.”

Linda Stone of White River Junction VA, an addiction therapist and the Residential Recovery Center’s (RRC) program manager, explained that people, places, things, and how you handle your emotions are all key ingredients to good mental health and successful recovery.

Alex soon overdosed.

With their family’s encouragement, they looked to VA for assistance.

“I didn’t know there were so many resources for me at the VA for Veterans struggling like I was.”

Alex applied and was accepted into White River Junction VA’s RRC program. This program is a 14-bed residential rehabilitation treatment program led by the highly trained Mental Health and Behavioral Health staff. The program is located on the campus of the Medical Center in Vermont and designed to help residents gain stability in their recovery from addiction, as well as to provide evidence-based treatments for co-occurring mental health problems. The approach is to assist residents in appreciating their individual strengths and skills as well as personal preferences that will support their recovery.

“I tell each resident that they are on their own recovery journey and the resident next to you is on their own journey that suits them,” Stone said. “This is not a one size fits all but a spectrum of journeys we travel on with each resident. What works for you may not work for me or him or her.”

Stone and her team at the RRC customize treatment but first want to know, “Are alcohol and/or substances creating problems that you want to do something about? What are you willing to do?”

The RRC’s program utilizes a model of care that is based on peer and professional support with a strong emphasis on personal responsibility for one’s behavior and health, and responsibility to the community. Group therapy sessions and a variety of support therapies like recreational therapy, art therapy and mindfulness are used to promote skill development while learning strategies to better regulate emotion and reduce mental health issues.

Alex was welcomed by Stone and a few other Veterans upon arrival at the RRC.

“Linda was so warm and welcoming,” Alex said of their first day at the RRC. “I was instantly comforted. I quickly began group [therapy]. This was my first inpatient group experience and hearing other Veterans share their stories and experiences was my first step forward.”

Soon Army Veteran and WRJ VA Peer Specialist Dale Pushee joined a group session.

“Dale changed me. He is the whole reason I am where I am today. Hearing his story and seeing his honesty really made it feel like I wasn’t alone, and I could still be something.”

In VA, Peer Specialists are VA employees in recovery from mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders who help other Veterans to successfully engage in mental health and substance use treatment.

“I facilitate evidence-based groups that support the RRC program,” Pushee said. “I share aspects of my own recovery as they correlate to the group. I also offer to meet with the Veterans while they are there and, when possible, I continue to work one-on-one with them after they discharge from the program.”

Pushee also helps Veterans connect with a Peer Specialist closer to their home whether they are in the Twin States or from another VA Medical Center.

Alex regularly participated in Recreation Therapy during their RRC stay and learned new hobbies that would help them to successfully reintegrate into the community.

“Jen Stark, the rec therapist, really knew how to help boost our confidence and enjoy our time at the VA,” Alex said. “I learned wheelchair basketball, sled hockey, and so much more.”

“The White River Junction VA gave me hope, helped me learn to forgive myself and helped me gain back my family. I didn’t realize how bad I made my relationship with my family until White River Junction VA helped me stand again.”

Soon Alex was at a point in their recovery where they could transfer to VA Bedford Healthcare System’s Domiciliary Program in Bedford, Massachusetts.

VA Bedford’s Domiciliary is a 100-day residential program for homeless Veterans with co-occurring mental health and/or substance abuse related concerns. The Domiciliary provides group and individual psychotherapy along with vocational rehabilitation, re-entry services, recreation therapy, and individualize recovery services to promote independence and ongoing recovery. An interdisciplinary team works alongside residents to meet a variety of needs for issues related to mental health, medical complexities, vocational goals, housing, discharge planning, and criminal justice involvement.

It was at the Domiciliary where Alex learned skills to maintain a job and saw a posting for Peer Specialist training. Alex thought again about Pushee and applied. They took the training while living at Crescent House Transitional Residence Program in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Crescent House is a unique rehabilitation program offered by VA Bedford designed to intervene in the cycle of homelessness and institutionalization.

“We provide an environment in which Veterans, of all gender identifications, can acquire skills and supports needed to function productively and independently, in competitive employment, as a full-time student and in community-based housing,” Cheryl Coviello, Crescent House program manager said. “Veterans engage in holistic case management which promotes health and wellbeing through partnering with Veterans around their recovery goals.”

After getting the Peer Specialist certification, Alex gained experience in the private sector prior to beginning their employment with VA. For more than two years, Alex has been using life experiences to help fellow Veterans and is most grateful for the collaboration of the VA clinicians across New England that helped get their life back.

“There’s help out there. Mental health and substance use issues don’t discriminate.” Alex urges fellow Veterans struggling to, “Take control, make a change. Reach out, say something, don’t suffer in silence. As corny and cliche as it might sound, you served your country and now it’s time for your country to serve you. The VA quite literally saved my life; maybe it will save yours!”