A Veteran’s Reflection on Sobriety and Repairing Relationships
Usually I steer clear of family because I don't wanna be ridiculed. Don't tell me what I need to be doing. But now that I'm sober, it's just the opposite. I want 'em to be around me, I want 'em to talk to me.
My name is Russell. I was US Army. I was a 91 Charlie and my years in service was from 1976 to 1983. My father was in the Army and I just wanted to serve.
I went to Fort Sam Houston for my medical training. I loved it there. It was an easy transition. I didn't have no issues 'cause I was married while I was in the Army. I started working for the VA Medical Center and then I started working for the post office and then I was introduced to crack cocaine by a family member. This was like in '86 and that was the beginning of my demise. It tore me apart. It tore my life apart. It didn't matter how I got it. I was taking from my family, rent money that my wife had, and it stayed that way for about 10, 15 years. My children were afraid of me. My wife didn't want me around anymore.
After I was out of the house, I ended up on Skid Row. I became a career criminal. I went to every jail they had here in LA. Pulled myself up by the bootstraps and sought help. I faltered after the first time, but then I picked myself up again, 'cause the second time, after I relapsed, I ended back on Skid Row, 'cause I was familiar with that.
Migrated to San Bernardino through the VA program. The ATU is what it was called at that time. It's a drug treatment program. Got it together. I don't think you could ever get it right, but I got a better grasp on the treatment.
I had a psychologist, psychiatrist, whichever that was. She was pretty effective. We had a group of Vets from different eras. You had other people there that related to what you were saying. We have something to share with each other. We have a camaraderie. Changed behaviors, you know, going, like I said, going to places that are actually red flags for me. It helped me stay on track for what I needed to do to recover.
I have relationship with my family and my children. I can focus on projects. I have friends, like I have Brandon, that when I see him, he goes to work and comes over to my building every once in a while, we play dominoes, and it keeps me focused on something positive. It's a lot better than it was. A lot better.
Yeah, I think that I might be able to have an impact on another Veteran or just another person, period. So as far as my story is concerned, my resolve, it's still not really resolved because it's always ongoing. Every single day, I have to practice what I'm doing to stay sober.
If things just go bad, seek help. You know, usually if they're a service member, seek your local VA, because they have the resources.
