Geno was sober for years after serving in the Marine Corps. But one drink on a business trip undid his hard work, and he fell into a life of alcohol use disorder, isolation, and recklessness. With support from several VA programs, Geno reclaimed his sobriety and his pride in serving, improving his health and outlook on life.
View Video TranscriptGeno:
Hello, my name is Geno. I served in the United States Marine Corps from the years 1979 to 1985.
The greatest challenge I had in the Marine Corps was, I drank. Early on, I got in trouble and I went through a rehabilitation program, and after 3 years of Marine Corps service I was clean and sober. That sobriety lasted for 20 years.
I had an assignment going to South Africa and they offered complimentary drinks on the airplane and I took my first drink. Six months later I was drinking on weekends, a year later I was drinking every day. That’s spiraled into a 10-year cycle of drinking on a constant basis.
I really went into depression, aloneness. The relationships that I had encouraged my drinking, so I hung out with other people who drank either as much or more than I did. I was homeless for approximately 7 years. I would stay with friends that would kind of support my self-abuse, and sometimes during a blackout I would get very violent and have no recall of it the next day. It got to the point where even the people that I was staying with could no longer tolerate my behavior.
I was so alone and so isolated and so angry that, you know, for me to actually ask for help was a big stretch. What I did was I sought help through the Veterans Administration, and I went through their Intensive Rehabilitation Program.
The process of my recovery, the first 3 months I was totally in the fog. After I came out of the fog, then I had to deal with my anger issues, that took about a year. I had an acute case of Post Traumatic Stress. In the Marine Corps I lived a violent life and all that stuff started to surface. All the guilt, all the shame, all the anger and repressed emotions.
Being in a safe environment through the VA, it allowed me to express those feelings and do it where it was appropriate. Listening to other Veterans share their stories allowed me to actually have that camaraderie and realize that I wasn’t alone when dealing with the mental fluctuations of my emotions. That took about a year before I could even like start relating to people. Then it took about another year before I could actually speak right, walk straight, restore my physical health, because I had abused my body by drinking so much. The medical part of the VA helped me with Vitamins, they helped me with having a full checkup, seeing what damage I had done. They actually got me in to a program for nutrition so I could go ahead and bring my body back to being normal.
The biggest thing was the ability to ask for help and to receive the help and to acknowledge the help. I no longer harbor low feelings of self-worth. I feel some pride in, you know, serving in the US Military. I feel like a human being. I realize you know there is a way out. That life can be better. That help is available.
No matter what you may be experiencing, there is support for getting your life on a better track. Many, many Veterans have found the strength to reach out and make the connection.
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To manage upsetting feelings after a nightmare, focus on what's real by touching and describing objects around you. If you're unable to sleep within 15 minutes, leave your bed briefly to wash your hands or drink water while avoiding any strenuous activity. Also, talk to your family, friends, or health care provider about what you're experiencing. They may be able to provide support and help you find solutions. Learn more steps you can take on our Nightmares page.
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There are many options for Veterans who want to cut down on or stop drinking alcohol or using drugs. One option is counseling, either one-on-one or in a group. Another involves medication to help reduce use. A third option is mutual-help groups. You can work with your doctor or counselor and try different types of treatment to find the one that's best for you. Learn more steps you can take on our Alcohol or Drug Misuse page.
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The first step in addressing your challenges is to acknowledge that gambling has become a problem in your life and recognize that it is possible to make a change. Practice relaxation exercises such as deep breathing to manage stress and urges to gamble. Spend time with supportive people who do not gamble, and talk with your family, friends, or health care provider about what you're experiencing. They may be able to provide support and help you find solutions that are right for you. Learn more steps you can take on our Gambling page.
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There are ways to prevent yourself from engaging in risky behavior. Plan to avoid situations that might lead to recklessness. For example, leave early or late to avoid rush-hour traffic, or arrange a ride home if you'll be drinking. Talking with your family members, close friends, or a health care provider may help you find support and resources to address your challenges. Learn more steps you can take on our Reckless Behavior page.
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