Journey From Despair to Hope
Journey from Despair to Hope – In the past 11 years, over 1.3 million American service personnel have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nearly 30% of them have returned home with traumatic brain injury, Post Traumatic Stress or both. Some dealt with these issues by self medicating with drugs and alcohol. Most veterans cannot find work. Some have become homeless. Since 2009, the number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans assisted at VVSD has increased five-fold. And this is just the beginning. VVSD expects the number to increase many times over in the coming years. In this emotional video some of the young veterans discuss their issues and how VVSD has assisted them.
How One Blind Veteran Triumphed Over Injuries And Drug Abuse
Filed under: drug abuse help for veterans
When Dennis Cadigan returned from Vietnam, a Marine machine gunner blinded by an enemy booby trap and addicted to his pain medication, he almost became just another veteran statistic. His dependency on pain medication quickly led to a full blown …
Read more on Business Insider
Support Groups Calendar: Feb. 1-15
Filed under: drug abuse help for veterans
Faith-based 12-step study for alcohol and substance abuse. 404-9536. Brain Injury and Education, 10 a.m. Cumberland Presbyterian Church, state Highway 5 South; (870) 445-5941 or 425-0980. Twin Lakes Ostomy Association, 1 p.m. Donald W. Reynolds …
Read more on Baxter Bulletin
Ramsey Cty. to help vets in criminal trouble
Filed under: drug abuse help for veterans
County officials say some veterans suffer collateral consequences from serving in the military, including post-traumatic stress disorder, or drug abuse and alcoholism. Sometimes, these stressors lead to criminal behavior. Choi says the initiative will …
Read more on Minnesota Public Radio
Our view: Veterans court is good first step
Filed under: drug abuse help for veterans
We owe our veterans more than our thanks. The veterans court program does not give veterans in trouble with the law a free pass, but rather deals with mental or physical issues, chemical abuse or other problems and puts them back on the road to success.
Read more on La Crosse Tribune