Are There Any Other Military Members On Here Who Self Referred
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Okinawa, Japan
Posts: 7
Are There Any Other Military Members On Here Who Self Referred
I am in the military and I did a self referral for alcohol addiction last week. I am interested in how others have been treated an the processes that they went through. They will be keeping a close eye on me and sending me to group sessions and mandating AA. And also I will most likely be going to rehab. Anyone else on here been through it in the military. By the way, today was my first day sober after several years of drinking every day. I have been super antsy all evening. They gave me some valium for withdrawls. I didn't want to take it, but I decided I am going to take one to go to sleep. But definately not the 3 a day they recommended. I need to be sober for 5 days to start the inpatient rehab. Wish me luck!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Alaska
Posts: 1,458
I am a military wife who sought help at the hospital here. Never got admitted for the detox part. Mostly because I didn't really "come out" to my primary physician until like 3 or 4 weeks into it.
I was never ordered to go to AA but then both my therapists knew that time for me was always at a premium because the only time I could do much was when I took Leave without pay (or LWOP) once a week. Evenings were no good because I have a son that I would have to be with and hubby could never relieve me.
Amusingly enough, hubby has told his coworkers and a few of his superiors but usually the "mission" at work is more important than letting a soldier off to go take care of his kid while his wife attends AA.
I am now going on my 7th month of sobriety. As of about a month ago I would see a therapist and an addiction specialist once a week.
Now I see the therapist every few weeks and my addiction counselor has left her job (she will SOOO be missed!)
I also go to the gym quite a bit, hubby helps me in the day to day as much as he can. Unfortunately he has also not been able to attend any sort of therapist for family members of alcoholics so while he stands beside me he doesn't always get what I'm talking about.
I also keep a daily journal here where I talk about whatever I feel like talking about that day. The early entries, I'm sure, are more entertaining to a recovering alcoholic than later on. Now a days I just ramble on about junk.
Mostly it's my way of staying accountable to myself and to others here as there are some that I know follow what I write to kind of keep up with me.
So there it is.
I was never ordered to go to AA but then both my therapists knew that time for me was always at a premium because the only time I could do much was when I took Leave without pay (or LWOP) once a week. Evenings were no good because I have a son that I would have to be with and hubby could never relieve me.
Amusingly enough, hubby has told his coworkers and a few of his superiors but usually the "mission" at work is more important than letting a soldier off to go take care of his kid while his wife attends AA.
I am now going on my 7th month of sobriety. As of about a month ago I would see a therapist and an addiction specialist once a week.
Now I see the therapist every few weeks and my addiction counselor has left her job (she will SOOO be missed!)
I also go to the gym quite a bit, hubby helps me in the day to day as much as he can. Unfortunately he has also not been able to attend any sort of therapist for family members of alcoholics so while he stands beside me he doesn't always get what I'm talking about.
I also keep a daily journal here where I talk about whatever I feel like talking about that day. The early entries, I'm sure, are more entertaining to a recovering alcoholic than later on. Now a days I just ramble on about junk.
Mostly it's my way of staying accountable to myself and to others here as there are some that I know follow what I write to kind of keep up with me.
So there it is.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Laurel, MD
Posts: 8
I admit that I fear that my career would suffer drastically if I self-referred. My clearance, position, and future in my field would all be at risk. That being said, i'm seeking the resources I feel are appropriate off-post in order to seek the help I need without the negative military consequences.
Cheers to you for being brave enough to do it right, though - I hope you get the help you need.
Cheers to you for being brave enough to do it right, though - I hope you get the help you need.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Okinawa, Japan
Posts: 7
Thanks everyone for your kind words. I am 4 days sober now. Went to my first AA meeting last night. It was a womans meeting and they made me feel really welcome. I will be leaving next week to New Bridge Foundation in California for rehab. They have a program tailored to military members. I am looking forward to learning some tools that will help me learn to live sober. I know it will always be in the back of my mind, but
I am so ready for this!
I am so ready for this!
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: South Texas
Posts: 3
Awesome, one thing you have to consider, your military career or living...no brainer! also, due to hepa , nobody needs to know. You take of you and I'm sure whatever branch your in will survive. Lean Forward in the Straps!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Okinawa, Japan
Posts: 7
Fortunately in my branch of service, there is no repercussion for self referral for alcohol dependency. They would rather have you healthy, mission ready and out of trouble. Drug use is obviously a different story. But once you are on a treatment plan, you are expected to follow it. They realize there may be hiccups, but those are dealt with on a case by case basis.
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