“I grew up in Flint, MI, where my childhood was shaped by my parents’ struggles with addiction and mental health. Our family was infamous for drunken fights in the yard, chaotic scenes, and endless arrests. Tragically, we also lost friends and relatives far too young to gang violence, suicide, and drugs.
But I was lucky to have one stable, loving adult in my life who always reminded me that what I was experiencing wasn’t normal and that I was meant for something better. Eventually, I left Michigan behind, boarding a one-way flight to Florida with just a carry-on bag and $100 to my name. I built a new life there – got married, had a child, and started a small business.
I’m also a military spouse and have endured five deployments, with all the stress and challenges that military life brings. Over time, that stress became too much to carry, and I turned to alcohol to cope. What started as casual drinking turned into full-blown alcohol use disorder. I never got a DUI or faced legal trouble, but my mental health, marriage, and business were falling apart. I was terrified that asking for help would ruin my husband’s career, so I kept silent and tried to quit on my own, failing over and over.
Eventually, I realized I was creating the same painful childhood for my own child that I had fought so hard to escape. It became clear: I could either get sober or end up in an early grave. After a panic attack from yet another hangover, I finally reached my breaking point and checked myself into a 60-day rehab program. It was scary, but it changed my life.
Today, I’ve been sober for almost two years. I’ve lost 20 pounds, my anxiety is nearly gone, depression is a thing of the past, my marriage is strong, and my kids and I are happy.
We often talk about veterans and substance abuse, but we forget the spouses and families who are suffering silently without support. If you’re in that place right now, please know that seeking rehab is a medical intervention protected under HIPAA. It won’t impact your spouse’s career – but it can save your life.”