If you have a combat vet husband, come in...

SLSeibert1

Hi ladies, My DH was HD for the Army in May, he served two tours in Baghdad, Iraq. Since he has been home he has struggled with PTSD and alcohol abuse.

He went into the ROVER program in August and it appeared that he'd done 180, until about a month after the program he started back with the alcohol and it has gotten progressively worse.

He isn't working and has been watching our DD, which is hard for a mother, but especially a father. I'm wondering if any of you out there have gone through a similar struggle. If so, was there something that helped? DH doesn't want to go to AA meetings, so I'm kind of at a loss for what to try now. TIA

ladybugpjb

DH hasn't had issues, but I just want to say I'm sending T&Ps your way.

SLSeibert1

ladybugpjb:

DH hasn't had issues, but I just want to say I'm sending T&Ps your way.

Thank you so much. I think you're on my BMB too.  

HisChamaoleGirl

SLSeibert1:

Hi ladies, My DH was HD for the Army in May, he served two tours in Baghdad, Iraq. Since he has been home he has struggled with PTSD and alcohol abuse.

He went into the ROVER program in August and it appeared that he'd done 180, until about a month after the program he started back with the alcohol and it has gotten progressively worse.

He isn't working and has been watching our DD, which is hard for a mother, but especially a father. I'm wondering if any of you out there have gone through a similar struggle. If so, was there something that helped? DH doesn't want to go to AA meetings, so I'm kind of at a loss for what to try now. TIA

He may not want to go too aa for his alcohol issues, but is he being treated for his PTSD? I've found that a combination of counseling and or medication works wonders.  

ladybugpjb

SLSeibert1:

ladybugpjb:

DH hasn't had issues, but I just want to say I'm sending T&Ps your way.

Thank you so much. I think you're on my BMB too.  

Yep - I recognized your SN from there and Crafty Moms, I think. I don't think I knew you were a military family, though.

krissywave

We having issues with PTSD as well.  He does not have drinking issues but really bad depression and just wants to be alone.  We found that at the VA they have a few programs for group theapory and a studys they are doing.  We are trying these out.  One of them is so simple he just signs onto the computer they ask a question once a week and he writes his responds.  So he can do this from home.  He only had to go into the VA to sign up.  

I wish you the best.  This is an upward battle but dont give up.   

BLT20051

Call military once source. They can put you in touch with a counselor not only for YH but yourself as well. He can even do counseling online with them. Do not let him make excuses, he needs help and that is all there is to it.

SLSeibert1

*HiS ChAmAoLe GiRL*:

SLSeibert1:

Hi ladies, My DH was HD for the Army in May, he served two tours in Baghdad, Iraq. Since he has been home he has struggled with PTSD and alcohol abuse.

He went into the ROVER program in August and it appeared that he'd done 180, until about a month after the program he started back with the alcohol and it has gotten progressively worse.

He isn't working and has been watching our DD, which is hard for a mother, but especially a father. I'm wondering if any of you out there have gone through a similar struggle. If so, was there something that helped? DH doesn't want to go to AA meetings, so I'm kind of at a loss for what to try now. TIA

He may not want to go too aa for his alcohol issues, but is he being treated for his PTSD? I've found that a combination of counseling and or medication works wonders.  

He is being treated for his PTSD, however he is now going off of his meds because "he doesn't want to take medication" despite his therapists recommendation. His counselor is wonderful, but he isn't taking her suggestions to heart. : / 

SLSeibert1

Bacon+lettuce+tomato:

Call military once source. They can put you in touch with a counselor not only for YH but yourself as well. He can even do counseling online with them. Do not let him make excuses, he needs help and that is all there is to it.

Thanks BLT . We just started seeing a family therapist at the VA and we like him, we go to that on a weekly basis and he sees his therapist on a weekly basis as well. Sometimes I will go with him to his therapy appointment when it has been an especially bad week, she gives him great suggestions to help distract him from the intrusive thoughts/cravings, but he's made no effort to try any of them. 

SLSeibert1

krissywave:

We having issues with PTSD as well.  He does not have drinking issues but really bad depression and just wants to be alone.  We found that at the VA they have a few programs for group theapory and a studys they are doing.  We are trying these out.  One of them is so simple he just signs onto the computer they ask a question once a week and he writes his responds.  So he can do this from home.  He only had to go into the VA to sign up.  

I wish you the best.  This is an upward battle but dont give up.   

Thanks so much.  

cyprissa

Is he connecting to the therapist? She might seem great to you but not be a good fit for him. My DH had some massive anxiety issues after returning from deployment and you might laugh but doing a regular weekly yoga class and cycling (his sport of choice) had a huge positive impact. The yoga helped settle his mind and cycling helped him feel empowered by achieving fitness goals. It sounds hokey but excercise can be a great complimentary therapy to mental health services, you just need to find something that's right for him. Also, sounds like he's self medicating so if you get the PTSD in check the drinking may diminish. Good luck!

iluvmytxrgr

SLSeibert1:

Bacon+lettuce+tomato:

Call military once source. They can put you in touch with a counselor not only for YH but yourself as well. He can even do counseling online with them. Do not let him make excuses, he needs help and that is all there is to it.

Thanks BLT . We just started seeing a family therapist at the VA and we like him, we go to that on a weekly basis and he sees his therapist on a weekly basis as well. Sometimes I will go with him to his therapy appointment when it has been an especially bad week, she gives him great suggestions to help distract him from the intrusive thoughts/cravings, but he's made no effort to try any of them. 

I suggest looking for a group session with other vets.  I have a friend who is currently working on a degree in psychology so he can work with other vets who have PTSD.  He found that seeing a counselor who had not been in combat and had no idea what he has been through only made him angry and frustrated.  He felt like that person had no right to tell him what he should do to help himself if he had never been through it.  He's working to be able to help others.  In the mean time, he's found a group that gets together once a week.  Sometimes, they talk about their issues.  Other times, they just talk about life, go fishing or what ever.  He says he feels normal when he is with those guys and has started to feel normal at home now.  Maybe a group of other vets would help your husband.   

emolm

Bacon+lettuce+tomato:

Call military once source. They can put you in touch with a counselor not only for YH but yourself as well. He can even do counseling online with them. Do not let him make excuses, he needs help and that is all there is to it.

 This.