Need advice on getting a friend some help.

[phantomson9]

Hey guys. First let me thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for serving out country and for sacrificing a part of yourself so that me and my family can enjoy the freedoms we enjoy everyday.

Also I was wondering if some of you might be able to give me some advice. A very close friend of mine served in the Airforce and was sent to Iraq back in 2004/2005. He was an EMT and the only thing he has ever told me is that 80-90% of the people he treated were children. I know he has PTSD but recently he began drinking heavily. He got a DUI a few weeks ago and last night wondered off from his house and was found passed out drunk in a park by his brother. When he was taken to the hospital for alcohol poisoning his blood alcohol content was .48 and the doctors were amazed that he wasnt more seriously ill.

I went to see him today and he seemed distant and disconnected which is strange. I can't even begin to understand what he has seen and been through so I dont want to tell him I know where he is coming from so i am reaching out to my calguns brothers in service for some advice. What can i do to try and get him some help? Are their VA services that he can get into? Obviously i will be there for him and make sure that i keep in touch with him. But its new territory for me and i dont want to make things worse.

Thank you guys again and have a great day.

[rvicta]

I have a friend that has worked with veterans suffering from PTSD and other ailments. If you're interested, PM me and I can contact him to see if he can recommend anyone.

[repo4sale]

This happens to many service personnel... % I don't know. Seen it in a few Seals too, Hawaii & California. . Very sad ...

Sent from my SM-G386T1

[coryhenry]

Find the local VA office and take him in.

[MRX9989]

Veterans Crisis Line

1-800-273-8255, Option 1
veteranscrisisline.net
text: 838255

[Porter707]

Veterans Crisis Line

1-800-273-8255, Option 1
veteranscrisisline.net
text: 838255

^ This, I was trying to find my card earlier and couldn't find it before work.

If he's like most veterans he's not going to want to talk about it. Hell it took me about 3 months of bi-weekly visits to the local VA clinic before I started talking about my crap. Then they wanted to throw me right into group therapy.

The nice thing about the Veterans Crisis Line is it's run 24/7 he does not have to provide any information that he does not want to and he remains anonymous if he'd like.

Also, check in with him from time to time, let him know you are there to talk or if he needs help, no matter the time. If he's single make sure he's not alone a lot, take him out, go play golf, watch a movie, get a beer, etc. When you're alone and drinking the bad thoughts start racing (trust me I know).

[jarhead714]

First, you need to call him out on him ****ing up. Maybe even whip his *** a little. Let him know he's not right and he needs to fix himself like yesterday. Be a man and start caring for himself because most of the world doesn't give a **** about him or his problems. Make him accept yours and others help.

[phantomson9]

Thank so much guys. I already told him that as soon as he is out I'm coming over every morning and waking him up to go on a run or work out. Excercise should help a little. I am also passing that VA crisis number along to him. You guys rock thanks again!