The Unspoken Trauma: Navigating Post-Military Life and Its Hidden Challenges

Uncover the hidden challenges of post-military life with Garret Biss, a retired Marine Corps Pilot, addiction recovery coach, and TEDx Speaker. Garret shares his deeply personal journey of overcoming anxiety, depression, and a lost sense of identity after leaving the service. In this powerful episode, Garret, along with Clare Waismann, M-RAS/SUDCC II and David Livingston, LMFT highlight the critical need for individualized care, the profound impact of mentorship, and the importance of redefining purpose beyond the battlefield. Listen as they discuss how veterans can rebuild, recover, and find new meaning in civilian life, with a call to action that challenges outdated approaches to veteran care.   Summary:

1. Facing the Void: Garret Biss shares his experience with the deep sense of loss and disconnection many veterans face when transitioning to civilian life, a topic often overlooked.
2. Redefining Purpose: Clare Waismann emphasizes the importance of finding new meaning and purpose post-service, likening the transition to a superhero being stripped of their powers, yet still needing to find value in everyday life.
3. The Power of Connection: David Livingston discusses the essential role of connection and community in recovery, noting that veterans often struggle with the loss of the deep bonds formed during service.
4. Challenging the Status Quo: Clare calls for a shift in how we approach veteran care, advocating for updated, individualized treatment that goes beyond medication to address the root causes of addiction and mental health struggles.
5. Mentorship as a Lifeline: Garret shares how mentorship was key to his recovery, offering a path to self-worth, identity, and renewed passion, and encourages others to seek similar support systems.

A Podcast to Answer Your Questions on Addiction