In Close Contact

Battling the enemy, alcoholism, and post-traumatic stress disorder--often at the same time--requires superhuman strength. Truth of it is: it's outside of human ability to do so for very long. Many times, the harder battle is the one found when the physical fight is over. PTSD and substance abuse are in a spiraling symbiotic relationship that gets worse over time and has claimed countless lives of service members, police, and other first responders. Those trained to run to the sound of the guns often don't have the capacity to recognize when they are outgunned and refuse or don't know how to seek help. Often they also believe that they are the only ones facing these personal battles. This book is meant to shed light on those battles from a firsthand perspective, both physical, mental, and spiritual.As a Special Forces (also known as Green Berets) soldier, I found myself at the lowest point of my life. When I ran out of my own answers and bravado, I was led to the solution to the problems I was facing. It wasn't one I would have explored in normal circumstances--it was literally the last place I looked. It took running out of options and being beat to a point I was ready to listen and actually hear.That answer carried me through over a decade of turmoil and chaos and continues to carry me today, provided I rely on Him. There is no way I would be here and able to tell you this story otherwise. Reaching out and asking for help is the first step and often the hardest part.Trust me when I say, I didn't believe it either.