Not only did Vietnam immediately and physically affect now-retired Brigadier General Stanley Cherrie, the ghosts of the war have continued to haunt him decades later.

After having his right leg, right hand and part of his left heel mangled by stepping on a land mine in Vietnam, General Cherrie began drinking heavily, resulting in leading the life of, what he calls, a “functioning alcoholic”. He remained in the military despite his injuries and his private fight to stay sober. In 2010 his private fight became public as he collapsed in front of his fellow comrades at a gala event. Initially reluctant to be forthcoming with his struggle with alcohol, General Cherrie knew that the only way he could remain alive was to enter into alcohol rehab.

“What a story of triumph for a man who gave everything for his country,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center. “His story can shine as a beacon for soldiers who are currently returning home from war and facing alcohol and/or drug dependence. It shows them that if a retired General can face his alcoholism, they can too.”

The United States military recognizes that soldiers returning from wartime do, indeed, have an increased risk for alcoholism and substance abuse. Three years ago the Army created a program at a half-dozen or so bases that allows soldiers to obtain drug and alcohol rehab without being required to inform their supervisors.

Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center understands the struggles that soldiers and their families go through when returning home from service overseas. The unique individualized recovery program is recognized as one of the most comprehensive and individualized in the treatment field. Mountainside assists clients and their families from the very beginning of their journey by offering professional intervention services should they be needed.

Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center is a modern drug rehab facility that is skilled in serving a variety of clients with various addictions and in varying stages of addiction. The caring, compassionate team is made up of licensed and certified social workers and counselors who have extensive experience and specialty in the addiction treatment field. In addition, the staff includes a Nurse Practitioner, as well as a Registered Nurse, both of whom also have specializations and experience within the field of addiction treatment and alcohol rehab.

Via EPR Network
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