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zone, and every time he redeployed the need to be in the war-zone was simply reinforced. His story ends well, but for many it does not.
We all know and read news stories of the mental anguish with which soldiers return home. By-products of this are anxiety and depression. Sometimes it leads alcohol and/or drug abuse. Other times it leads to physical violence. Sometimes, as we know, it can lead to suicide. I have known someone in each of those categories — and perhaps you have as well.
In my capacity as a private practice attorney, I have — and continue to — work with clients in getting them psychological help. This is often in the context of me helping them fight for their security clearance or their job. In fact, as I write his chapter, just earlier today I was on the phone with a mental health professional coordinating a referral for a client. I do this because I am helping them fight for their careers. I also do this because it is the right thing to do for them as a fellow human being.
I recently represented an individual who is a military officer and who served in highly sensitive operations overseas. Upon returning from multiple special assignments in a variety of locations, he began self-medicating as part of coping with stress. His self- medicating began with increased alcohol consumption and gradually morphed into the officer purchasing prescription drugs absent a prescription via the dark web. At one point, he had a realization that what he was doing was not just illegal, but physically harmful to himself — and his growing family.
The officer did something brave. He self-referred himself to a military hospital, informed his chain-of-command, and got help. His senior officers and colleagues were 100% supportive, and he has since rebounded tremendously. He has been successful
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