VA the path to sobriety

Today, Gary Duncan is 50 years sober. His sobriety journey has taken him from the depths of despair to the heights of recovery.

In the early years of his life, the Navy Veteran was spiraling out of control. His first marriage collapsed due to alcohol abuse and his second marriage ended early when his wife’s life was taken by a drunk driver. Alcohol became a crutch for him and was a way to numb the pain and to silence the demons that tormented him.

Duncan was at the end of himself. But even broken and in his darkest moments, a flicker of hope and light came to him. He knew he could not continue that path. He knew he needed help.

Duncan remembers his first car ride to his local VA hospital in the back of a police car for detox treatment in 1974. The following day, he returned to the hospital after he was released. He recalled this day being a pivotal moment for him: He was offered the chance to join the Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP) at the Alvin C. York VA in Murfreesboro, but declined.

“You’re the only one who doesn’t get it.”

The following day, he changed his mind and returned to the program. Duncan’s mother drove him to Murfreesboro and had a very forthright and truthful conversation with him when she said something he would always remember: “Gary, everyone sees how you live except you. You’re the only one who doesn’t get it.”

At first, he was skeptical. He had been drinking heavily for years. But the staff at Alvin C. York VA saw a glimmer of hope in him. They offered him a bed, a warm meal and a chance to start over.

Duncan attended therapy sessions, joined support groups and began to rebuild his life. The road to recovery was not easy, but with the support of VA and newfound friends he made in the recovery program, he persevered.

RRTP, located at Alvin C. York VA, is a voluntary program that provides high quality, comprehensive programming using Veteran-centered practices. The program offers state-of-the-art residential rehabilitation and treatment services for Veterans with treatment for substance use disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“The kindness he saw at VA gave him hope”

“Each Veteran is assigned to an individual therapist and receives one-on-one care. Veterans are involved in programs throughout the day that includes groups sessions such as occupational therapy. Whole Health and dietitians are involved. It’s definitely a broader scope of treatment.  RRTP is connected to a lot of different services,” said Michael Gulley, Tennessee Valley VA psychiatric nurse practitioner.

With years of issues, Duncan’s turning point was not simple. However, the kindness he saw at VA gave him hope to try anew.

“I had been in numerous situations with detox and programs, and I could not quit drinking. When I arrived at VA, it was the kindness of the staff and the program itself that really touched me. I look back at that and it was the starting point for my recovery. I also looked to God as I understood him due to the witness of family and friends,” Duncan said.

“We have done a really good job with being more individualized in Veteran care and matching the needs of the program to what the Veteran feels like their needs are when they come in,” Gulley added.

Today, Duncan is 50 years sober. Forty-five years of marriage, nine children and 23 grandchildren are a testament and a reminder of his journey. “I have a life I could not have imagined if not for this opportunity from VA.”