War veterans fight off alcoholism
- added July 7, 2008
- 14 responses
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- current89
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- News and Politics (38439)
- Iraq (2000)
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Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans don't just worry about, PTSD, and paying the bills, they have to worry about hitting the bottle.
Excerpt
Most nights when Anthony Klecker, a former marine, finally slept, he found himself back on the battlefields of Iraq. He would awake in a panic, and struggle futilely to return to sleep.
Days were scarcely better. Car alarms shattered his nerves. Flashbacks came unexpectedly, at the whiff of certain cleaning chemicals. Bar fights seemed unavoidable; he nearly attacked a man for not washing his hands in the bathroom.
Desperate for sleep and relief, Mr. Klecker, 30, drank heavily. One morning, his parents found him in the driveway slumped over the wheel of his car, the door wide open, wipers scraping back and forth. Another time, they found him curled in a fetal position in his closet.
Yet only after his drunken driving caused the death of a 16-year-old cheerleader did Mr. Klecker acknowledge the depth of his problem: His eight months at war had profoundly damaged his psyche.
“I was trying to be the tough marine I was trained to be — not to talk about problems, not to cry,” said Mr. Klecker, who has since been diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress disorder. “I imprisoned myself in my own mind.”
End of Excerpt
Credit: New York Times Online. Lizette Alvarez
Excerpt
Most nights when Anthony Klecker, a former marine, finally slept, he found himself back on the battlefields of Iraq. He would awake in a panic, and struggle futilely to return to sleep.
Days were scarcely better. Car alarms shattered his nerves. Flashbacks came unexpectedly, at the whiff of certain cleaning chemicals. Bar fights seemed unavoidable; he nearly attacked a man for not washing his hands in the bathroom.
Desperate for sleep and relief, Mr. Klecker, 30, drank heavily. One morning, his parents found him in the driveway slumped over the wheel of his car, the door wide open, wipers scraping back and forth. Another time, they found him curled in a fetal position in his closet.
Yet only after his drunken driving caused the death of a 16-year-old cheerleader did Mr. Klecker acknowledge the depth of his problem: His eight months at war had profoundly damaged his psyche.
“I was trying to be the tough marine I was trained to be — not to talk about problems, not to cry,” said Mr. Klecker, who has since been diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress disorder. “I imprisoned myself in my own mind.”
End of Excerpt
Credit: New York Times Online. Lizette Alvarez
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Are we ever going to become civalized enough to not do this to our young people or for that matter the world?
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- Marilynn_Murray
- 2 months ago
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What a crock of shit, do not use the excuse of ptsd for being irresponsible. He wasn't forced to drink and drive and takes this girls life.
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Its horrible whats happened to that young girl, a life ended so tragically, but it is equally horrible the damage done to that mans mind. War takes away a persons humanity, but also in many cases of those who survive, it takes away that feeling of ever being safe again. Its not hard to see why someone would pick up a bottle, tie off in the bathroom, or harm themselves in some other way. After being conditioned to live like that for so long, Its amazing if these people can ever re-adjust to the trivialness of the american civilian lifestyle. Its truly a tragedy that this still happens, and that some are willing for more of our youth to go through this very story as part of their life. Hey lets do it right the first time, then when some of these troops come back shattered to the point where they can't function in society right. Triggering senseless deaths of other people, just like that girl, because of the regrettable choices made by those who can't deal. Is it really their faults they can't deal. Its just another cycle of malice,pain, death and tragedy... and for what? definitely not for freedom...
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War effects different people different ways. Some people never get over it. Look at the number of Vietnam vets that ended up living on the streets unable to care for themselves. I'm sure they would take responsibility if they could. There are already Iraq vets on the streets. It breaks some people. If you survived mentally I'm happy for you, some didn't.
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- Marilynn_Murray
- 2 months ago
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So what are saying we should give him a pass since he's having a hard time dealing with stuff?
I have been to the VA many times because of a leg injury that I have. I know that they have mental facilities and there are also private support groups many of them sponsored and funded by exmilitary that help people with ptsd Marines-4-life is one of them. Picking up a bottle is not an excuse when there is so much support out there. -
Must not work. Look at the vietnam vets.
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- Marilynn_Murray
- 2 months ago
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Sad state of this country...
They are pretty much left for dead after they go to work for Exxon/KBR/etc etc in Iraq. -
I live about 3 miles away from Camp Pendelton Marine base in southern California. My husband & I were driving back from a nice wholesome fun night at the DelMar fairgrounds, good music, food, games and rides, when along side my truck, a cab pulled up next to me on the 5North freeway. A drunk Marine was hanging half way out the back window, spitting on my truck & ranting, yelling, making no intelligible words & flipping the bird. We had done nothing to provoke this. I just looked at him & shrugged my shoulders, then they exited the freeway in Oceanside. Now, think about the thousands & thousands of Marines that are going to be coming home at some point. I can't imagine that they could just go back to good ole family living. Caring for your fellow human being, working with others etc.
How are the future leaders going to deal with this flawed system? to say the least?
I do wish them the best! If anyone else encounters this, don't react to them with anger, try to just walk away, wish them peace. I actually wrote the marine base & told them what happened & asked is there anyway to get involved with something to help them? No answer back yet. This is such a screwed up situation that we will be dealing with the rest of our lives. I hope that we can deal with it & not ignore the problem.-
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- HeadNtheClouds
- 2 months ago
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PTSD sux .. you should talk to someone.War sux no one knows until they actualy been in a war.
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