Presentation on Veterans in Recovery is Oct. 29 in Gurnee
The public is invited to a presentation Wednesday, Oct. 29, to hear the stories of military veterans who faced drug and alcohol problems and found a different way to live their lives.
The free presentation, titled "Veterans in Recovery," will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Warren-Newport Public Library, 224 N. O'Plaine Road in Gurnee.
The presentation is organized by the Lake-McHenry Veterans and Family Services program at the Lake County Health Department; Nicasa, which provides substance abuse prevention and treatment; and the Lake County Veterans Assistance Commission, which provides emergency assistance to veterans and their families.
"Military families live in a culture with unique behavioral needs not always understood by the general public," said Steve Ruohomaki, clinical supervisor/senior therapist with Lake-McHenry Veterans and Family Services.
"The demands of military life and experiences of combat often result in veterans experiencing psychological distress further complicated by a culture in which individuals tend to not talk about their experiences. Those military veterans sometimes turn to mood-altering substances that can result in abuse and related disorders."
Currently, there are approximately 40,000 veterans in Lake County alone and, of those veterans, 20 to 25 percent struggle with mental health issues. Veterans are often reluctant to seek help on issues ranging from job and benefit issues to emotional stress caused by deployment, reintegration, and family issues.
No reservations are required. For information, visit lmvfs.org.