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Appointment fails to understand addiction

Veterans who’ve served In combat and come home to begin a struggle with alcoholism are hopefully diagnosed and treated for their PTSD. However, we now have a person for whom it would be reasonable to question his mental and physical health based on his reported post military life, expected to function as our secretary of defense.

No matter how fervently he believes he can just stop drinking for a certain interval, his response shows little understanding of the disease. Those of us who have lost loved ones to drugs and/or alcohol wish recovery were so simple.

Not only does this appointment seem puzzling when weighing the responsibility it requires, it seems potentially harmful to our loved ones who are veterans.

Julie Sass

Elk Grove Village

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