In Honor of Veterans Day, Veterans Share Their Stories of Recovery and Resilience

Group of Veterans sharing stories of hope and courage at Virtue Recovery Center

Veterans Share Their Stories of Hope and Healing Through Specialized Care

LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES, October 31, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Thousands of Veterans throughout the country continue to face the invisible battles that follow them home: post-traumatic stress, substance use addiction, depression, and the quiet weight of reintegration. Across Veteran-focused recovery facilities, Veterans are finding renewed strength through programs that honor their service while addressing the deeply personal challenges that can emerge long after deployment.

This Veterans Day, several former clients and service members are sharing their personal journeys to encourage others to seek help. Their voices reflect a common truth: drug & alcohol addiction recovery requires the same courage, structure, and teamwork that military service demands.

Healing After Service

The transition from active duty to civilian life can be disorienting. The loss of structure, meaning, and camaraderie tends to exacerbate mental and emotional injuries. Many programs dedicated to Veteran-focused care that combine structure with compassion guide Veterans towards a life of dignity and purpose.

"I was in the Army for eight years, with two tours overseas," said U.S. Army (Ret.) Eva Griffith. "When I came home, I didn't know who I was anymore." I was drinking more than ever before, and I didn't know how to talk about it. The help I received helped me find my way back."

Veterans Speak: Real Stories of Courage

What made your stay exceptional?

“I wasn’t treated like a patient; I was treated like a person who served,” said Corporal James Carter, U.S. Army Veteran. “The team understood my need for structure but also taught me how to slow down and find peace. For the first time since coming home, I felt truly understood.”

How would you rate the experience?

“It’s beyond numbers,” said Sergeant Dan Reynolds, U.S. Army (Ret.). “I was able to regain my footing. They listened and helped me see that recovery isn’t weakness, it’s courage in another form.”

What were you struggling with before arriving?

William Hensley, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, shared, “I was stuck in a cycle I couldn’t break. Nightmares, drinking, isolation. It wasn’t until I got here and someone said, ‘You’re not broken; you’re hurting,’ then things began to change.”

What’s your overall impression of the facility?

“It didn’t feel like a hospital, it felt like a safe place,” said Corporal Jason Hartley, U.S. Army (Ret.). “Every staff member cared, not because they had to, but because they wanted to. Facilities like Virtue Recovery are places where you can finally find space to breathe again.”

What was your military experience like?

“I served in the Army for ten years, including a deployment overseas,” said John Bennett, U.S. Army (Ret.). “Service taught me discipline and brotherhood, but it also left scars. Virtue helped me honor that part of my life without letting it define me.”

Did you serve overseas?

“Yes, two tours in Afghanistan,” said Nathaniel Brooks, U.S. Army (Ret.). “You think life will pick up where it left off, but it doesn’t. A facility in Las Vegas helped me unpack that weight and start truly healing.”

Would you encourage others to come to a Veteran-focused recovery facility?

“Absolutely,” said Sergeant First Class Nicole Harper, U.S. Army (Ret.). “The center I went to understood what we carry. They don’t try to fix you; they walk with you. This place gave me back a sense of purpose.”

Beyond Treatment: Rebuilding Brotherhood and Trust

Veteran programs are typically built around shared experience and peer connection. Veterans participate in trauma-informed therapy, mindfulness practices, and peer groups designed specifically for military culture.

“We used to debrief after missions,” said Steven Thomas, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.). “Here, we debrief our lives. That same trust is still there, only now, it’s about rebuilding instead of surviving.”

Many treatment programs also partner with local Veteran organizations to provide ongoing support, employment resources, and alumni peer groups. The goal: to make sure no Veteran faces recovery alone.

The Bigger Picture: Veterans and Recovery in America

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about one in ten Veterans experiences a substance use disorder, and nearly 20% show symptoms of PTSD. These challenges often overlap, making recovery complex but vital.

Some Veteran treatment centers in Las Vegas tailor therapy and support to reflect the structure and mission-oriented mindset many Veterans relate to. “In the military, you’re trained to push through pain,” said Airman First Class Wesley Trevors, U.S. Air Force. “Here, I learned to stop running from it.”

Honoring Veterans Through Healing

Each November, we are honored not just with ceremonies but also through connection; this is achieved through storytelling sessions, peer roundtables, and a digital Wall of Honor where clients can share their reflections.

“Service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off,” said a facility director. “For many Veterans, the mission changes; it becomes about healing and rediscovering who they are beyond the battlefield.”

Encouraging Others to Take the First Step

Every story shared underscores the same truth: asking for help is not a weakness; it’s a strength.

“If you’re a Veteran and you’re struggling, just show up,” said Corporal Nicole Daniels, U.S. Army Veteran. “You don’t need the right words. Just walk through the door.”

Sharing these stories will hopefully inspire more service members, Veterans, and families to seek help at Virtue or any trusted recovery program. The message is simple: No Veteran should have to fight their battles alone.

Media Contact
Virtue Recovery Las Vegas
Email: info@virtuerc.com
Phone: (702) 996-5973
Website: www.VirtueRecoveryLasVegas.com

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a professional or use the resources above.

About Virtue Recovery Center

Virtue Recovery is a nationally recognized network of mental health treatment facilities offering compassionate, evidence-based care for substance use disorders, trauma, and mental health conditions like PTSD. Its programs include specialized tracks for Veterans, first responders, and underserved communities.

With locations in Las Vegas, NV; Houston, TX; Killeen, TX; Astoria, OR; Chandler, AZ, Virtue’s mission is simple: to provide a safe, dignified path toward lasting recovery, because everyone deserves a chance to heal, and a place that believes they can.

Michael Banis
Virtue Recovery Center
+1 702-996-5973
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