Major Group Failure

[andy3438211]

I finally attended a PTSD group on base. The group started slow and as a first time there did not really want to get too involved. It was starting to be a great thing because as guys were sharing stuff started to click for me. All 5 of us were at the point of divorce, we all were having our problems with various things. When one guy shared how he got stuck on the booze and how hard it was to get off it I shared with him how hard it was coming off prescription pain meds after using them so long. I left the group thinking it was a good thing and that I would attend again the next session. Two hours afterwards I got a phone call from the Commander that I was ordered to go tomorrow for Drug Abuse Counseling. 5 hours with my Commander the next day and blood and urine tests only to come up with I am off narcotics and no alcohol in my system. Feel like I got punished for trying out group. Working with the VA to go to some of their groups. I am afraid to say anything at group again but think that it does have the potential to help, things really started to click as the guys were talking.

Anyone can let me know about the VA groups and if they can call my Commander if I say anything in a group. I am not playing the military group game anymore, tapering myself off the effexor and do not want to step foot in that base MH clinic again after my 3 mandatory addiction classes that I have to attend to learn how I am not an addict.

 

[Sludge]

Group does not work for everyone. I had to drop both VA and base group sessions as I felt the bulk of the members were there to whine about not having a magic pill to fix everything overnight. In short, at this stage of my treatment, group was more a trigger and less a therapy. Talk with your Doc for other options. I will say the VA sessions are much more conducive to non-military formatting than the base sessions and may be more of what you seek.

There are other civilian combat veteran PTSD groups in my area that I do attend. The one on my university campus is really helpful, and free. I also attend the Lutheran Family Services Veteran's PTSD group. That one surprised me as it is free and not once has anyone tried to jam Jesus down my throat. Good people in that organization out here says me.

 

[andy3438211]

Thanks I might relook at some of the local church groups; I never tried them because I thought it would be all the Jesus talk. I am hoping to find a place to fit in, not able to control this on my own that is for sure. The wife is willing to stick around for a bit longer but I need to get something working right or she is gone. I do not blame her I would not put up with me that’s for sure. I know the pills are not going to fix everything but they did help me get over the hump and was hoping the group would be the way, just did not need my Commander brought into the mix, bad enough you’re the Medboard outcast at work, now the commander has to hold my hand thru therapy.

 

[Anglesachse]

I guess that is allways going to be the problem with "Internal Military"

Sucks none the less but not a lot you can do about it.

Short of going VA and the civvie system there isn`t a lot you can do.

You could allwas F*ck the system, and keep going to the Base sessions. I bet they will get pissed off with checking you after each session for substance abuse, and you get the joy of wearing a big f*cking smile when you see all the f*cktards who think your a drug user.

If they are going to talk about you, give them something to chew.

Just my tuppence

 

[Tim Cake]

Andy -- has your CO been unreasonably intrusive concerning your alleged drug abuse? Has he subjected you to more "random drug tests" than your immediate comrades? If you feel so, then you can apply for redress of grievance through the Judge Advocate General. All of your drug screens have turned up negative? Make sure you keep copies of them for your own records. When your tolerance level has been exceeded, then talk to JAG. Note -- this will seriously damage your relationship with your CO -- but it is a good avenue of redress when your back had been placed against the wall.

 

[JarHed]

I think what's said in group should stay in group. At the least your therapist might have taken you aside to talk to you about it. To report it to your CO like that is, to me, a violation of patient therapist confidenciality. Just wrong in my book.

Don't judge all groups on that event. There's much good that can come from them. Perhaps, as you mentioned, a VA group might be a better fit. Don't give it up.

 

[Sarg]

You're damn right it is, Jar!!! That's the basic foundation of group, it don't go out the door. The CO is way out of line on this one, so is whoever told him.

Andy, see if they have a Vet Center nearby. They're funded by VA funds but that's as far as it goes. They keep separate records from the VA and nothing leaves that room. Don't judge them all by that one group.

Pisses me off.

Sarg

 

[andy3438211]

The big issue I am hitting right now is I have no clue how much they told the Commander about everything so makes it awkward at work. I spent the day avoiding him and it is hard to do in a small office. The VA got me lined up but I do not go in till the 19th. Not sure if I can make it that long this is just difficult to deal with now. They made him fill out paperwork about me and took him aside while they made me fill out 179 question quiz about drugs that I take per my prescription. He was still in there when I got done with all that and then the Shrink from group took him aside as they read thru my quiz together. Felt like a child or something.

 

[Sludge]

The big issue I am hitting right now is I have no clue how much they told the Commander about everything so makes it awkward at work. I spent the day avoiding him and it is hard to do in a small office. The VA got me lined up but I do not go in till the 19th. Not sure if I can make it that long this is just difficult to deal with now. They made him fill out paperwork about me and took him aside while they made me fill out 179 question quiz about drugs that I take per my prescription. He was still in there when I got done with all that and then the Shrink from group took him aside as they read thru my quiz together. Felt like a child or something.

Don't let this situation worry you, manno. You're up for med board. The rest of those grunts around you, zeros or not, don't mean a thing. Focus on yourself and work with the VA. As it appears you have nothing to hide anyway so let those unprofessional fools play their trite little power games. The best way to piss off those types is to virtually ignore them. As stated earlier, make sure you keep a record of all this. And don't forget to hand carry all your paperwork whenever possible. Keep the originals yourself whenever possible and let the pencil pushers have the copies.

Most of all, keep your chin up- don't let the bastards get you down!

 

[Jimmy1]

I think that needs to come out publicly. Go to your chaplan or padre or whatever and tell him of the breach in privacy.
The one thing you need to know when you do anything is that there is nothing going outside.

However; if they thought there was a risk to your life or your safety then it does not matter where you go. Maybe something you said ticked them off. I remember they marked me down as a suicide risk, I was just lucky I was going under the knife for something else so they kept an eye on me.

 

[Zipperhead]

In Canada they give you a list of things they are required to report if you discuss them in Group, or even one on one with the therapist. I'm pretty sure drugs isn't on that list. Did you have any amount of respect for the CO before this incident? If so, I'd do the dirrect aproach. Tell him how this breach of privacy has effected your ability to get help at the group.

 

[andy3438211]

Yeah I am learning fast that the military MH folks just want you to lie and say everything is good to go. I know I cannot tell them everything I am feeling or I am going to get locked up. I am so pissed they are booting me for getting hurt on a deployment I volunteered for and I am only 4 years from retirement. Now they are going to boot me to the side and this is the only thing I have known since high school. The CO was decent prior to all this but now it’s like they got him watching me to see if I am a wacko. Before I felt like I was dealing with stuff at the clinic but when I got to the hanger it was business as usually. Now I do not have the spilt so there is no escape from all of the BS. Before I was able to get to work stay busy and not have to think about it all, I cannot do that anymore.