Breaking the Cycle: How Justin Faced Addiction, Military Life, and Found Sobriety
Introduction – Why This Story Matters
In today’s Blog, I flashback to a recent interview with previous guest Justin who returns to share the parts of his story he didn’t cover the first time — not just what life looks like in recovery, but what it was really like before sobriety.
His journey is both deeply personal and widely relatable, especially for veterans, high-functioning alcoholics, and anyone who’s ever convinced themselves they “had it under control.”
This conversation is about more than addiction. It’s about facing shame, breaking denial, and learning to live one day at a time.
🎧 Watch my full interview with Justin on the Sobriety Uncensored Podcast below:
Early Signs of Alcohol Dependence
Justin’s first memory of heavy drinking wasn’t a wild, funny story — it was humiliating. At his very first party, he drank until he vomited in front of everyone. The next time he saw those people, he knew they were laughing about it.
That sense of shame didn’t scare him away from alcohol. Instead, it set a pattern:
Drink to forget the embarrassing things you did… while drinking.
From that night forward, alcohol became his go-to way to handle social rejection, stress, and a growing feeling of not fitting in.
The Exhaustion of Living a Double Life
As his military career advanced, so did his drinking. On the outside, he appeared to have it together: working on military aircraft, staying physically fit, keeping up with the demands of the Air Force.
Behind the scenes, every day was a carefully orchestrated routine to make alcohol fit.
Morning: Force himself to wake up, hit the gym, and get through work.
Afternoon/Evening: Plan the day so there was always time to buy alcohol.
Night: Drink enough to calm the anxiety that had built up while sober.
It was a balancing act that left him constantly tired, physically compromised, and emotionally drained.
Anxiety, Panic Attacks, and Self-Medication
Justin’s first clear sign of an anxiety disorder came when a stranger pointed out his shaking hands outside a bar. Within weeks, he had his first full-blown panic attack.
The “solution” was the same as always: drink.
Even when he recognized alcohol was making the anxiety worse, he clung to the illusion that this was just how everyone coped.
When Addiction Meets the Military System
While Justin was juggling the demands of his job, he was also facing custody battles, deployments, and the high stress of military life.
He entered the Air Force’s ADAPT outpatient program and later a 30-day inpatient rehab. But without a real desire to change, he learned to hide his drinking better rather than stop.
The cycle was simple:
Drink to deal with life.
Life gets worse because of drinking.
Drink to deal with the problems drinking caused.
The Turning Point – Blowing a .40 BAC
The real wake-up call came during two separate incidents when paramedics were called to his home.
In the most extreme case, Justin blew a .40 blood alcohol content — a level that could kill the average drinker — while still walking and talking.
He was sent to a VA psych ward for 10 days, going through medical detox under strict supervision. That period was sobering in every sense, but the reality of what came next hit even harder.
Career-Ending Consequences
After 12 years of service, Justin was honorably discharged.
The Air Force acknowledged his dedication but made it clear:
“We can’t rely on you anymore. You’ve tied our hands.”
The shock wasn’t just losing a job — it was losing an identity, a built-in community, and a career he had grown up in.
For the next six weeks, he worked an administrative role, facing coworkers who knew something had happened but didn’t know the details. The shame was constant.
Life After the Military – Struggle and Loss
After separation, Justin tried to move forward by enrolling in school with GI Bill benefits. But within weeks, he relapsed.
Then came a devastating blow: the suicide of his mentor, Randy Scott. This was a man who had advocated for him to get treatment, someone who had stood in front of their entire squadron encouraging people to believe life could get better.
When Randy took his own life, Justin — and many others — didn’t know how to process it. It became the excuse he needed to spiral deeper.
The Dangerous Illusion of Alcohol
For years, Justin believed alcohol “fixed” his shortcomings — making him more likable, more confident, and more interesting.
The truth was harsh:
He still had all those insecurities.
Alcohol didn’t erase them; it made them worse.
Sobriety didn’t magically solve everything, but it stripped away the illusion so he could work on the real issues.
Rock Bottom and the Quiet Promise
By late 2012, Justin knew he was on a path to either an accident, a fatal health event, or a deliberate end.
His turning point wasn’t a grand, cinematic moment. It was a quiet promise to himself:
“If I can just stay sober, everything else will take care of itself.”
At first, that was the only goal he could manage. Not building a perfect life, not fixing every problem — just staying sober for one more day.
Justin’s Message to Anyone Struggling
If you’re where Justin was — early 30s, isolated, broke, and holding a drink you can’t put down — his advice is simple but powerful:
Be honest about how miserable you are.
Connect that misery to the drinking.
Give yourself one alcohol-free day.
If you can do it once, you can do it again tomorrow. One day at a time isn’t just a slogan — it’s the doorway to a life you didn’t think was possible.
Key Takeaways from Justin’s Story
| Challenge | Reality Faced | Recovery Insight |
|---|---|---|
| Shame from early drinking incidents | Fueled heavier drinking | Confront shame instead of numbing it |
| High-functioning alcoholism | Masked deeper problems | Functioning ≠ healthy |
| Anxiety and panic attacks | Self-medicating with alcohol | Address root causes without substances |
| Military career loss | Identity crisis | Sobriety can build a new purpose |
| Loss of mentor | Emotional spiral | Grief needs processing, not numbing |
Resources for Veterans and Those Struggling with Alcohol
If Justin’s story sounds familiar, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure this out by yourself.
Final Word
Justin’s journey is a reminder that recovery isn’t about a perfect transformation overnight. It’s about small, consistent steps — sometimes just making it through the next 24 hours without picking up a drink.
If you’re ready to take that first step, start with honesty. Recognize the pain for what it is, and give yourself the gift of one sober day. Then another. And another.
Ready for Your Reset from Alcohol?
If this story resonated, don’t wait for another rock bottom. Get help, get honest, and get moving.
