I had a appointment to meet with
Dr. Jennie Brandt, Medical Director
and the rest of the staff at the treatment
center for alcohol and drug addiction.
Attending were a psychiatrist, case
managers and what seemed to be a
whole lot of other people. As I walked
into the conference room, I think I
felt intimidated, I was offered a seat.
I still had shakes and my head still
seemed foggy from detoxing and the
Librium I was taking.
The questions started coming fast and
I don't think I answered them fully but
was doing the best I can in blaming
everyone else for my drinking problems
and the insane things I had done while
intoxicated. Then came Dr. Brandts
turn and she started questioning me
about my ex wife and of course I was
spouting off how terrible this women
and her kids where and poor me had
to put up with all her stuff, which made
me drink more. Dr. Brandt and other
staff members did not buy this and
the questions kept on coming. I finally
broke down crying, this tough ex
Marine was crying like a baby. Dr.
Brandt handed me a Kleenex and that
was the end of the session. I felt very
humiliated and defeated. The thought
ran through my head, buy a bottle, get
in the car and head to South Florida,
I hated Dr. Brandt and the rest of the
staff, they had made me see, what I did
not want to see, I was a drunk, a real
alcoholic, my tough ex Marine face
was destroyed, but something inside
me said, stay or you will die, I decided
to stay. I went back to the classroom,
looked at those veterans and said, I
broke down crying in there. No one
said anything.
I came to love Dr. Brandt, she really
cared about we veterans and helped
us in every way and really showed it
on an occasion weeks later, when she
was reading a paragraph to us out of
the Big Book concerning an incident.
She had tears flowing down her cheeks.
If by chance she ever reads this blog,
Doctor, you are a wonderful loving,
caring person and one hot looking
lady doctor.
For any veterans with an addiction
to drugs or alcohol or both, the
Gainesville Veterans Hospital in
Gainesville, Fl is the place to be,
when you are ready, but not before.
Author: Alden Morrison
