NO SHAME IN ASKING –

Nov. 3, 2022 – As a Marine veteran and retired Manasquan police officer, I had to come to terms with my own struggles with substance use disorder more than six years ago. I know personally when you commit yourself to serving others, it’s extremely difficult to ask for help yourself.

Military personnel and first responders often exist in a world of trauma, and though many understand this when entering the career, that does not mean we are necessarily more prepared to deal with the reality of what we encounter on a daily basis. Unfortunately, the common perception of Marines, police officers, firefighters and other first responders is real. We just don’t want to look weak. For me though, finding real strength meant first responding to my own addiction.

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