Battling Addiction and PTSD: Finding Purpose After 9/11 with Chad Garcia

Breakfast of Choices

In this episode of Breakfast of Choices, I sit down with Chad Garcia to hear his powerful story of overcoming childhood trauma, addiction, and mental health struggles during his military service. As he shares his personal journey, I'm struck by the depth of his resilience and the rawness of his experiences.
Growing up, Chad endured physical abuse and witnessed his mother being assaulted, leaving deep scars that would shape the rest of his life. His teenage years were marked by a sense of isolation, as he turned to alcohol and rebellious behavior, feeling like an outcast in his own family. After joining the National Guard following 9/11, Chad found a sense of purpose and structure, Chad eventually enlisted for active duty from 2004-2014, but the military culture also enabled his drinking habits. His alcoholism and PTSD eventually led to a mental health breakdown, including a suicide attempt.
Chad's struggle with substance abuse, cycling through alcohol and cocaine addiction, only added to the turmoil. The tragic loss of his mother to suicide in 2017 further exacerbated Chad's trauma and grief, but through it all, he has worked tirelessly to rebuild his life, find purpose in helping other veterans, and reconnect with his family. His journey has been filled with ups and downs, but his unwavering hope and commitment to personal growth are truly inspiring. By sharing his story openly, Chad hopes to destigmatize mental health issues and encourage others to prioritize their own healing and well-being.
Chad has one big regret and hopes to repair the relationship with his daughter…and have his whole family together in his new home. Chad created Comrades and Canopies non-profit and teaches veterans how to sky-dive, and creates the camaraderie and purpose and gives back to the community in so many ways. Chad is truly inspirational!!
Visit: https://www.facebook.com/comradesNcanopies/

From Rock Bottom to Rock Solid.
We all have them...every single day, we wake up, we have the chance to make new choices.
We have the power to make our own daily, "Breakfast of Choices"
Resources and ways to connect:

Facebook: Jo Summers
Instagram: @Summersjol
Facebook Support: Chance For Change Women’s circle
National suicide prevention and crisis, hotline number 988
National domestic violence hotline:
800–799–7233
National hotline for substance abuse, and addiction:
844–289–0879
National mental health hotline:
866–903–3787
National child health and child abuse hotline:
800–422–4454
CoDa.org
12. Step recovery program for codependency.

Kapitel

1. Battling Addiction and PTSD: Finding Purpose After 9/11 with Chad Garcia (00:00:00)

2. Life Stories of Transformation (00:00:07)

3. Navigating Parenthood and Military Life (00:09:12)

4. Warzone Incident (00:16:10)

5. Battle Scars (00:28:50)

6. Overcoming Trauma and Rebuilding Lives (00:39:04)

7. Striving for Reconnection and Healing (00:47:06)

8. Healing and Reconnection Amid Challenges (00:57:41)

9. Embracing Healing and Accountability (01:06:08)

10. Path to Healing and Transformation (01:13:24)