By: Blythe Maynard, CEO at Recovery Centers of America at Bracebridge Hall
Despite growing awareness and increased access to mental health care, the stigma surrounding addiction treatment remains one of the most significant barriers to recovery. For many, admitting to a substance use disorder (SUD) feels like admitting defeat – especially for those in high-stress, high-responsibility professions like active military personnel, veterans, and first responders who are often expected to embody strength, resilience, and unwavering control.
But here’s the truth: seeking treatment is not a sign of weakness – it’s a sign of courage, responsibility and a step toward healing.
The Broader Problem: Addiction and Stigma
Substance use disorders affect people from all walks of life. Over 20 million Americans struggle with SUDs each year, yet only a fraction seek treatment. With this knowledge as professionals, we always ask ourselves – why?
What we’ve found is that it is because the stigma surrounding addiction is still incredibly powerful. For many, the fear of being judged, misunderstood, or discriminated against keeps them from reaching out. The outdated belief that addiction is a character weakness rather than a medical condition causes people to suffer in silence and delays care until the consequences become severe.
This stigma is reinforced by social norms, workplace expectations, and even within families. Too often, people delay treatment until they’ve hit “rock bottom” when earlier intervention could have made a life-saving difference.
A Greater Challenge for Our Uniformed Heroes
While stigma affects everyone, it is even more profound for military service members, veterans, and first responders. These individuals serve in roles that demand high levels of mental and physical strength. Admitting to an addiction or mental health issue can feel like violating an unspoken code of conduct, potentially jeopardizing their careers or reputations.
Cultural and institutional pressures – for instance, the fear of losing security clearance, being perceived as unfit for duty, or being ostracized by peers – can make it nearly impossible for these individuals to ask for help.
And yet, their exposure to trauma, long hours, and life-threatening situations increases the risk of developing substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. It really is a paradox – the very qualities that make these individuals heroes also create barriers to their healing.
How RCA at Bracebridge Hall is Changing the Narrative
At Recovery Centers of America at Bracebridge Hall, we understand the unique needs of those who serve. That’s why we created RESCU – Resilience, Empowerment, Safety, and Care for Uniformed Heroes – a specialized treatment track for active-duty military, veterans, and first responders. This specialized treatment program is designed for active-duty military personnel, veterans, and first responders and is led by our military culture-aware clinical team, offering authentic understanding and credibility.
RCA’s program at Bracebridge Hall includes:
- Dedicated primary therapists – An expert team who are specifically trained on military culture, treating SUD among the U.S. military, and issues facing first responders
- Tailored curriculum – Our program is an evidence-based, present-focused therapy model, emphasizing the interconnectedness of trauma and substance use and focusing on coping skills, safety strategies, and developing healthy relationships
- Boarding and patient interaction options – We maintain a separate unit in our facility with separate programming, but also offer the option to participate in group sessions with other RCA patients as appropriate
- Medication for addiction treatment – MAT may be a component of our comprehensive care program to manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and prevent relapse, but always discussed with patients and their commands prior to initiating
One of the most powerful tools we have in fighting the stigma of addiction is changing the way we talk about recovery. Seeking help should be viewed as strength, not a failure. Just as we treat physical injuries with urgency and compassion, we must approach addiction with the same level of care and understanding. Our goal is and always has been to not only create innovative ways to treat addiction but also fostering public education about addiction and mental health.
We want the public to understand that recovery is possible and it’s happening every day. Whether you are struggling with addiction yourself or know someone who is, know this: you are not alone, and help is available. Stigma has no place in the conversation about healing.
For those who have served on the front lines – whether in combat zones or emergency response – RCA’s RESCU program provides the specialized, respectful care they deserve. If you or someone you know needs treatment, visit www.recoverycentersofamerica.com.
