MINNEAPOLIS— Alan Vanhoever and Brian Neidt are honored to have served the United States.
Vanhoever was in the army and Neidt in the marines.
“We joined together to defend something bigger than ourselves,” Neidt said.
Vanhoever struggled with alcohol and drugs before joining the army. He hoped that the work would put him on the right path.
For Neidt, the challenges he faced led to substance abuse.
“It was in the military that I started using. Basically, to deal with the stress and the trauma,” Neidt said.
They had traumatic experiences that no one seemed to understand when they got home.
“I don’t see any gunshot wounds on you, so you shouldn’t be damaged,” Vanhoever said.
Both men struggled for years before trying a specialized long-term program.
“I just felt isolated, alone. It was a pretty scary time for me. I had PTSD. I had anxiety and depression. I didn’t want to show that weakness,” Neidt said.
Vanhoever and Neidt say the program used at the Minnesota Teen and Adult Challenge is unlike any other treatment program they have experienced.
“The love I felt here was the closest I’ve had to a military family since I left the military,” Vanhoever said.
They are among those in recovery who have achieved sobriety through the brotherhood of military service and specialized care.
“The specific and unique veteran programs allowed me to open up in a way that I hadn’t before during those previous treatments,” Neidt said.
Vanhoever has been sober for five and a half years.
“I was about nine months into the program when it finally clicked. Wow, I can go the rest of my life without getting high and without having to drink again,” Vanhoever said.
Neidt is celebrating three years of sobriety.
“There is hope. For so long I’ve been afraid to talk about the things I’ve been through and there’s a safe space to do that,” Neidt said.
After graduating from an intensive program and the Teen Challenge Leadership Institute, Vanhoever and Neidt started working at Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge.
If you or a veteran you know is struggling, you can call 612-FREEDOM for help.
