Today’s veterans may face a variety of struggles when they leave the military. Some veterans struggle with economic issues such as unemployment or homelessness, while others experience mental illnesses such as trauma or substance abuse (Bray& Hourani, 2007; Federman, Bray, & Kroutil, 2000). While substance abuse impacts all cultures, races and creeds equally, the military culture provides a unique culture in which additional barriers to help-seeking behavior may exist for service members struggling with addiction (Clinton-Sherrod, Barrick, & Gibbs, 2011; McFarling, D'Angelo, Drain, Gibbs, & Olmsted, 2011). An overview of narrative therapy will be provided, beginning with a brief history of its founding by Michael White & David Epston, and concluding with practicing a few narrative techniques developed by Pamelia Brott, and adapted to SUD treatment. Narrative approaches will be examined from the framework of story and a constructivist lens that includes the military culture and experiences as a component of the narrative. Focus will be given to peer-to-peer approaches, including national programs, such as the VA’s Peer Specialist programs, and local programs, such as the Suffolk County United Veterans Peer-to-Peer Support Group. The value of spirituality has been well-documented in substance abuse treatment interventions (Burris, Sauer, & Carlson, 2011; Diaz, Horton, Green, McIlveen, Weiner, & Mullaney, 2011; Juhnke, Watts, Guerra, & Hsieh, 2009). Spirituality is often considered a cornerstone of substance abuse support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. In addition, research has identified spirituality as a resiliency factor for soldiers during combat (Pargament & Sweeny, 2011), as well as for military families. However, the value of spirituality for veterans in substance abuse treatment has received little attention. This presentation addresses the concept of using narrative therapy, spirituality, and peer-to-peer with military members in substance abuse treatment, by examining literature and individual case studies of veterans in treatment. The primary audience is mental health and addictions counselors treating veterans with SUD, those who wish to work with this population and students.

Learning Objectives:
1. Obtain a broad understanding of narrative counseling, as well as engage in sample narrative counseling techniques and activities
2. Receive information on how peer to peer techniques have been used in previous research to assist military/veteran clients, as well as examples of best-practices in peer-to-peer programs for military/veterans
3. Discuss current literature and research pertaining to (1) spirituality in substance abuse treatment, (2) spirituality among military members, and (3) the intersection of spirituality, substance abuse treatment, and military members/veterans
4. Articulate the challenges and strengths that military members/veterans possess regarding counseling and substance abuse treatment, including a focus on the role that military culture plays in the help-seeking process.
5. Examine clinical cases of military members/veterans in substance abuse treatment, and apply the concepts discussed in session to their treatment approach.

Presenter: Heather Robertson, LMHC, LPC, CRC
Dr. Robertson is an LMHC (NY), LPC (CT), CRC, and substance use counselor (CASAC, NY). She worked with military populations in higher education and non-profit settings, providing career transition and substance use counseling. As the Regional Director of Military Programs for Old Dominion University, she oversaw programs at Fort Myer, the Pentagon, Walter Reed, Fort Belvoir, Quantico MCB, and Fort Lee. As the Military Caseload Counselor for Outreach Recovery Center, she provided substance use counseling veterans and families. She is the spouse of a retired veteran who served as an active-duty Marine then Naval Reservist for 20 years.