"When we met, Sam shared his own story with me and explained his growing passion to help other Soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress. I encouraged him to expand his efforts, and we kept in touch after he retired. He shared with me the feedback he received from Soldiers and their families after they had heard his presentations, and he gave me a copy of his first book, Changing the Military Culture of Silence. I could only be impressed as he carried his message across the country." General George W. Casey Chief of Staff United States Army (Retired) "With our veterans committing suicide at an epidemic rate of 22 suicides per day, the chains of stigma must be broken. This book is a reflection of Sam Rhodes's personal experiences; he wears the proverbial tee-shirt. One doesn't experience life without experiencing life-changing events. It's how one handles those changes that counts. This book addresses ways to handle those changes to effect a positive outcome." Charles T. Jones Colonel, KYARNG Deputy Chief of Staff Personnel "CSM Rhodes carried the hidden wounds of three combat tours inside him when he returned to Fort Benning to serve as the CSM of the Infantry School Training Brigade. After much soul-searching and anguish, he finally realized and publicly acknowledged that he suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In doing so, he realized that part of his healing needed to include a concerted effort on his part to 'give back' to the extended family he had come to know so well, his fellow Soldiers and their families, and to confront the issues plaguing him." Philip R. Tilly Lieutenant Colonel United States Army (Retired) "I'm more than just a uniform. I can take the uniform off, but I can't erase the memories. PTS distorts reality. It makes life cheap. It's a death trap unless you get help. With PTS, it becomes a question of survival, and you must separate your past from the here and now. Soldiers need other Soldiers. The first line of effort in saving us from ourselves is each other." Samuel M. Rhodes Command Sergeant Major United States Army (Retired)

This book invites readers on a transformative journey through addiction, a path characterized by profound struggle and potential for redemption. It delves into the intricacies of the human psyche, confronting the challenges of denial, shame, and vulnerability inherent in recognizing and accepting addiction. The book promises a deep exploration into the causes and manifestations of addiction, emphasizing the importance of understanding and compassion. It guides readers through the psychological process of acknowledging and confronting addiction, highlighting the emotional and physical toll it takes while also celebrating the resilience and strength of the human spirit. Emphasizing the necessity of community and professional support, the book shares inspiring stories of recovery, offering hope and a roadmap for those seeking to break free from the clutches of substance abuse and embark on a new chapter of healing and growth.

Welcome to the comprehensive guide to addiction counselling in Ireland and the UK. This book is designed to provide addiction counsellors with in-depth knowledge, practical strategies, and real-world examples to enhance their understanding and effectiveness in working with individuals struggling with addiction. Drawing on the experiences of working addiction counsellors in the region, this book offers valuable insights into the unique challenges and considerations faced in the Irish and UK context. Chapter by chapter, we delve into various aspects of addiction counselling, exploring the definition and classification of addiction, factors influencing addiction, the neurobiology of addiction, and the understanding of addiction as a chronic disease. We also examine the concept of dual diagnosis and the complexities of addressing co-occurring mental health disorders. Through evidence-based approaches, we explore effective counselling techniques and interventions, such as motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches. We also discuss the importance of cultural sensitivity in addiction counselling, emphasizing the need for counsellors to be aware of and responsive to the diverse cultural backgrounds and needs of their clients. Additionally, we explore the collaborative care model, highlighting the significance of working in partnership with other healthcare professionals to provide holistic and integrated care. Throughout this book, we emphasize the practical applications of addiction counselling, providing real-life examples and case studies that illustrate how counsellors can apply theoretical concepts and techniques in their everyday practice. We examine the role of assessment and diagnosis in treatment planning, the implementation of evidence-based approaches, the considerations for special populations, and the importance of harm reduction and relapse prevention.

This thought-provoking and timely book focuses on the pressing issues surrounding criminal justice and policy reform through the examination of flaws and biases within the criminal justice system. It highlights the disproportionate incarceration rates faced by marginalized individuals and the far-reaching consequences for families and communities. The heart of the book lies in the dismantling of the pipelines to prisons. It explores the systemic factors that contribute to the pipelines, including issues surrounding school, educational, child welfare, and foster care policies. By shedding light on how these policies can funnel individuals into the criminal justice system, the book underscores the importance of addressing root causes and offering alternative pathways. Drawing on restorative justice principles, the book advocates for a transformative approach that promotes repairing harm, healing, and rebuilding relationships. It explores successful restorative justice practices and progress that have yielded positive results for both victims and offenders. Throughout, the book emphasizes the need for comprehensive policy reform in order to effect lasting change. It analyzes existing policies, identifying areas for improvement and advocating for a shift towards equitable, just, and human-centered approaches. Lastly, the book aims to inspire readers to engage in meaningful discussions, advocate for policy reform, and support restorative justice practices, with the vision of a future in which justice is not just punitive, but also healing, transformative, and imbued with a sense of fairness for all. This book is best suited for upper-level undergraduates, graduate students and researchers, and practitioners in criminal justice fields and mental health professions working with offender populations.

“An essential book” on PTSD, an all-too-common condition in both military veterans and civilians (The New York Times Book Review). Post-traumatic stress disorder afflicts as many as 30 percent of those who have experienced twenty-first-century combat—but it is not confined to soldiers. Countless ordinary Americans also suffer from PTSD, following incidences of abuse, crime, natural disasters, accidents, or other trauma—yet in many cases their symptoms are still shrouded in mystery, secrecy, and shame. This “compulsively readable” study takes an in-depth look at the subject (Los Angeles Times). Written by a war correspondent and former Marine with firsthand experience of this disorder, and drawing on interviews with individuals living with PTSD, it forays into the scientific, literary, and cultural history of the illness. Using a rich blend of reporting and memoir, The Evil Hours is a moving work that will speak not only to those with the condition and to their loved ones, but also to all of us struggling to make sense of an anxious and uncertain time.

This book makes a highly innovative contribution to overcoming the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness – still the heaviest burden both for those afflicted and those caring for them. The scene is set by the presentation of different fundamental perspectives on the problem of stigma and discrimination by researchers, consumers, families, and human rights experts. Current knowledge and practice used in reducing stigma are then described, with information on the programmes adopted across the world and their utility, feasibility, and effectiveness. The core of the volume comprises descriptions of new approaches and innovative programmes specifically designed to overcome stigma and discrimination. In the closing part of the book, the editors – all respected experts in the field – summarize some of the most important evidence- and experience-based recommendations for future action to successfully rewrite the long and burdensome ‘story’ of mental illness stigma and discrimination.