Veteran Addiction Treatment for PTSD and Military Sexual Trauma: Miracles Asia’s Different Approach

Founder Mark Heather shares his journey from living overseas isolated from VA resources to finding help through the Veterans of Foreign Wars, entering treatment at Miracles Asia, co-founded by Mark Heathe during COVID, and building a life in recovery he never imagined possible.

After success with their first American veteran patient, Michael O’Connor, Miracles Asia quickly ramped up the specialized treatment center which now offers a unique program designed specifically for veterans dealing with PTSD, military sexual trauma, and substance use disorders. Mark Heather, co-founder, shares how Miracles Asia came to be, the programs details, and what is missing in most rehabilitation programs.

If you’re a veteran currently struggling with addiction, remember you are not alone.

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Mark Heather, co-founder of Miracles Asia in Phuket, Thailand, understands what veterans struggling with addiction truly need. After success with their first American veteran patient, Michael O’Connor, Miracles Asia quickly ramped up the specialized treatment center which now offers a unique program designed specifically for veterans dealing with PTSD, military sexual trauma, and substance use disorders. What sets their approach apart is a fundamental understanding that getting sober represents only the beginning of the healing journey for veterans. The real transformation happens through connection with others who understand their experience.

Miracles Asia's success stems from recognizing that the highest success rates do not come from the fanciest facilities or the most credentials on the wall. Rather, lasting recovery happens when programs understand how isolation kills recovery and create genuine community among veterans who share similar struggles.

The Numbers Tell a Story We Can't Ignore

The statistics paint a sobering picture of what veterans are facing. About 63% of veterans diagnosed with a substance use disorder also meet criteria for PTSD. When veterans experience trauma in the military, especially military sexual trauma, their brains look for ways to cope. That coping mechanism often becomes alcohol or drugs.

For MST survivors specifically, the statistics are even more stark. Female veterans who experienced MST were 9 times more likely to develop PTSD than their counterparts.

What makes this crisis worse is that only about one in three survivors chooses to report their assault. More than two-thirds of all military sexual trauma occurrences go unreported. When trauma goes unreported, it does not disappear. Instead, it festers and grows, often leading to substance use as a way to manage the unbearable weight of carrying that secret.

What Actually Works in Veteran Addiction Treatment

In our conversation with Heather and O'Connor, they revealed something powerful: the veterans who succeed are not necessarily the ones with the least severe addictions. They are the ones who are ready to be honest about their struggles and committed to change.

Miracles Asia operates as a small, family-owned center on a tropical island in Thailand. The environment itself contributes to healing.

At Miracles Asia, the core philosophy revolves around something simpler and more profound than fancy facilities or impressive credentials. It is about the veteran's own desire for change. As the founders explain in the full episode, external interventions fail without internal motivation.

The moment someone decides they are ready to speak their truth is when transformation becomes possible.Michael's Transformation due to Miracles Asia's Program.

Why Isolation Impedes Recovery

One of the most striking insights from our conversation was how isolation serves as both a symptom and a weapon that trauma uses against survivors. Heather and O'Connor explain how the military culture of silence reinforces the feeling that veterans are alone in their pain.

At Miracles Asia, the treatment approach focuses on breaking this isolation through genuine connection with others who understand. To hear more about how they create these healing spaces and why peer connection matters so much for MST survivors, listen to the full episode.

Learning to meditate, talking in group settings, and asking for help all felt uncomfortable at first. These practices required Michael to confront the military conditioning that taught him to suppress emotions and handle everything independently.

Why Location Matters More Than You Think

Miracles Asia's location on the island of Phuket in Thailand was chosen with intention. Situated in a rural area surrounded by mangroves and jungle, the facility offers a serene and secluded environment conducive to healing. While this might sound like a luxury, Heather and O'Connor explain there is clear strategy behind it.

When veterans are healing from trauma and addiction, they need physical distance from the triggers that keep pulling them back. For veterans, those triggers are everywhere in their home communities: the bar where they used to drink, the people who knew them before, and the constant reminders of military service that can activate trauma responses.

Creating physical space allows veterans to create mental space. At Miracles Asia, veterans can focus on healing without the daily assault of familiar triggers, surrounded by a peaceful retreat away from the distractions of city life.

The Holistic Approach That Actually Addresses Root Causes

Miracles Asia was built on the understanding that most addiction treatment fails veterans because it treats the substance use without addressing the trauma underneath. Programs can get someone sober, but if they do not help veterans process their PTSD, MST, or moral injury, relapse becomes likely.

Through their holistic approach that includes psycho-education, mental health support, physical fitness, spiritual exploration, and the mind-body connection in trauma recovery drastically reduces the internal conflict that drives veterans to numb or cope with drugs and alcohol. More than 80% of specialized VA programs used to treat PTSD now offer some form of mind-body therapy, and Heather explains why this matters so much for veterans healing from addiction and trauma.

To understand how all these components work together at Miracles Asia and why treating PTSD and substance use disorder at the same time is so critical, listen to the full episode where they break down their entire approach.

Why Group Healing Matters for MST Survivors

Research consistently shows that engaging in group healing, especially in addition to individual therapy, is one of the most effective ways to recover from the effects of sexual violence. Heather shared powerful insights about what happens when survivors connect with others who truly understand their experience.

When survivors share their stories with others who have similar experiences, something fundamental shifts. The shame loses its power.

This is especially critical for male MST survivors. Men with MST histories were no more likely to engage in mental health treatment despite having nearly 3-fold increased odds of reporting future suicidal intent. In the episode, Heather and O'Connor discuss how they create spaces where male patients can break through this isolation.

The Intersection of MST, PTSD, and Addiction

Veterans with lifetime PTSD were found to be 2 times more likely to meet criteria for an alcohol use disorder and 3 times more likely for a drug use disorder. When MST layers on top of that, the complexity increases substantially.

However, Heather and O'Connor shared something hopeful: research shows that alcohol misuse does not interfere with positive treatment outcomes. In other words, clinicians can successfully treat veterans for PTSD alongside addiction. The presence of substance use does not doom chances of recovery.

Listen to the full episode to hear their insights on treating the whole person, not just the addiction and how they approach this intersection at Miracles Asia and what makes their treatment model different.

ARecovery is possible. About 29% of veterans who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom have had PTSD at some point in their lives, yet with the right treatment and support, healing is within reach.

Listen to the full episode to hear more about Miracles Asia's approach, why location matters in recovery, and how connection saves lives.

Resources for Veterans Seeking Help

Veterans struggling with addiction, PTSD, or trauma can take several steps to access help. The Veterans of Foreign Wars connected Michael with Miracles Asia, and they can connect other veterans with appropriate resources. Organizations like the VFW understand the specific challenges veterans face and can provide guidance on navigating treatment options for veteran rehab that treats MST.

Veterans can contact the VA about MST-related care without needing proof or documentation of the assault. The VA's policy on MST-related care is designed to reduce barriers to treatment. Veterans can also inquire about EMDR therapy through the VA, which offers it at no cost.

Treatment options like Miracles Asia in Phuket, Thailand provide alternatives to traditional rehabilitation facilities for PTSD and addiction treatment for combat veterans. The Foreign Medical Program may reimburse treatment costs for veterans seeking overseas addiction treatment for veterans. Some facilities, including Bangkok Hospital, bill the Foreign Medical Program directly, reducing the financial burden on veterans.

Connecting with other veterans through support groups, online forums, or veteran organizations provides community support that enhances recovery. Michael found this community essential to his ongoing sobriety and mental health.

Contact Miracles Asia

For more information about Miracles Asia's veteran addiction treatment program in Phuket, Thailand:

Website: www.miraclesasia.com

Phone: +66 (0) 76 367 788

Email: info@miraclesasia.com

Miracles Asia specializes in treating co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders in veterans, with expertise in military sexual trauma recovery. The program accepts referrals from the VFW and works with the VA Foreign Medical Program for eligible veterans.

Episode Chapters and Timestamps

• 00:00 Previously on The Silenced Voices of MST

• 00:20 The Key to Miracles Asia's High Success Rate

• 02:37 The Role of Connection in Recovery and Mental Health

• 03:57 Michael's Journey to Miracles Asia Began The Veterans Program

• 06:50 The Miracles Asia Veterans Program Breakdown

• 13:24 Miracles Asia's Location and Origin Story

• 17:31 A Special Message for Veterans

• 21:52 Preview for next episode

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the best addiction treatment for veterans with PTSD?

  The most effective addiction treatment for veterans with PTSD integrates trauma treatment with addiction recovery rather than treating them separately. Research shows that treating PTSD and substance use disorder at the same time works to treat both conditions. Programs like Miracles Asia specifically address the intersection of military trauma and addiction, recognizing that veterans need both issues addressed simultaneously for lasting recovery.

• How do I know if I need inpatient treatment for addiction?

  Veterans should consider inpatient treatment if they have tried outpatient options without success, if their home environment contains triggers that make sobriety difficult, or if they need a safe place away from their regular surroundings to focus on healing. Inpatient programs provide 24/7 support, structured programming, and distance from the people and places associated with substance use.

• Does VA cover addiction treatment for veterans?

  The VA does provide addiction treatment services for eligible veterans. However, many veterans also seek treatment at private facilities like Miracles Asia that specialize in veteran-specific care. These programs often offer approaches and environments different from VA facilities, including international locations that provide physical distance from home triggers and peer communities of veterans in recovery.

• Can you treat PTSD and addiction at the same time?

  Yes, and research shows this is actually the most effective approach. About 63% of veterans diagnosed with a substance use disorder also meet criteria for PTSD. Studies have demonstrated that alcohol misuse does not interfere with positive PTSD treatment outcomes, meaning veterans can successfully recover from both conditions simultaneously. Programs that address both issues together, like Miracles Asia, give veterans the best chance at lasting recovery.

• What should I look for in a veteran addiction treatment program?

  Veterans should seek programs that prioritize safety, provide trauma-informed care, offer connection with peers who understand military experience, integrate addiction and trauma treatment, respect individual healing timelines, and focus on strengths rather than solely on deficits. Look for programs that include comprehensive aftercare as a core component and that understand the unique challenges veterans face, including military sexual trauma and the culture of silence in the military.

• How long does addiction treatment take for veterans?

  Treatment length varies based on individual needs, but effective programs recognize that healing from both addiction and trauma takes time. Many programs offer 30, 60, or 90-day options, with longer stays generally associated with better outcomes. Aftercare and ongoing support following the initial treatment period are critical, as the weeks and months after leaving a program are often more challenging than the time spent in treatment.

About the Guests

Mark Heather is the co-founder of Miracles Asia, a specialized addiction treatment center located in Phuket, Thailand. With personal experience in addiction and recovery, Mark understands what veterans need to heal from substance use disorders, PTSD, and military sexual trauma. His mission is to help veterans find a path to sobriety and healing by addressing the unique challenges faced by those who have served in the military.

Michael O'Connor was the first veteran patient at Miracles Asia. His experience with the program and his journey through recovery provide valuable insight into what works for veterans struggling with addiction and trauma.

The program at Miracles Asia is designed to provide veterans with the tools, support, and community they need to rebuild their lives through a holistic approach that emphasizes connection, safety, and integrated treatment for both addiction and underlying trauma.

Help Support our Mission

This work saves lives. Every story shared, resource created, survivor connected to help. The Silenced Voices of MST exists because too many survivors have been silenced for too long. This work is necessary, but it cannot continue as a one person sacrifice. I am asking for your support to help transition this platform into a sustainable resource. If this mission matters to you, please consider making a donation or sharing this campaign with your network. Every episode produced, every toolkit distributed, every survivor story amplified requires resources. Production costs, hosting fees, website maintenance, and platform development all depend on the generosity of people who believe survivors deserve better.

Your donation directly funds:

• Administrative Support: $12,000 to hire a part-time assistant. This is the only way to shift the twenty-person workload off of one individual and ensure the show’s longevity.

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• Production & Security: $4,500 to cover the upcoming year of hosting, extra security features for guest safety, and necessary software subscriptions.

Thank you for standing with survivors.

About the Host

Rachelle Smith is an Air Force veteran, MST survivor, and the founder of The Silenced Voices of MST, an advocacy platform focused on Military Sexual Trauma. With a background in Communications and a distinguished career as a US Air Force Public Affairs Officer, Rachelle is committed to amplifying the voices of survivors and demanding accountability from institutions that have failed them.

After years of struggling in silence, Rachelle created The Silenced Voices of MST to help this long-ignored community document their truth, speak out, and fight for future service members. The platform offers the VA Disability Toolkit, the Contact Your Lawmaker Toolkit, guided trauma recovery journals, and leads The Advocates of MST, a private Facebook support group.

Through her podcast, Rachelle provides a safe space for MST survivors to share their stories, access resources, and find community. Her work centers on visibility, support, and accountability for Military Sexual Trauma survivors worldwide.

Connect with Rachelle: silencedvoicesmst.com | Email: info@silencedvoicesmst.com

• Episode Trancript

  Michael O (00:00)

  had to, be willing to humble myself and put my hand up, which is something.

  of veterans might struggle with just because of our conditioning, to raise my hand and ask for help to be vulnerable.

  Mark Heather (00:20)

  we have a huge success rate. Our is about 60%. It's normally about five or 10. Now, to be brutally frank, that's not because we're any good. It's because of the type of clients we get. You can get a client will go to some really shit rehab. I know it's no good, it's rubbish and yet they get sober.

  Rachelle Smith (00:38)

  Mm-hmm.

  Mark Heather (00:48)

  And you can get another guy that goes to this fantastic rehab that I know everybody's committed. got school program. He doesn't get sober. What's the difference? It's do they want it? Do they want it? If they want it, we've got it. If they don't want it.

  There's nothing you can do. I can't get sober for them. don't just accept anybody. in our assessment process, we've got to be careful about who we can and can't take. We can't take severe mental illness, for example. We can't. But you know, number one is are they safe? they not violent?

  We've got to make sure that they're safe in our little community. But second of all, for me is do they want it? That's what I'm trying to find out when I'm when we're asking people, they good? Do they want to if they want it? Come on down because we've got it for you.

  Rachelle Smith (01:37)

  In my personal experience with going to different treatment programs, I would say that I did want it, but I didn't believe that I would actually get to a place of healing. And there's actually a big difference, right?

  I think it's more of like, I wanted to get better, but I didn't have any hope of it. With me, I found a medication that had finally worked. Prior to that, I had been on like 30 or 40 and it seemed like they either like worked a little bit and then my brain adjusted to it and nothing happened. And that would be the thing that would cause another slump of...

  Like you feel like a little better and then all of sudden nothing, you're gonna get back to where you started. having people that have reached that kind of equilibrium of, okay, things are starting to feel a little better. I actually believe now I can do this work and make progress.

  Mark Heather (02:37)

  Right. And with time, we become our own proof, you know, after some time, but it's just crucial that we stay connected to like-minded people. problem with certainly addiction and mental health and trauma, you're not going to think your way out of it. You're not going to sit in a room and go, well, I'll think my way out of this. It's impossible. It has to be done with others.

  Rachelle Smith (02:40)

  Right.

  Mark Heather (03:02)

  that we can be part of that others, which is very powerful in itself, I think. There is something tremendously positive and a gift to be taken from in a positive way. we go out and we have this experience and we found our way out, to be able to share that with other people is very powerful. I believe it's a spiritual thing. It's this awful experience that happened to me

  Well, I can take something good from that because I found a way out and I can show other people, hey mate, this is what I did to get out. You if you want to get out of somebody, ask somebody who's got out. That's powerful. You know, it's a powerful thing to have. It's a gift in many ways. It's not a gift we want, but it is a gift. It's a gift that we've got because we have the ability to help people.

  Rachelle Smith (03:50)

  That's true.

  Mark Heather (03:57)

  It's a passion. It's the reason that we get up in the morning. My primary purpose, Michael's primary purpose is to help the next alcoholic or addict that we can. That's primary purpose. So the whole place has got that sort of vibe. We've expanded now to 25 rooms. We started at six and it grew and our name grew because, you know, we're quite passionate about what we do. How I got involved with the armed forces, with the FMP.

  And the VA was that during COVID, we were so small that we were about the only rehab open in Thailand at all. Nobody else. The VFW, which is the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Chiang Mai, it's in the north of Thailand, contacted us along with the American Embassy. And they said, we've got a serviceman who happened to be Michael, who's with us today, because there's been a load of others since. But he was the first one. They said, he's stuck, he's in COVID.

  He can tell you what he was suffering, but also PTSD. Do you have a trauma informed staff there? Can you help? And we went, yeah, sure. You know, bring him down. They connected us up with the FMP, which is the payment part of the three A's who pay us very slowly, but they do pay us. And we got on their list and we've managed to help. We normally have three or four servicemen a year, something like that coming to us from various branches. Mostly those.

  Rachelle Smith (05:10)

  Sounds about right.

  Mark Heather (05:22)

  who are living overseas. could be anywhere in Southeast Asia, we cover them. So Michael came down and he was our first client, the forces. And yeah, it went from there really. Regarding our program, yeah, we're bringing in, ⁓ I want to bring in about five veterans a month. And if they stay, we have a 30, 60, 90 day program and not everybody can take 90 days because they're working, right? So it's a lot of time to take off.

  They should be saying at least 60 days. Difficult to change people's sort of concept in 30 days. we need about 60. But if they're coming five a month, which we've given, you know, we've made five places available, that means I should have between 10 and 10 and 15 military people. What we plan to do is I don't want this to be a hurrah sort of, you know, military place. You know, I think there should be, I think there's a lot to be said.

  with, you know, my other clients are normally 30s, 40s, 50s, middle-class professionals working in Southeast Asia and the States. So I have that type of community. If I bring the military people in, I don't think they should just be service people, because they live in that world already. I think they should be part of Civvy Street. I think they should be part of a normal community. But I do think they have their own special needs.

  So I think they should have special counseling, special process groups where they come into groups and they work with their clinical side. There are certain aspects of the program that I think they need to be special just for them. But that's a 20 % of the whole. The rest of it should be our normal program. And our normal program, it's a holistic program, which means it's made up of different bits. The first part is psychoeducation. This is education.

  about, you people think they you know all this, you naturally know all this, but people with problems don't. And I'm talking about anger management. I'm talking about relationships. I'm talking about boundaries. I'm talking about values. I'm talking about CBT. I'm talking, you know, mindfulness, these things that we think, I know about that. But actually, maybe they don't know very much. And they're wondering why they're raging all the time or angry all the time or kicking off all the time, you know, these types of things.

  So that first part is a educational part, which is in a classroom delivered with homework and going over exactly what that is. The second part is relapse prevention. Anybody can stay sober in a rehab. It's not difficult. What it's all about is what you do when you go home. So the minute they come to us, they're working on what it's like when they leave those gates, when they go back out to their community.

  What's the plan Stan? So they should have a complete and utter plan day by day about are they going to continue the therapy with their therapist? Are they going to be going to support groups? Are they going to be joining AA, physical health, eating properly, sleep, all of these things. What's the plan? So the second part is relapse prevention. The third part is the bit we touched on before, mental health. People drink or use because they don't like how they feel, including PTSD. ⁓

  When you feel like shit and you feel awful and you can't do anything, what are you going to do? You're going to change how you feel. How do you change how you feel, especially in the services? Totally acceptable. Drink, drink like a fish. I grew up in the military. My dad, was a drink and now more powerful modern drugs have come on the scene. So they need to change how they feel because they feel so awful. That's why they use. So the mental health part is

  where you're sitting with a clinical psychologist and you're going through, what's making the want want? What's driving it? Addiction in itself is a compulsive obsessive disorder. But then there's something else, either depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, which is driving us to drink and use. So that needs...

  Number one, they need to be like detoxed and identify what that is because it's not, know, it can be such a blanket term PTSD, it covers so much, but it really needs pairing down into exactly what it is, exactly how it's presenting and exactly how it should be managed, right? So that's the third part is the mental health part. They do at least two hours a week with a clinical site. You can't do more than that. If you're doing more than that, you're doing too much.

  And if it's not too much, you're not doing it properly. Right. After that, it's group work. do quite a lot of group work because I have this amazing community. I only take people that want it. If they don't want to get sober, I don't want them. I can't be bothered. I haven't got enough time. I just want people that want it. So when I get a community of mostly men, I mean, I have about 20, 30 % women, but mostly

  Rachelle Smith (10:12)

  Right.

  Mark Heather (10:36)

  well-educated, well-motivated, team-orientated men, all of them, are very, that's a powerful group of people to work with. And it's okay when a clinician or a support worker or a doctor or me say ABC, but when your peer says something to you, you listen, you really listen. So there's the power in the group. It's not only the medical sort of thing, the mental health thing, it's a group thing as well. So,

  Rachelle Smith (10:55)

  Mm.

  Mark Heather (11:04)

  The last one is group. also have 12 steps as part of our program. 12 steps is Alcoholics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous. We are not a 12 step program, but it's certainly part of what we do because when you go back to your community and especially in the States, everywhere, this is everywhere. It's free, it's loving, it's supportive, it's absolutely everywhere. So we try to guide people into that.

  They don't want it. They don't have to have it. It's also a bit of a spiritual program. So there's a spiritual aspect to it as well. And by spiritual, mean, asking yourself a lot of questions and ask answering them and no matter where they go, rather than religious, it's maybe a set of rules that you have to follow. Spirituality is not about that. It's really is this inward, deep dive. And, remember that I think addiction and depression and

  PTSD is the loss of connection to self. So it is a bit of a spiritual ⁓ emptiness, a void that we've got to look at. So anyway, that's part of the group. We do lots of different group works and as I said, it's quite powerful. The next one is physical fitness. We've got a gym, we go to this amazing gym three times a week. I it's just huge Olympic pools, weights, ⁓ cardio.

  hot and cold, it's as the whole nine yards, has everything. And we do yoga in the morning or we do beach walks in the morning. So we're not keep fit for now, but we do believe in healthy body, healthy mind, healthy spirit. These are all like healing things. And the last one is that we do a lot of is aftercare. So when the client goes home, we're there with them for a couple of months, they continue with the therapist, they continue with the sport worker. They should be coming to our Zoom meetings.

  We have the connection. We have the connection when they go home. So they're not alone. We do expect them to find their own communities when they get back, which there's loads in the States, but they've got to actually make that connection. So with us, we're with them all the time, including the two months after they go back. So that's roughly our program.

  Rachelle Smith (13:24)

  Where exactly are you located to? We should probably cover that.

  Mark Heather (13:28)

  We're located on the island of Phuket. Phuket is in the Andaman Sea. It's halfway down Thailand on the left hand side.

  Rachelle Smith (13:38)

  Beautiful. Yep. I've been to Bangkok. I was supposed to go to Phuket, but didn't make it, but I've seen pictures, isn't it? ⁓ man. Paradise, like you said.

  Mark Heather (13:49)

  We are

  actually, we're on the rural part because the island is made up of the few and I didn't know this is this is most islands. I didn't know. It depends on the wind and the tide, but one half of the island is normally mangroves and the other is beaches. We're actually on the mangrove side, which is good for us. We're only about 10 minutes from a beach, but the general area is mangroves because then there's no beaches, then there's no hotels, restaurants, people.

  We're very quiet and we're just underneath a jungle, which is a national park, which is behind us. So we're nice and quiet where we are, but we're still only 10 minutes from the beach. But we're in the rural part of the island. I was working in hotel not far from here when the tsunami hit. I lost 13 staff, 54 guests. Bill also lost a lot of guests and staff. He's a ship's captain, but was

  working with a hotel and they lost a load of guests and staff as well. So after the tsunami, we worked together. I knew him through Alcoholics Anonymous and we started doing charity work together for kids, orphans, families that have lost loved ones, our staff mainly. We did that for a couple of years. I got to know Bill quite well through Alcoholics Anonymous and through working on the charity work. In about 2015, 16, I wanted to do something about recovery, but

  It was my world, but something in hotels as well. you know, rehab seemed to be really way to go. And he said, okay, let's start it with my villa. He had a very flash private luxury villa that was only six bedrooms. And we decided that we thought we were going to help people like us because when I got sober, there were no rehabs. I got sober in 2004. He got sober like 10 years later. There were no rehabs at all in Thailand at that time. So we just did it through AA. And, know, with.

  With recovery, AA is wonderful and you know, I'm Mr. AA and NA and CA and all of the anonymous things, but there are other components that AA doesn't cover. The medical part, is detox, the mental health part, which we're going to come to in a minute. The rehab encompasses those things. Yes, it's a place to stop and then work on yourself, but there is mental health component and a medical component that AA doesn't do. So we wanted to.

  cover those parts of it. What we thought we aimed at people like ourselves, which is expatriates working in Southeast Asia. Most of our clients are expatriates working in Southeast Asia. So they're normally educated, normally just about to lose everything. The wife is normally leaving with the kids or HR is on their ass. You know, they're that type of client. We aimed it at that sort of people. And that comes out in that

  We don't do bag searches, we don't do drug tests all the time, we don't do room searches. We treat people like adults because they are adults. They're allowed phones, they're allowed communication devices. Things that aren't quite allowed in other rehabs, we could because we were going for that sort of population. We were quite successful because we're very small, very personalized, very passionate. All the staff, I employ professional people, nearly all of them.

  except for the Thai people who run the kitchen, who run the drivers, who run, you know, the rest of it, like a hotel, the people who are with the clients, with clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, support workers, all of these people, most of them are drunks or alcoholics themselves. ⁓ They are in recovery.

  Rachelle Smith (17:31)

  So if a veteran listening was interested in reaching out to you to learn more about miracles, how could they find you?

  Mark Heather (17:40)

  Just go to miraclesasia.com and there's ⁓ a page, especially for veterans.

  No, MiraclesAsia.com. You'll get right there. There's a little dog tag and it says veterans press here. So there you go.

  Rachelle Smith (17:59)

  And do you all have any social media accounts as well?

  Mark Heather (18:02)

  Yes, we do. Yes. ⁓ We're on Facebook and Instagram.

  Rachelle Smith (18:07)

  Okay, perfect. I'll get that into the show notes. And is there any last tidbit either of y'all wanna share with our listeners or viewers?

  Michael O'Connor (18:18)

  Yeah, that there's help.

  Mark Heather (18:20)

  I think

  you don't have to be alone. Just don't. you know, there's a saying in Asia, know, when the student's ready, the teacher will appear. And it is so true. If you put your hand up, all you've got to do is put your hand up and help comes. It really does. Well, and thank you for the wonderful work you do. It's really quite impressive what you're doing.

  Rachelle Smith (18:22)

  Yeah.

  ⁓ yeah.

  Mark Heather (18:49)

  Thank you.

  Rachelle Smith (18:51)

  It's been humbling. I can tell you that. When I did get to that point of recovering enough to actually use the things that I had learned, ⁓ I was just thinking, man, I want other people to be able to get to this space, because my depression was so bad that it really felt like ⁓ I couldn't see colors at times.

  It was like being a robot zombie, I guess, if I could call it something. But to be able to share the stories of more folks that have gotten out of that mode and let survivors know that they're not alone. then there's probably millions of people out there willing to help them and then pull them out of that. That isolation piece, that ⁓ hopelessness. ⁓

  We lose people every day because of it. I mean, I was almost one of them multiple times. So this, this is my way of, of sharing that hope and the love that I have now. didn't feel like I had any love in my life before that. I see that in both of you and it's, it's just so important to spread that and get as many people. The help they need as possible and, and, you know, change the world just a little bit every day.

  And you can do that through healing, you know.

  Mark Heather (20:20)

  Best.

  Michael O'Connor (20:23)

  You're going through a big shift right now too, Rachelle aren't you? Like you're shifting out of that VA space you're in and you're like taking a big step doing this podcast. And I believe in you. I'm really grateful that you have the courage to follow your passion and your journey. Yeah.

  Mark Heather (20:40)

  Thank you,

  Rachelle Smith (20:42)

  yeah, every day is an adventure, but it's every day is a learning experience. And the one thing I did learn in therapy that I have to repeat to myself daily is like, I can't control, you know, other things, but I can control how I react to it. And, ⁓ who has gotten me through quite a few things. There's always something, but it's just.

  taking that second to breathe and recalibrate and maybe even reach out to somebody else and say, Hey, I just need a different perspective. But being able to do that, even it sounds simple, but it's not.

  Mark Heather (21:24)

  Yes, that's the difference.

  Rachelle Smith (21:26)

  That's not, but thank you for providing this to veterans. Thank you, Michael, for sharing your experience as well. And again, so proud of you, so happy for you. And I think so many people are going to benefit from this episode and eternally grateful to you both.

  Mark Heather (21:46)

  Thank you very much.

  Michael O'Connor (21:47)

  gonna get a of you.

  Rachelle Smith (21:49)

  Hey!

Veteran Addiction Treatment for PTSD and Military Sexual Trauma: What Helped One Combat Veteran Recover

Combat veteran Michael O’Connor shares his journey from living overseas isolated from VA resources to finding help through the Veterans of Foreign Wars, entering treatment at Miracles Asia, co-founded by Mark Heathe during COVID, and building a life in recovery he never imagined possible.

Michael O’Connor, an 82nd Airborne Infantry veteran, shares his personal transformation after transitioning to civilian life. Having struggled with trauma, moral injury, and a deep sense of loss following his military service, he turned to addiction as a coping mechanism. Michael, who is also a Military Sexual Trauma survivor and a veteran outreach advocate for Miracles Asia in Thailand, now stresses the critical role of community in a veteran’s sobriety and recovery. Peer support reawakened his sense of purpose and duty, resulting in a drive to help more veterans find the same.

If you’re a veteran currently struggling with addiction, remember you are not alone. Join Michael in finding brotherhood and hope in recovery.

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Mark and Michael appeared on The Silenced Voices of MST to discuss how Miracles Asia provides holistic recovery for veterans struggling with addiction, PTSD, and trauma, including military sexual trauma. Michael shares his journey from living overseas isolated from VA resources to finding help through the Veterans of Foreign Wars, entering treatment at Miracles Asia during COVID, and building a life in recovery he never imagined possible. He now works with Miracles Asia to help other veterans access the same care that saved his life.

Potential Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of addiction, suicidal ideation, sexual trauma, substance use disorders, and PTSD.

Introduction to Miracles Asia and Personal Journeys

Michael lived in Southeast Asia for many years, disconnected from the VA and any recovery communities. He was off grid, overseas for a long time without the support systems that might have helped him recognize he needed treatment. The pain finally became too great. He reached a tipping point where he had to raise his hand and ask for help.

Asking for help required surrender, which Michael acknowledges is particularly difficult for veterans. He references the Ranger Creed, which states that surrender is not a Ranger word. Yet through surrender, he achieved victory. He realized that his greatest weakness became his greatest strength. That tipping point required not only asking for help but also becoming willing to let go and trust people he did not know.

Michael points out that resources for veterans now feel like an ocean. Veterans new to seeking help face the challenge of navigating where to go when there are so many places and options. He did not understand at the time that he had services available to him.

To keep the mic on, I have often prioritized the show over my own basic needs like groceries and gas. I am incredibly grateful for the small donations from guests that have come in over the months, but I am firm in my belief that this show should be a resource for survivors, not a financial burden on them. This work is for the community, and it is important to me that I do not rely on the people I am meant to be helping.

Why Seeking Help is Difficult for Veterans

Michael explains how veterans living overseas can access treatment through the VA Foreign Medical Program (FMP). When he needs care, he can go to an accredited facility and generally pays out of pocket first, then the FMP reimburses him. Because there is a massive community of veterans overseas, many institutions now cater to the veteran community.

Bangkok Hospital, for example, treats veterans and then bills the FMP directly. This removes the burden of paying out of pocket, which helps veterans who are living on disability benefits or social security. The VFW in Chiang Mai reached out to Mark when Michael needed help. At that time, Michael was willing to do whatever it took. Mark took him in during COVID, even though he was not sure about how it would work. Mark knew Michael needed help and was willing to provide it.

Michael's Transformation due to Miracles Asia's Program

Miracles Asia operates as a small, family-owned center on a tropical island in Thailand. The environment itself contributes to healing.

Michael addresses how substance use and alcoholism are prevalent in the sexual trauma space. Substance use disorders co-occur with PTSD. The VA and the government acknowledge this connection, which allows veterans to get care through the FMP.

When Michael entered treatment at Miracles Asia and removed alcohol and drugs from his life, he was able to work through meditation, EMDR, CBT, eating right, sleeping right, and being in a community of loving and kind people. This holistic wellness allowed him to openly discuss other things as well, including his sexual trauma.

What Sets Miracles Asia Apart From Other Rehabs

Michael credits Miracles Asia with giving him a life beyond his imagination. He contrasts the program with traditional rehabilitation facilities he experienced before, which felt sterile, isolating, and transactional. Those programs followed a set timeline where patients completed treatment and then returned home to manage recovery alone.

Miracles Asia operates as a small, family-owned center on a tropical island in Thailand. The environment itself contributes to healing. The program incorporates yoga, walks on the beach, fresh food, excursions, and community building as essential elements of recovery. Mark and Michael say the setting matters because trauma and addiction affect the whole person, and healing requires more than addressing symptoms in clinical settings.

The holistic approach includes meditation, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, healthy eating, physical activity, and genuine connection with others in recovery. Michael appreciates the passion Mark and his team bring to working with veterans and civilians. The small scale allows for individualized attention and flexibility in treatment approaches.

Learning to meditate, talking in group settings, and asking for help all felt uncomfortable at first. These practices required Michael to confront the military conditioning that taught him to suppress emotions and handle everything independently.

Expanding Their Program to More Veterans

Michael now works with Miracles Asia to market their services to the veteran community and participates in ongoing Zoom meetings that foster continued support after treatment. This ongoing connection prevents the isolation that often leads to relapse. Mark and Michael are expanding the program to accommodate more veterans through a specific veteran cohort, with their first group arriving soon.

Michael shares that Miracles Asia's doctor identified one of his medications was causing suicidal ideation and discontinued it. He is now abstinent from pharmaceuticals and reports feeling better than he has in years. This medical oversight represents another way Miracles Asia differs from programs that might not thoroughly evaluate how medications interact with trauma recovery.

Michael Shares His Experience with EMDR Treatment

Mark and Michael explain EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) as a therapeutic method that helps individuals process trauma without requiring detailed verbal descriptions of traumatic events. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, typically through guided eye movements, to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories and reduce their emotional impact.

Research supports EMDR as an effective treatment for PTSD. A 2019 study found EMDR was clinically effective and the most cost-effective of 11 trauma therapies evaluated for adults with PTSD (Simpson et al., 2025). A 1998 study by Carlson et al found that military veterans who received EMDR experienced a 77% remission in their PTSD diagnosis within 12 sessions (Carlson et al., 1998).

EMDR does not require detailed descriptions of traumatic events, prolonged exposure to memories, or homework between sessions. Both weekly treatment and intensive daily treatment groups produced statistically significant results that were maintained at 1-year follow-up. The 10-day EMDR intensive daily treatment produced similar outcomes to weekly treatment.

Michael describes his EMDR sessions at Miracles Asia with honesty about the initial difficulty. He experienced anger and emotional intensity during the process. Despite the discomfort, he found EMDR valuable for processing trauma that had affected him for years. He points out that EMDR is non-invasive and drug-free.

The VA offers EMDR for free to MST survivors. Veterans do not need to have reported the incident when it happened, and they do not need documentation to access care. Eligibility for VA MST-related care is expansive. The VA offers evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Processing Therapy and EMDR to address trauma symptoms effectively, regardless of service-connected disability status.

The New Coping Tools for a Healthy Life

Michael discusses the importance of daily routines and rituals in maintaining recovery. He acknowledges the initial awkwardness and vulnerability involved in learning new coping mechanisms. Learning to meditate, talking in group settings, and asking for help all felt uncomfortable at first. These practices required Michael to confront the military conditioning that taught him to suppress emotions and handle everything independently.

The tools Michael learned at Miracles Asia help him navigate daily struggles without resorting to substance use. He says recovery does not mean achieving a perfect life without challenges. Recovery means having the tools to cope with life's difficulties in healthy ways. When stress, triggers, or painful emotions arise, Michael now has alternatives to alcohol and drugs.

The stakes for developing these tools are high. About 30% of Army suicides and over 45% of suicide attempts since 2003 involved alcohol or drug use (NIDA, 2025). An average of 20 veterans die by suicide every day (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2016). If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and press 1. Recovery tools and daily practices can save lives by providing veterans with ways to manage PTSD symptoms, process trauma, and maintain sobriety during difficult periods.

The Prevalence of Sexual Trauma in Veteran Recovery Stories

Michael O’Connor and Mark Heather appear on The Silenced Voices of MST to discuss how Miracles Asia provides holistic recovery for veterans struggling with addiction, PTSD, and trauma, including military sexual trauma.

Michael notes the prevalence of sexual trauma among people in recovery spaces. He commits to openly discussing and advocating for this issue within the veteran community. He wants to break the stigma surrounding sexual trauma in ways similar to how stigma around addiction has decreased over recent decades. By speaking openly about his own experience with sexual trauma, Michael hopes to make it easier for other veterans to seek help.

An estimated 1 in 3 female veterans and 1 in 50 male veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system report experiencing sexual assault or harassment in the military (VA National Center for PTSD, 2024). While women face higher rates of sexual trauma by percentage, nearly 40% of veterans who disclose Military Sexual Trauma to the VA are men (DAV, 2024). Sexual trauma affects veterans across all demographics.

Female veterans are more likely to experience mental illness and sexual trauma, and face increased risk of developing substance use disorders when they have PTSD or specific medical conditions. They are also at greater risk for suicide compared to female civilians and male veterans.

Approximately 14% of men and 24% of women veterans are diagnosed with PTSD (VA, 2024). About 29% of living U.S. veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan have had PTSD at some point in their lives (NIDA, 2025). These statistics represent individuals living with real pain who need access to comprehensive treatment that addresses both trauma and any co-occurring substance use disorders.

A Special Message for Veterans Who Might Be Struggling

Mark says veterans do not have to face recovery alone. Veterans frequently isolate themselves due to shame, stigma, or the belief that others cannot understand their experiences. This isolation increases the risk of relapse and suicide.

Michael encourages veterans to ask for help, share openly about their struggles, and connect with others in recovery. He talks about the importance of faith and connection in his own recovery journey. The community at Miracles Asia and the ongoing support through Zoom meetings provide Michael with people who understand addiction and trauma recovery.

Research confirms the importance of community-centered treatment. Veterans with PTSD and alcohol use disorder had significantly elevated rates of major depression (36.8% versus 2.3%), generalized anxiety disorder (43.5% versus 4.1%), suicidal ideation (39.1% versus 7.0%), and suicide attempts (46.0% versus 4.1%) compared to veterans with alcohol use disorder only (Norman et al., 2019). The combination of PTSD and substance use disorder creates compounding mental health risks that require integrated treatment.

Holistic treatment for veterans addresses diverse and complex needs by integrating alternative therapies and lifestyle changes that heal the whole person. Miracles Asia incorporates this community-centered approach in their programming.

Resources for Veterans Seeking Help

Veterans struggling with addiction, PTSD, or trauma can take several steps to access help. The Veterans of Foreign Wars connected Michael with Miracles Asia, and they can connect other veterans with appropriate resources. Organizations like the VFW understand the specific challenges veterans face and can provide guidance on navigating treatment options for veteran rehab that treats MST.

Veterans can contact the VA about MST-related care without needing proof or documentation of the assault. The VA's policy on MST-related care is designed to reduce barriers to treatment. Veterans can also inquire about EMDR therapy through the VA, which offers it at no cost.

Treatment options like Miracles Asia in Phuket, Thailand provide alternatives to traditional rehabilitation facilities for PTSD and addiction treatment for combat veterans. The Foreign Medical Program may reimburse treatment costs for veterans seeking overseas addiction treatment for veterans. Some facilities, including Bangkok Hospital, bill the Foreign Medical Program directly, reducing the financial burden on veterans.

Connecting with other veterans through support groups, online forums, or veteran organizations provides community support that enhances recovery. Michael found this community essential to his ongoing sobriety and mental health.

Contact Miracles Asia

For more information about Miracles Asia's veteran addiction treatment program in Phuket, Thailand:

Website: www.miraclesasia.com

Phone: +66 (0) 76 367 788

Email: info@miraclesasia.com

Miracles Asia specializes in treating co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders in veterans, with expertise in military sexual trauma recovery. The program accepts referrals from the VFW and works with the VA Foreign Medical Program for eligible veterans.

Episode Chapters and Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Miracles Asia and Personal Journeys

Triggering content 00:09 - 00:45 that includes discussion of PTSD, alcohol and drug addiction, and sexual trauma

01:58 Why Seeking Help is Difficult for Veterans

Triggering content 02:35 - 03:15 that includes discussion of suicidal ideation and surrender

04:50 Michael's Transformation due to Miracles Asia's Program

07:08 What Sets Miracles Asia Apart From Other Rehabs

09:29 Expanding Their Program to More Veterans

Triggering content 11:00 - 11:46 that includes discussion of suicidal ideation as a side effect of medication

12:17 Michael Shares His Experience with EMDR Treatment

14:33 The New Coping Tools for a Healthy Life

16:35 The Prevalence of Sexual Trauma in Veteran Recovery Stories

Triggering content 16:35 - 18:17 that includes discussion of sexual trauma prevalence in recovery spaces

19:26 A Special Message for Veterans Who Might Be Struggling

References

Carlson, J. G., Chemtob, C. M., Rusnak, K., Hedlund, N. L., & Muraoka, M. Y. (1998). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EDMR) treatment for combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 11(1), 3-24.

Disabled American Veterans (DAV). (2024). What is MST? Military Sexual Trauma. Retrieved from https://www.dav.org/get-help-now/veteran-topics-resources/military-sexual-trauma-mst/

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2025, January 30). Substance Use and Military Life DrugFacts. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/substance-use-military-life

Norman, S. B., Hamblen, J. L., Schnurr, P. P., Eftekhari, A., Stein, M. B., Rosen, C., ... & Karlin, B. E. (2019). Co-Occurring Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder in U.S. Military and Veteran Populations. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, 40(2).

Norman, S. B., Haller, M., Hamblen, J. L., Southwick, S. M., & Pietrzak, R. H. (2017). Substance use disorders in military veterans: prevalence and treatment challenges. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, 8, 69-77.

Simpson, A., Dutton, M., Dimambro, M., Gebhardt, H., Fraade, A., Winer, M., Enciso, M., & Shiner, B. (2025). Clinical and cost-effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for treatment and prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Psychology.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2016). Veteran suicide data report. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/data.asp

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD. (2024). Military Sexual Trauma. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/types/sexual_trauma_military.asp

Veterans Addiction. (2025, June 17). Statistics on Veterans and Substance Abuse. Retrieved from https://veteranaddiction.org/resources/veteran-statistics/

Greater Than Myself | Veteran Mental Health: Addressing Trauma, Moral Injury, and Community in Recovery

Michael O’Connor, an 82nd Airborne Infantry veteran, shares his personal transformation after transitioning to civilian life. Having struggled with trauma, moral injury, and a deep sense of loss following his military service, he turned to addiction as a coping mechanism. Michael, who is also a Military Sexual Trauma survivor and a veteran outreach advocate for Miracles Asia in Thailand, now stresses the critical role of community in a veteran’s sobriety and recovery. Peer support reawakened his sense of purpose and duty, resulting in a drive to help more veterans find the same.

If you’re a veteran currently struggling with addiction, remember you are not alone. Join Michael in finding brotherhood and hope in recovery.

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I joined the Army to be a part of the noblest cause— a sense of duty, honor, country. I sought purpose, structure, and the challenge of being a warrior. Serving in the 82nd Airborne Division fulfilled that calling. As an Airborne Infantryman, I discovered the kind of brotherhood forged only through sweat, sacrifice, and shared hardship. The trust we placed in each other during airborne operations and deployments to foreign countries wasn’t just about tactics. We forged unbreakable bonds.

“No man is an island unto himself; we are waves of the same sea, leaves of the same tree, breath of the same spirit.”

— Marcus Aurelius

In the airborne community, it was more than wearing the same uniform; we shared the same spirit of adventure in service to our country. We trained and fought under the most challenging conditions. We endured, not just for ourselves, but for each other. That spirit made even the hardest days feel meaningful.

In the 82nd, our actions were geared toward the mission, the unit, and the man to our left and right.

This work is necessary, but it cannot continue as a one person sacrifice. I am asking for your support to help transition this platform into a sustainable resource. If this mission matters to you, please consider making a donation or sharing this campaign with your network.

Military Transition: Moral Injury and Veteran Addiction

82nd Airborne veteran Michael O'Connor shares his powerful story of Military Transition, Moral Injury, and Veteran Addiction.

But the mission doesn’t last forever. Transitioning to civilian life was disorienting. The structure vanished. The sense of purpose blurred. The brotherhood faded into the rearview. I was left with echoes—memories of camaraderie and adrenaline, but no roadmap for peace. I struggled to find where I belonged. The war may have ended, but the battle within had just begun.  Trauma and moral injury haunted me.

Promising relief, addiction took root in that void. Instead, it delivered destruction in a way no battlefield ever could. Yet even in my darkest moments, something inside me remembered who I was: a warrior. Not one without wounds, but one who could still stand.

Veteran Community: Sobriety and Accountability

Surrender is not a Ranger word, but I found that in my new mission of sobriety, I achieve victory through surrender, a day at a time. In the rooms and online communities of recovery, I saw something familiar: shared stories, mutual accountability, and deep bonds formed in the trenches of struggle. Helping others rise from the depths of addiction reawakened my sense of duty. Serving those with trauma and substance use disorders, especially veterans, became a sacred calling.

Seneca wrote, “Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.” And I’ve learned that through kindness, service, and empathy, we rebuild the very brotherhood we thought we had lost. The esprit de corps that once lived in barracks and battlefields now lives in communities I serve, one veteran helping another.

You’re not alone, and you can explore more survivor stories and resources on our blog.

Veteran Outreach: Trauma and Substance Use Disorder Support

“I recover out loud so that others don’t have to suffer in silence. ”

— Michael O'Connor

Today, I serve my community and country in a different uniform - not one stitched from camouflage, but from courage and compassion. My weapon is no longer a rifle but a message of hope. The mission hasn’t ended; it’s evolved. And I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with a new platoon of men and women walking the path of recovery, fighting for their lives, and rediscovering their worth.

As Marcus Aurelius said, “Let your one delight and refreshment be to pass from one act of service to the community to another, with God ever in mind.” 

I have found purpose again. And for that purpose, I have found peace.

Frequently Asked Questions

• 1. What is the connection between transitioning out of the military and addiction in veterans?

  The transition to civilian life removes protective influences of military structure, which can make substance use and other mental health issues a greater concern [1]. The period of readjustment and reintegration presents unique mental health challenges [1]. Environmental stressors specific to military personnel, including deployment, combat exposure, and post-deployment reintegration challenges, are directly linked to an increased risk of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) [1]. Veterans with SUDs are also 3 to 4 times more likely to receive a PTSD or depression diagnosis, indicating a strong co-occurring mental health component [1].

• 2. What resources are available for veterans struggling with Substance Use Disorder?

  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides comprehensive services for substance use problems, including [2]:

  • Crisis Support: The Veterans Crisis Line (Call 988 and select 1, Text 838255, or confidential chat) is available 24/7.

  • Medical Treatment: Medically managed detoxification, drug substitution therapies (like methadone and buprenorphine for opiate addiction), and nicotine replacement options.

  • Counseling and Therapy: Short-term outpatient counseling, intensive outpatient treatment, residential (live-in) care, and continuing care/relapse prevention.

  • Specialized Programs: Support is available for co-occurring conditions like PTSD and depression. Combat Veterans can also receive free, private counseling at over 300 community Vet Centers [2].

  International Outreach: The post mentions that Michael O'Connor serves as a veteran outreach advocate for Miracles Asia in Thailand, a facility that offers trauma-informed recovery programs and services, including [5]:

  • Individualized Care: Programs are limited to a maximum of 15 guests for focused attention.

  • Therapy Structure: Guests receive two 1-hour individual therapy sessions with a therapist each week.

  • Experienced Team: Most of the team members are in long-term, active recovery.

  • Aftercare: Guests receive 60 days of one-on-one support from the Clinical Team via an Aftercare program.

• 3. How can finding a community help veterans with long-term sobriety and support?

  Regaining a sense of camaraderie and support is one of the biggest hurdles during transition. Finding a community helps veterans by [3]:

  • Providing Support: Sharing experiences with others eases negative emotions and can aid in recovery from trauma.

  • Creating Connection: Getting involved in local community activities, like sports, volunteering, or mentorships, helps combat social withdrawal and isolation.

  • Serving Others: Veterans are encouraged to find a way to serve others and share their important stories and skills, which benefits peers and co-workers and can foster a new sense of mission [3].

• 4. How can I find a sense of structure after leaving the military?

  Finding a new purpose is key to overcoming the disorienting feeling of a lost mission and routine [3]. You can find a new sense of structure by [3]:

  • Recognizing the Issue: Awareness is the first step toward overcoming barriers.

  • Rekindling Your Passion: Build new habits based on enjoyable activities or commit to mastering a new skill, which can be a huge source of fulfillment and instill a sense of purpose into your daily routine.

  • Finding a New Mission: Veterans who successfully transition often find a new mission in saving lives, such as by becoming psychiatric nurses, or otherwise serving the community [3].

• 5. How can I address moral injury and trauma after military service?

  Moral injury is the psychological aftermath of events that contradict deeply held moral beliefs, often resulting in feelings of intense guilt, shame, disgust, or anger [4]. Specific treatments are available to address these core concerns [4]:

  • Trauma-Focused Therapies: Treatments for PTSD, such as Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), have been shown to be effective for patients with moral injury by helping process guilt, shame, and beliefs about betrayal [4].

  • Specialized Treatments: Other treatments specifically targeting moral injury include Adaptive Disclosure, Trauma Informed Guilt Reduction Therapy (TrIGR), and Building Spiritual Strength [4].

Sources Used —

1. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Substance Use and Military Life

2. VA.gov: Substance Use Treatment For Veterans

3. Make The Connection: Finding New Purpose After the Military

4. VA.gov: Moral Injury - PTSD: National Center for PTSD

5. Miracles Asia: Rehab Questions

Ron Carter’s New Goals for Military Sexual Trauma Survivors (Part 3) The Silenced Voices of MST with Rachelle Smith

U.S. Army veteran Ron Carter discusses Military Sexual Trauma, finding benefit in doing intensive therapy and somatic release to come to terms with what he survived while serving on The Silenced Voices of MST.

U.S. Army veteran Ron Carter continues his story on The Silenced Voices of MST. In Part 1, Ron shared his experience of assault and decades of undiagnosed PTSD. In Part 2, he shares a possible reason for the outcome of filing his disability claim with uncharacteristic ease that validated his trauma and raised more questions, reaching his breaking point at an annual VA appointment, and his experiences through therapy and alternative treatments. Ron shares insights in going from crisis to acceptance, the role of persistence in navigating, and what is possible when survivors finally find therapies that work.

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Finding The Monster Inside of Me

Ron discusses his book The Monster Inside of Me, available on Amazon, which tells his personal story of surviving military sexual trauma. When Ron thinks about Military Sexual Trauma, he draws a direct comparison to the Catholic Church priest abuse scandal. "Those priests were being shuffled around," Ron explains. To him, what happens with MST is just as horrible. The key difference is media attention. The Catholic Church scandal dominated headlines while military sexual trauma barely registers as newsworthy to senators, congresspeople, or major outlets. Ron believes men being less willing to talk about what happened contributes to this silence.

Ron makes clear he'll talk about military sexual trauma with anyone, anywhere, regardless of what people think. He emphasizes Americans need to know this happens every single day.

How the Book Came Together with Investigative Editor Martin Phillips

Ron shares the story of how he came to work with Martin Phillips, an investigative editor who recently retired from The Sun in London. The connection happened through a chain of events starting with a trip to Texas to meet Eddie Dean, someone with ideas about brain function. During the visit, Ron connected with a veteran who had worked with British author Damien Lewis, known for World War II books and whose work was recently adapted into the Guy Ritchie film The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. He confirmed the story should be told but explained he was under contract through 2027, which led to the introduction to Martin Phillips.

The two worked together for a year and a half, emailing, editing, and conducting calls. Ron shared his experiences, Martin would send questions, and Ron would provide detailed answers. Despite their efforts, they couldn't find a publisher willing to take on the book. The reluctance stems from concerns about hurting military recruitment numbers, which also explains why mainstream media ignores the issue. Ron plans to continue his advocacy work by reaching out to major podcast hosts like Lex Fridman and Shawn Ryan, challenging them to address an issue affecting their military community.

The Reaction When People Hear the Truth

Trigger Warning: sharing his MST story with others and the scale of MST

Ron explains that conversations about his experiences typically begin with someone asking how his VA benefits were secured. He mentions that people assume combat-related PTSD because of his appearance and demeanor.

When the clarification comes, it always surprises them. No combat? Ron discloses the truth of being drugged, beaten, and raped during military service.

 U.S. Army veteran Ron Carter discusses Military Sexual Trauma, finding benefit in doing intensive therapy and somatic release to come to terms with what he survived while serving on The Silenced Voices of MST.

He explains that without exception, every single person drops their jaw in shock and disbelief. They can't believe this happens, especially to thousands of service members every single year. For survivors who've lived through this trauma, sweeping it under the rug becomes impossible once they find the strength to speak. These are young people who signed their lives away to serve their country, who may be asked to die for their country, and who are being raped by the people they're supposed to trust. The military is supposed to protect young troops through the NCO and officer corps, yet nearly every story involves enlisted personnel being taken advantage of by someone of higher rank, particularly NCOs.

Ron gets angry about this because the victims are poor kids, and they're still kids when this happens.

The normalization and secrecy doesn't make it acceptable, and the problem extends far beyond the United States military. Ron has connected with survivors in Australia, the UK, and other countries who share similar experiences. The pattern stays consistent across armed services around the world: military sexual trauma disproportionately affects young, economically disadvantaged service members.

The Power of Fighting and Refusing to Be Silent

Ron emphasizes how the military has historically driven cultural change in America. The armed forces were the first to integrate racially and pay women equally. Veterans carry these values back into their communities. Ron never spoke to a Black person before joining the military. His senior drill sergeant forced him to shed his biases quickly because survival required trusting every fellow service member. Those bonds between brothers make the betrayal of military sexual trauma horrific. When someone you trust with your life commits sexual violence against you, it shatters something.

Ron's Message to Survivors

Ron speaks directly to survivors who've held onto their stories for years. His first message: don't kill yourself. Ron has attempted suicide himself and feels grateful God saved his life. Life gets better, though the work is hard. The second hurdle is saying something about what happened. Ron understands this difficulty because it took a complete mental breakdown before he could speak about his own trauma.

Ron urges young survivors especially not to wait to seek help. Life becomes unbearably hard with hypervigilance. Veterans have extensive benefits and help available through the VA. Finding a battle buddy who's already navigated the system helps.

The VA Does Care and the Therapy Works

Ron’s message to survivors: stick with treatment because the VA staff care. People wouldn't work in those positions if they didn't care about helping veterans.

The therapy available through the VA is good, though survivors must do substantial work independently. This includes reading books and, for those who are religious, reconnecting with faith or finding a higher power. Over the last three to four years of healing and growth, Ron returned to Christ, which reinforced his therapy work. His spiritual practice reinforced his psilocybin treatment as well.

“I want this to stop. I want it to end for you men and young women, period, in our military. I want this to stop around the world.”

— Ron Carter

Healing requires getting out of a victim mentality and moving away from decision-making through the lizard brain's fight-or-flight response. Humans evolved to develop the frontal lobe, and using it to process thoughts and emotions in healthy ways is essential. This doesn't mean anger or sadness disappear. Instead, learning to process those emotions constructively instead of staying stuck in fight-or-flight mode prevents the creation of anxiety, depression, or both.

Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or ideation should reach out to someone at the VA immediately and get help.

Life Now: From Suicidal Ideation to Self-Love

Over the last three to four years, Ron’s life has transformed, and he exists in a much better emotional and psychological place exists now. This is a complete reversal from not long ago.

Ron’s core message must be emphasized: don't take your life.

Many people are told to reach out for help but don't follow through because they believe they're not worth it. The truth is different. Survivors are worth it. Finding a veteran friend who's already navigated the system helps. Survivors who reach out will find someone who responds, talks to them, helps them get started, hears their story, and listens. What most people want is telling their story to someone who cares.

Discouragement shouldn't win. If a therapist or doctor isn't a good fit, find a different one. Survivors will drive their own ship, and they must captain it. The subconscious should serve as the captain, with survivors controlling their internal dialogue.

The people you love... those relationships get better when moving away from suicidal ideation and hyper-vigilance. Ron wholeheartedly believes that humans are designed to love each other, and offers love freely to anyone who needs it.

This message extends to all survivors. Tell the young version of yourself you're loved and did nothing wrong. This applies to combat veterans as well. You were doing what you were asked to do, what you signed up to do. You were put through hell on earth. War is hell on earth, and sexual trauma is hell on earth, a different kind of war. All these traumatic experiences are spiritual wars happening in the mind. The message: you're loved.

Frequently Asked Questions About Military Sexual Trauma and Recovery

• How do I get help if I experienced military sexual trauma?

  If you're a veteran who experienced military sexual trauma, start by contacting the VA. There are specialized MST coordinators at every VA facility who help you navigate benefits and treatment options. You don't need a service-connected disability rating to receive free MST-related care from the VA. You also call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 (press 1) or text 838255 for immediate support. The Safe Helpline at 877-995-5247 provides confidential support specifically for military sexual trauma survivors. Finding a battle buddy or friend who's gone through the VA process also helps you navigate the system.

• Why do men not report military sexual trauma?

  Men are less willing to talk about military sexual trauma for several reasons. There's significant stigma around male survivors of sexual assault. Many men fear being seen as weak or worry about how they'll be perceived. Ron Carter points out when he tells people he was drugged, beaten, and raped, their jaws drop because they can't believe it happens, especially to men. The shame and isolation are overwhelming. Men also may not be taken as seriously when they report, and they face the same retaliation risks as women. Ron emphasizes men need to speak up because MST happens to thousands of male service members every year.

• What is hypervigilance and how does it affect MST survivors?

  Hypervigilance is a state of constant alertness and heightened awareness many trauma survivors experience. It happens when your brain stays in fight-or-flight mode instead of using your frontal lobe to process thoughts and emotions in a healthy way. Ron Carter describes it as living with constant anxiety, depression, or both. When you live with hypervigilance, life becomes extremely difficult. You can't be the person you were designed to be, and it damages your relationships with people you love. Ron promises life is way too hard with hypervigilance and urges survivors, especially young ones, not to wait to get help. Learning to process thoughts and emotions through therapy instead of staying in fight-or-flight response is critical to healing.

• Why does the media not cover military sexual trauma more?

  Ron Carter believes the media doesn't cover military sexual trauma adequately because it would kill military recruiting. While something horrific occasionally happens to women and makes headlines briefly, the issue doesn't stay newsworthy to senators, congresspeople, or major media outlets. Ron compares MST to the Catholic Church priest abuse scandal, noting both involve institutions shuffling predators around and silencing victims, yet MST receives far less attention. He suspects because men are less willing to talk about it, and because it would hurt military recruitment and readiness narratives, the issue stays largely hidden. Ron is determined to change this by speaking up anywhere he goes, including reaching out to platforms like Lex Fridman and the Shawn Ryan Show.

• Is it normal to have suicidal thoughts after military sexual trauma?

  Yes, suicidal thoughts are unfortunately common among MST survivors, but Ron Carter's first and most important message is: Don't kill yourself. Ron himself has attempted suicide and is grateful God saved his life. He says this is what makes him cry, thinking about survivors who are struggling with depression and suicidal ideation. Life gets better, and it does. It's hard work, but it does get better. The next hard hurdle after deciding not to end your life is saying something and reaching out for help. If you have suicidal thoughts or ideation, reach out to someone at the VA immediately, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 (press 1), or text 838255. Ron promises you're worth it, even when you don't feel this way.

• Are there organizations that specifically help male MST survivors?

  Resources specifically for male MST survivors are extremely limited. While the VA has MST coordinators at every facility who serve all genders, very few dedicated programs exist for men. Salt Lake Behavioral Health operates one of the few male-only military sexual trauma programs, a 30-day inpatient PTSD treatment program specializing in MST (Salt Lake Behavioral Health, 2025). Other organizations like the Military Rape Crisis Center, Warrior's Heart, and Road Home Program serve all genders but don't have male-specific programming. This gap in services reflects the broader invisibility of male MST survivors in the healthcare system. Every VA medical center has an MST Coordinator who assists male survivors in accessing care (VA Mental Health, 2025).

• How many male service members actually experience MST?

  The numbers of male MST survivors are significantly underreported. Official VA data shows 1.1% of male veterans report military sexual trauma when screened (Kimerling et al., 2016), but this is only those who disclose. The Department of Defense reported 5.7% of male service members experienced military sexual harassment and 0.6% experienced military sexual assault, though these figures are considered low due to reporting and disclosure barriers (Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2024). Studies suggest approximately 90% of men in the military didn't report a sexual assault they experienced in 2021 (DAV, 2017). Despite lower percentages compared to women, the numbers of male and female MST survivors are comparable due to the higher ratio of men to women in the military. Nearly 40% of veterans who disclose MST to the VA are men (DAV, 2017). Over half of all veterans with military sexual trauma are men, making this a significant issue affecting male service members at alarming rates (VA Claims Insider, 2022).

• What unique barriers do male MST survivors face in seeking help?

  Male MST survivors face distinct barriers preventing them from seeking help and disclosing their trauma. According to research, male survivors may be especially likely to tell no one and go it alone after MST due to fears of being judged (Make the Connection, VA.gov). Men often worry others will perceive the assault as weakness, femininity, or homosexual orientation, creating significant stigma (DAV, 2017). The VA National Center for PTSD notes perceived stigma impacts recovery, and male survivors face challenges in this area. Research published in Frontiers in Psychiatry (2024) found 94% of suicide deaths in Active Duty are males, yet male survivors receive far less attention and fewer dedicated resources. Additionally, studies of suicide risk among male MST survivors are notably limited, and given their overall risk for death by suicide, additional studies in males are needed to better understand this phenomenon (Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2024). The combination of stigma, lack of male-specific resources, and fear of not being believed creates a storm keeping male survivors silent and suffering.

Episode Trigger Warnings and Timestamps

• 00:00 The Monster Inside: A Journey of Healing

• Triggering content 4:36-7:50 (sharing his MST story with others and the scale of MST)

• 05:29 The Hidden Epidemic in the Military

• 07:26 The Fight for Awareness and Change

• 07:45 Finding Your Voice and Seeking Help

• 11:07 A Message to Survivors: You Are Not Alone

• 19:25 Words of Love for the Younger Self

Resources from this Episode

1. The Monster Inside of Me

2. Veterans Ranch

3. Heroic Hearts Project

Resources for Survivors

If you or someone you know is struggling with military sexual trauma, resources are available. For additional support navigating VA claims, download our free VA Disability Toolkit.

• VA MST Support: Every VA facility has an MST coordinator. You don't need a service-connected disability rating or other VA benefits to receive MST-related care. Call your local VA or visit www.va.gov to connect with an MST coordinator.

• Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, then press 1. Available 24/7 for veterans in crisis. You can also text 838255 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net.

• Military OneSource: Offers confidential counseling and support for active-duty service members and their families. Call 800-342-9647 or visit MilitaryOneSource.mil

• The Advocates of MST: By joining The Advocates, you add to a powerful collective voice that demands attention and action. Connect with others who understand your experiences and are committed to supporting each other. Find support at https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadvocatesofmst

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Watch or Listen to Ron's Full Story

You can hear Part 3 Ron Carter’s story on The Silenced Voices of MST podcast available on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. We dive deeper into his experience with the VA, his therapeutic journey, and his current advocacy work. If you haven't already, listen to Part 1 of Ron's story where he shares his assault experience and the years of undiagnosed PTSD that followed. In Part 2, he shares his experience of finding acceptance and peace.

About the Guest

Ron Carter is a former Army infantryman turned MST advocate. After surviving a premeditated and devastating assault while on active duty, he committed himself to supporting others who have been affected. Through speaking engagements and community work, Ron pushes for better resources and policy change and uses his platform to amplify survivor voices.

About the Host

Rachelle Smith is the host of The Silenced Voices of MST and a survivor of military sexual trauma. She served as a Public Affairs Officer in the Air Force after growing up in a military family. Her experience with MST and the years spent struggling with PTSD and depression gave her a unique understanding of what survivors face. 

This podcast exists because she knew firsthand how isolating MST can be. Since launching The Silenced Voices of MST in 2023, she’s interviewed dozens of survivors, advocates, and experts. Her mission is to empower survivors by providing a space to  amplify survivor stories and demand change.

Healing is the end goal of military sexual trauma.

You’re not alone, and you can explore more survivor stories and resources on our blog.

Help Keep This Podcast Going

I've been funding this podcast entirely on my own since 2023, and it hasn’t been easy. If this work has helped you or someone you care about, please consider supporting it with a monthly donation. Even $10 a month makes a real difference in covering hosting, editing, and production costs.

• Episodes index

• About page

Military Sexual Trauma and Letting Go of Repressed Pain: Ron Carter (Part 2) | The Silenced Voices of MST with Rachelle Smith

U.S. Army veteran Ron Carter discusses Military Sexual Trauma, finding benefit in doing intensive therapy and somatic release to come to terms with what he survived while serving on The Silenced Voices of MST.

U.S. Army veteran Ron Carter continues his story on The Silenced Voices of MST. In Part 1, Ron shared his experience of assault and decades of undiagnosed PTSD. In Part 2, he shares a possible reason for the outcome of filing his disability claim with uncharacteristic ease that validated his trauma and raised more questions, reaching his breaking point at an annual VA appointment, and his experiences through therapy and alternative treatments. Ron shares many profound insights going from crisis to acceptance, the role of persistence in navigating, and what is possible when survivors finally find therapies that work.

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Military Sexual Trauma survivor Ron Carter appears on The Silenced Voices of MST in Part 2 of his 3-part series to recount what it was like finally seeking help after trying to live his life without acknowledging or understanding the severity of his assault while serving in the Army. An unexplained breakdown and an understanding VA staff led to him remembering the trauma he’d repressed for 35 years, and as soon as he could, he began treatment for PTSD and other mental illnesses that had resulted. He shares the methods of therapy he used to begin healing, including a detailed account of how Psilocybin therapy offered him somatic release from the trauma that remained trapped in his body. He and Rachelle discuss how predators and perpetrators can be held accountable, as well as their hopes for future generations having safety without people who commit crimes and harm having many places to hide. This episode provides invaluable insights into the importance of having support, numerous methods of therapy to choose from, and acknowledges that the military needs to do something in order to protect the men and women called to serve the country. 

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Dealing with the VA Disability Claims Process

Ron initially avoided anything connected to his military service. Years of suppressing his trauma led to a disconnect from the experiences that shaped his post-military life. He describes burying the assault so deeply that he convinced himself it never happened, or at least that it didn't matter anymore. This avoidance extended to the VA system itself. Ron resisted engaging with the VA because the military had already failed him once, and he questioned why the VA would be any different.

Despite his resistance, Ron eventually filed for PTSD disability. The approval came quickly. The VA granted him a 70% rating, but Ron was surprised about how easy it was to get to 100% with the help of a lawyer. The unexpected ease of the approval process raised questions about his perpetrator. Had the platoon sergeant harmed more people the same way? Without answers, Ron recalls that at times, he still feels rage resurface about that day. But he is also unsure that he would want that information, because he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to keep himself from doing anything about it.

Expressing deep concern for the future service members in the Armed Forces, he points out that he is oddly glad that if an assault were to happen to him at any point in his life, he was grateful that it was while serving in the military. Now, there are multitudes of resources and help available when someone understands what happened to them. The veterans’ benefits helped him and his family, while he realizes that civilians don’t usually have the same access to care. He calls this a silver lining.

But he does want the next generations to not be a part of the current epidemic of military sexual trauma. He shares the numbers of people affected and suicides each year, and the infuriation of this continuing to happen consistently to the young people who are choosing to serve.

The Exhaustion that Led to Confronting the Past (Trigger Warning)

Trigger Warning: This section contains discussion of mental health crisis.

Even with the disability rating, he spent years holding everything in, feeling as though he was the only person this had ever happened to. Then came the breaking point at an annual appointment at the VA. 

"I went to talk and I couldn't talk. I started crying uncontrollably." Ron explains. The trigger for the breakdown?

The Physicians Assistant asked, “Hey Ron, how are you?”

“I can’t live like this anymore. I’m tired of
fighting.”

— Ron Carter

All those years of suppressing his trauma, and suddenly he couldn't do it anymore. He describes sitting in that VA office, confronting suicidal thoughts he'd been pushing away for decades. He was exhausted from hypervigilance and not understanding what was happening inside his body and mind. When the PA called a Psychiatrist down, he wasn’t able to speak to her either. It took quite a while for him to calm down enough to say, “I can’t live like this anymore. I’m tired of fighting.”

Ron's sudden outburst  was the culmination of years of isolation that nearly cost him his life during ongoing battles with suicidal ideation. The breakdown forced him to acknowledge that he could no longer survive by burying his pain. He needed help, and he needed it immediately. This crisis became the turning point that led him toward therapy, treatment, and eventually healing.

Remembering His Assault: Rediscovering Buried Memories

 U.S. Army veteran Ron Carter discusses Military Sexual Trauma, finding benefit in doing intensive therapy and somatic release to come to terms with what he survived while serving on The Silenced Voices of MST.

The psychiatrist that Ron spoke to listened to what Ron had been struggling with for decades, and identified severe depression and PTSD . He responded that he couldn’t have PTSD, because he hadn’t been in combat. The therapist told him to think about it to see if he could remember and assured him that it could be caused by more than combat.

In the interview, he says that he had forgotten what had happened, but memories of the assault began to surface after a few days of ruminating. Shocked, he had to gather his courage and return to the psychiatrist, saying flatly what happened through another crying jag. The doctor didn’t judge, and immediately got Ron into treatment and resources to begin the work of healing.

He didn't have the language or framework to understand what he was experiencing. Not realizing he had PTSD for decades meant also understanding it was real and damaging.

This process is common among trauma survivors. The brain protects us by suppressing memories too painful to process, but they don’t disappear completely. They continue to live in our bodies, affecting our relationships, our mental health, and our ability to function. Therapy gave Ron permission to remember. More importantly, it gave him tools to process without being destroyed.

Embracing Therapy and Psilocybin Treatment

Ron tried multiple therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Based Therapy and Written Talk Therapy and Written therapy helped, but it was a psilocybin treatment that created a breakthrough. He made serious progress identifying the experiences that harmed him, but still felt as though the trauma was trapped in his body for decades.

"I had a conversation with God," Ron explains. “It’s weird to talk about because I’ve not met a person yet who’s done it that can do it any justice with words."

Ron acknowledges that healing is a uniquely personal journey for everyone. What works for one person may not work for another, but the key is remaining open to different approaches and being willing to try new methods when traditional therapy plateaus. 

Written therapy allowed Ron to express thoughts he couldn't speak aloud, and psilocybin allowed him to access emotions he couldn't reach otherwise. He describes the experience as finally being able to release pain he didn't even know he was carrying, by seeing that all humans are connected and loved. The biggest lesson he took away from the hero dose session: I’m always loved, and I will always be loved.

Ron's Advocacy Mission

"Why would we go through these things if we can’t turn it into something that’s positive?" he asks, then emphasizes, "I want to help people, young men and women."

Ron now focuses on raising awareness about MST and supporting other survivors. His mission is clear: prevent the next generation of service members from experiencing the same trauma. Being silent for decades was survival in a system that punishes vulnerability. Talking openly on social media about his experience so others don't have to suffer in isolation, which results in receiving messages from people encouraged by his vulnerability to seek help.

Frequently Asked Questions about Military Sexual Trauma and Male Survivors

• How common is military sexual trauma among male service members?

  About 1 in 50 male veterans report military sexual trauma (VA National Center for PTSD), but studies using anonymous survey methodology found rates as high as 12.4% (Trauma, Violence & Abuse, 2011). The gap between reported and actual incidents reveals massive underreporting. Because of the higher ratio of men to women in the military, the raw numbers of men and women who experience MST are comparable, challenging the misconception that MST primarily affects women.

• Why don't male survivors report military sexual trauma?

  About 90% of men in the military did not report a sexual assault they experienced in 2021 (DAV). Overall, it's estimated that 77% of service member sexual assaults go unreported. Male survivors often worry that others will perceive the assault as weakness, femininity, or homosexual orientation. These cultural barriers, combined with fear of retaliation and career damage, make it especially difficult for male survivors to come forward.

• Is PTSD from MST different from combat-related PTSD?

  MST survivors are 7.25 times more likely to be diagnosed with PTSD than those who did not experience sexual trauma (Columbia Social Work Review). The severity of PTSD from MST is extreme. This is because MST involves betrayal by trusted colleagues within a system meant to provide safety, creating compounded trauma that requires specialized treatment.

• Are VA disability claims for MST getting approved more often?

  From 2011 to 2021, the total number of MST claims filed by men increased by more than 119%. The number of claims granted by the VA grew from 27.8% in 2011 to 68.5% in 2021 (VA Claims Insider). This shows significant progress, though it also reveals how many survivors had to fight for recognition and validation of their trauma.

• What is the suicide risk for MST survivors?

  Roughly 17 veterans die by suicide each day (VA Mental Health), and military sexual trauma puts veterans at significantly higher risk. MST survivors face compounded trauma that requires specialized support. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1.

• Do alternative therapies work for MST-related PTSD?

  Recent studies show that 60% of veterans with severe treatment-resistant depression who received psilocybin treatment met response criteria at three weeks. The VA announced funding for MDMA and psilocybin-assisted therapy studies in 2024, marking the first time since the 1960s that the VA has funded research on psychedelic compounds. Nine VA facilities are now participating in these studies.

• Do I need a VA disability rating to get MST treatment?

  No. You don't need a service-connected disability rating or other VA benefits to receive MST-related care. Every VA facility has an MST coordinator available to help survivors access treatment and support. Call your local VA or visit www.va.gov to connect with an MST coordinator.

Episode Trigger Warnings and Timestamps

• 00:00 VA Disability Claim and Possible Patterns of Abuse

• Triggering content 2:57 - 4:38 (suicide + MST statistics)

• 06:28 Breaking Down at the VA and Confronting Buried Trauma

• Triggering content 6:51 - 10:59  (Suicidal ideations, breakdown, remembering his repressed trauma)

• 11:08  Ron’s Beginning Different Modalities of Therapy

• 14:20 Ron’s Conversation with God

• 19:48 The Relationship Between Technology, Connection, and Accountability

• 23:30 Preview of Part 3 of Ron’s Story

Resources from this Episode

1. The Monster Inside of Me

2. Veterans Ranch

3. Heroic Hearts Project

Resources for Survivors

If you or someone you know is struggling with military sexual trauma, resources are available. For additional support navigating VA claims, download our free VA Disability Toolkit.

• VA MST Support: Every VA facility has an MST coordinator. You don't need a service-connected disability rating or other VA benefits to receive MST-related care. Call your local VA or visit www.va.gov to connect with an MST coordinator.

• Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, then press 1. Available 24/7 for veterans in crisis. You can also text 838255 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net.

• Military OneSource: Offers confidential counseling and support for active-duty service members and their families. Call 800-342-9647 or visit MilitaryOneSource.mil

• The Advocates of MST: By joining The Advocates, you add to a powerful collective voice that demands attention and action. Connect with others who understand your experiences and are committed to supporting each other. Find support at https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadvocatesofmst

---

Watch or Listen to Ron's Full Story

You can hear Part 2 of my interview with Ron Carter on The Silenced Voices of MST podcast available on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. We dive deeper into his experience with the VA, his therapeutic journey, and his current advocacy work. If you haven't already, listen to Part 1 of Ron's story where he shares his assault experience and the years of undiagnosed PTSD that followed.

Healing is the end goal of military sexual trauma. You’re not alone, and you can explore more survivor stories and resources on our blog.

About the Guest

Ron Carter is a former Army infantryman turned MST advocate. After surviving a premeditated and devastating assault while on active duty, he committed himself to supporting others who have been affected. Through speaking engagements and community work, Ron pushes for better resources and policy change and uses his platform to amplify survivor voices.

About the Host

Rachelle Smith is the host of The Silenced Voices of MST and a survivor of military sexual trauma. She served as a Public Affairs Officer in the Air Force after growing up in a military family. Her experience with MST and the years spent struggling with PTSD and depression gave her a unique understanding of what survivors face. 

This podcast exists because she knew firsthand how isolating MST can be. Since launching The Silenced Voices of MST in 2023, she’s interviewed dozens of survivors, advocates, and experts. Her mission is to empower survivors by providing a space to  amplify survivor stories and demand change.

Help Keep This Podcast Going

I've been funding this podcast entirely on my own since 2023, and it hasn’t been easy. If this work has helped you or someone you care about, please consider supporting it with a monthly donation. Even $10 a month makes a real difference in covering hosting, editing, and production costs.

• Episodes index

• About page

Military Sexual Trauma and The Monster Inside of Me: Ron Carter (Part 1) | The Silenced Voices of MST with Rachelle Smith

U.S. Army veteran Ron Carter discusses Military Sexual Trauma, suffering from repressed pain, and survival on The Silenced Voices of MST.

U.S. Army veteran Ron Carter brings his story of Military Sexual Trauma to The Silenced Voices of MST. As the author of The Monster Inside of Me, Ron details his experience of assault, the devastating toll of silence, and the heavy price of betrayal within the system.

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Ron Carter appears on The Silenced Voices of MST to share the experiences that shaped his early service, the assault he endured, and the long-term effects that developed when the trauma went unrecognized. This interview begins a three-part series that follows his path from enlistment through MST, behavioral collapse, and his eventual understanding of PTSD outside of combat contexts. His account offers clear insight into how MST develops within military structures and how untreated trauma influences thinking, memory, relationships, and emotional regulation over decades.

His Path to The Army

Ron grew up in a small town in Oregon where financial constraints made college unrealistic. He chose the Army at seventeen and entered the delayed entry program with his best friend, believing service would provide structure, stability, and a clear direction for becoming a mature adult.

Basic training introduced him to disciplined routines, intense physical demands, cultural diversity, and a level of pressure he had not experienced before. Although he passed out on his first day due to the heat, he recovered and progressed with strong performance. By excelling in physical training, Ron gained respect with some drill sergeants, and completed airborne school after graduating. These accomplishments were steps toward a promising military career.

When Ron and his friend received their orders they expected to serve together but were separated on arrival in Germany. This unexpected change intensified Ron’s sense of isolation. The unfamiliar environment, distance from home, and sudden loss of his support system made the adjustment difficult.

What Led to His Assault (Trigger Warning)

“As parents, we’re trusting our children to the United States of America. That should really mean something.”

— Ron Carter

Being stationed in Germany introduced Ron to culture shock and his first real experience of distance from home at 19 years old. He enjoyed the physical demands of fieldwork but disliked the constant emphasis on garrison expectations. During this period, he noticed hostile behavior from a higher ranking soldier in a different platoon, although he did not understand the cause.

The situation escalated when the platoon sergeant invited Ron and another private to what was presented as a simple gathering at his home. Ron wanted to behave respectfully and show he was a good guy, so he agreed to be there. Almost immediately after consuming a beer, he experienced sudden physical impairment and lost consciousness. He regained awareness during an assault, lost consciousness again, and later found himself back in the barracks. An aspect of his assault that sticks with him today is that he had no memory of how he had returned and never saw the other men involved again.

Ron had no way to describe what was done to him that day which contributed significantly to his confusion, aggressive behavior, and distress.

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Immediate Impact After the Assault

The trauma produced abrupt behavioral and emotional changes. Ron began drinking heavily, smoking hash, and getting into fights resulting in receiving multiple Article 15s. Finding himself unable to regulate his reactions, experiencing intrusive thoughts, night terrors, and unpredictable anger, Ron relied on his survival instinct to make it through daily life. Hyper-vigilance became constant, yet he did not understand why he felt disconnected from his own behavior.

U.S. Army veteran Ron Carter speaks out about Military Sexual Trauma, living in silence, and the lifelong journey to healing.

He interpreted his reactions as personal failure because no one ever explained trauma, dissociation, or survival responses in the mid-80’s. Without any knowledge of mental health, his behavior and internal chaos reinforced the shame he carried and made it increasingly difficult to function in a high-pressure environment.

The Long-Term Effects on Thought, Behavior, and Identity

Ron shares that he lived with these symptoms for many years without understanding their source. The missing  modern-day understanding of post-traumatic stress led to the assumption that the volatility, emotional distance, and reactivity he experienced reflected deep flaws in his character. Trying to suppress memories intensified their impact on his relationships, jobs, and at times his will to live.

Only later did he learn the language of trauma, emotional processing, and PTSD. He discovered that trauma can alter memory, disrupt emotional regulation, and create long-standing patterns of hypervigilance and mistrust. This allowed him to reinterpret his symptoms with clarity and accuracy.

PTSD is not only caused by combat experiences, which is something Ron learned and wants people to know. Understanding this reshaped his perception of himself, his past, and helped him identify the years of untreated trauma.

Ron’s Work Now

By sharing his story publicly, Ron’s goal is to increase awareness of MST so that parents and young people considering joining the military understand the reality of what serving can look like. His work includes advocacy, community engagement, and contributing to public education about trauma and its effects. An important aspect of his mission to help is getting survivors access to information that was unavailable during his service. 

If this podcast has helped you understand what survivors are up against, leave a review. Reviews are one of the only ways these stories reach people who would otherwise never hear them.

Episode Trigger Warnings and Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Ron Carter's Journey
02:08 Deciding to Join the Military
04:53 Basic Training Experience
07:09 Transitioning to Military Life in Germany
09:18 The Reality of Military Culture
11:06 Experiencing MST and Its Impact
Triggering content from 12:55 - 25:48 that includes discussion of being drugged, sexual assault, loss of conciousness and memory, physical assault, coerced sexual acts, and blackmail
13:31 The Aftermath of Trauma
15:45 Coping Mechanisms and Struggles
18:36 The Long Road to Healing
23:55 Understanding PTSD Beyond Combat
25:56 Part 2 of Ron’s Story Preview

Resources from this Episode

1. The Monster Inside of Me

2. Veterans Ranch

3. Heroic Hearts Project

Support and Community:

1. Veterans Crisis line: Dial 988, the press 1

2. DoD Safe Helpline: https://www.sapr.mil/dod-safe-helpline

3. Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadvocatesofmst

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About the Guest

Ron Carter is a former Army infantryman turned MST advocate. After surviving a premeditated and devastating assault while on active duty, he committed himself to supporting others who have been affected. Through speaking engagements and community work, Ron pushes for better resources and policy change and uses his platform to amplify survivor voices.

• Episodes index

• About page

Surviving Assault Secrets: The Stunning Repercussions For Men That Speak Up (Part 3)

USMC veteran, Brian, shares his story in the latest episode of The Silenced Voices of MST

In the final part of this series, Brian, a Marine Corps veteran, gives us the meat and potatoes of managing PTSD, sleep, and intrusive thoughts. He credits much of his growth to guided meditations and continuously searching out new and different types of coping strategies that help him regain his power.

Brian's New Outlook on Life and Coping

Continuing his story from Part 2, Brian describes importance of meditation, finding the right therapist, and using storytelling as a tool for recovery. He also discusses the toxic culture within the military and why systemic change is necessary to protect future service members:

Trying to receive help

Pin it!

Brian explains how sleep meditation and hypnosis techniques helped him process his trauma and find a sense of calm amid the chaos. Apps like Headspace are beneficial to those who have difficulty with insomnia due to anxiety, PTSD, and intrusive thoughts that can make it next to impossible to fall or stay asleep.

Like many survivors, Brian faced roadblocks within the military and VA system when seeking acknowledgment and assistance. He discusses how victim-blaming and also having mental health providers give up on him several times made it even harder for him to make progress. But he does stress that if you need help, keep trying. You will find someone that you mesh with, it takes time with different personalities to work together and build trust and rapport in therapy.

Toxic Military Culture & Systemic Failures

Brian and Rachelle discuss how harassment, abuse, and leadership failures create a culture where MST continues to happen unchecked. Although many members of the military are ready to ignore or outright deny the experiences of lives touched by MST, it doesn’t change reality. MST is a problem, and will continue to be until we address it as a systemic issue that is deeply ingrained in military culture. Brian shares why he decided to go public with his story, despite the stigma and backlash survivors often face. He explains how telling his truth helped him reclaim his power and encourage others to do the same.

Brian urges fellow survivors to seek help, share their stories, and find community in advocacy.

Click here to explore more survivors stories.

"Holding onto trauma is like a disease—it eats away at you.”

Key Takeaways:

• Meditation can be a powerful healing tool for MST survivors.

• Speaking out about trauma can be liberating and empowering.

• The military must enact systemic changes to support MST survivors.

• Finding the right therapist is crucial—don’t stop searching until you find one that fits.

• Every survivor’s story matters, and sharing it can help others heal.

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Join our mailing list to learn about upcoming episodes, new resources, and daily support.

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Resources:

• Visit Brian’s Website: 8Bmedia.com

• Read More: GQ Article on Male Rape in the Military

• Need help processing or want to share your story? Join our supportive community on Facebook: The Advocates of MST

• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

• Michael Sealey’s Guided Meditations: YouTube Channel

• Cal Melkez’s Sleep Meditations: YouTube Channel

• If you are in crisis or need immediate support, call the Veterans Crisis Line: 988, then 1

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If this episode resonates with you, please share it, comment your thoughts, and leave a review to help amplify survivor voices. Together, we can change the conversation around MST and push for meaningful reform.

🎧 Full Episode Available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/silencedvoicesmst

Part 1 of MSTy’s story will release on March 18, 2025.

Surviving Assault Secrets: The Stunning Repercussions For Men That Speak Up (Part 2)

Brian shares his story in the latest episode of The Silenced Voices of MST

In Part 2 of this 3-part series, Brian, a Marine Corps veteran, shares what it was like to navigate life after separating from the Marine Corps. He goes to college, tries to cope through partying, drinking, and promiscuity and doesn’t tell a soul that he’s a veteran. After landing a job with Jose Cuervo, he has a mental break that leads to him finding a magazine article that changes his life prior to leaving for China to rediscover himself. He explores finding his love of storytelling and expresses frustration with the lack of progress made by science in support of finding a treatment method for people with debilitating PTSD. Brian opens up about the struggles he faced after leaving the military, including the relentless grip of PTSD, the battle to be heard, and how he found strength in writing and advocacy.

Brian's Journey: From Dishonorable Discharge to Medically Retired

Picking up from where he left off in Part 1, Brian talks about the immediate aftermath, how his discharge affected his ability to get vital mental health care, and the lack of support he encountered after word spread among his peers. It was nearly impossible for him to seek justice, leaving him to process his trauma on his own. He earned the nickname “Blackout King” in college and hid the fact that he was a veteran from everyone and speaks about finding unhealthy coping mechanisms, including:

• Substance use – Numbing the pain through alcohol and other substances.

• Self-destructive behaviors – Using promiscuity as a means of dealing with what happened

Trying to receive help

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One of the most difficult battles Brian faced was not just recovering from trauma and unhealthy coping, but fighting for his experience to be acknowledged. He details the legal and bureaucratic hurdles that male MST survivors face when they seek recognition and support.

He shares his frustrations with the military’s reluctance to acknowledge male survivors and finally seeing that he was not alone in an article from GQ, titled “Son, Men Don’t Get Raped”. The article mirrored how MST, being improperlty discharged, and stigma impacts not only mental health care access but also disability claims and post-service support. This segment highlights the systemic failures that leave survivors without the help they desperately need.

Why Men’s Voices Matter

One of the major struggles for male MST survivors is finding therapy that actually works. Brian discusses the lack of specialized care for male survivors, the stigma of seeking help, and how many veterans are dismissed or misdiagnosed.

He shares how he eventually found therapists who understood his experience, and how trauma-focused therapy, meditation, and support groups played a role in his healing journey. Brian also calls out the lack of research and resources dedicated to male survivors of MST. He discusses:

• The gaps in mental health services for veterans.

• The need for better education about the true extent and definition of PTSD

• The lack of research on military sexual trauma and PTSD that actually heals those who suffer

He stresses that change will happen if more survivors feel empowered to speak.

Click here to explore more survivors stories.

Brian notes that male survivors are often overlooked and underrepresented in conversations about sexual violence. He talks about the challenges of breaking through societal stigma and why it’s crucial for men to share their experiences.

"I found my path in storytelling..” – Brian

Key Takeaways:

• Brian illustrates the struggles many veterans face after leaving the military when they've been harmed and are not discharged under honorable conditions

• The importance of finding a voice for male survivors of sexual assault is crucial.

• Coping mechanisms can vary widely, and what works for one may not work for another.

• Storytelling can be a powerful tool for healing and advocacy.

• Brian's experience with the legal system highlights the challenges faced by veterans seeking justice.

• The need for societal recognition of male sexual assault survivors is urgent.

• Cultural rituals and ceremonies can play a significant role in healing for veterans.

• Mental health treatment is often a long and challenging process for veterans.

• Brian's transition to storytelling reflects a broader need for veterans to share their experiences.

• The fight for recognition and support for veterans with PTSD due to MST continues.

Join our mailing list to learn about upcoming episodes, new resources, and daily support.

Resources:

• Visit Brian’s Website: 8Bmedia.com

• Read More: GQ Article on Male Rape in the Military

• Need help processing or want to share your story? Join our supportive community on Facebook: The Advocates of MST

• If you are in crisis or need immediate support, call the Veterans Crisis Line: 988, then 1

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Part 3 of Brian’s story will release on March 11, 2025.

Surviving Assault Secrets: The Stunning Repercussions For Men That Speak Up

Brian shares his story in the latest episode of The Silenced Voices of MST

When we think of masculinity and military strength, the first image that pops into most people’s minds is a guy in the Marine Corps. Their motto says it all: The few. The proud. The Marines. It’s iconic, and so many young men and women respond to that message by enlisting or commissioning into the toughest service in the nation. But what happens more often than not is our blindness to the battles that men and women suffer in uniform among their peers. The amount of harassment and bullying is overlooked, and something like Military Sexual Trauma is hidden deeply away behind stoic facades and messages of honor and camaraderie.

In Part 1 of this deeply moving three-part series, Brian, a Marine Corps veteran, shares his journey from proud infantryman to survivor of sexual trauma and PTSD. His story gives us a look at the hidden experiences of male survivors in the military and the long-term repercussions of not only being victimized, but also speaking out and trying to receive help.

Brian's Journey: From Musician to Marine

Brian’s path to joining the Marines was similar to many that I’ve heard. It was a way to pay for school and his future musical aspirations, and military service was a family tradition. And although Brian had never felt pushed or encouraged to join by his family, a feeling of restlessness and boredom led him to a recruiter’s office at the age on 19, even after a friend warned him about joining. After a rough start and becoming fully immersed in USMC culture, he found himself and had a grueling, yet transformative experience while away at boot camp. Camaraderie, discipline, and feeling like he finally found his purpose shaped Brian, to the point that he excitedly called his parents one night saying, “This is what I want to do with my life.” But one serious injury and a night soon after changed his life forever.

What was supposed to be a night of NBA finals and letting off steam with a friend in San Diego, turned into a horrifying nightmare experience for both. Following their assaults, nothing was the same. Brian found himself isolated, bullied, and battling his mental health with little to no support. That led to trying to cope, by any means necessary… even career-ending ones.

Facing Harassment and Isolation

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After reporting the assault, Brian found himself in a worse situation than he could have ever imagined. Instead of providing relief, his words opened the door to constant harassment and ridicule from fellow Marines, men who were supposed to be his brothers in arms. Almost instantly, he was ostracized in a place that once felt like it had become home. This response, no matter how common, is tragic. The stigma that persists in “traditionally male environments” like the Infantry, toward male victims remains a driving force as to why more men do not come forward for help after incidents like these. Many suffer in silence, because the alternative is even worse.

Another run-in with law enforcement led to Brian facing a Medical Evaluation Board and Physical Evaluation Board process. Despite his trauma, he remained unsupported, even while navigating the difficult processes. This led to career-ending coping methods, and an Other than Honorable discharge from service, which further impacted his life, long after he hung up the uniform.

Why Men’s Voices Matter

Brian’s story is not just about his personal trauma but a broader conversation about the barriers male survivors face when speaking out. By sharing his story, Brian hopes to encourage other men to seek help and impress upon listeners the importance of creating safe spaces for survivors.

Click here to explore more survivors stories.

Key Takeaways:

• Brian, a writer, producer, and Marine Corps veteran, shares his journey through trauma, isolation, and recovery.

• His experience underscores the stigma surrounding male survivors of sexual assault, particularly within the military.

• Brian faced harassment and isolation after reporting his assault, reflecting the cultural challenges in addressing sexual trauma among men.

• His struggle with PTSD and substance use emphasizes the urgent need for better mental health resources for veterans.

Watch Part 1 on YouTube

In Part 1, Brian shares his profound journey from being a Marine Corps infantryman to a survivor of sexual trauma and PTSD. He discusses his initial motivations for joining the military, the transformative experiences during boot camp, and the life-altering incident that led to his struggles with mental health, unhealthy coping skills, and disillusionment with the Marine Corps. Brian frankly recounts the challenges he faced, including isolation, harassment, and the difficulties in seeking help after his discharge.

Join our mailing list to learn about upcoming episodes, new resources, and daily support.

Resources:

• Visit Brian’s Website: 8Bmedia.com

• Read More: GQ Article on Male Rape in the Military

• Need help processing or want to share your story? Join our supportive community on Facebook: The Advocates of MST

• If you are in crisis or need immediate support, call the Veterans Crisis Line: 988, then 1

Part 2 of Brian’s story will release on March 4, 2025.