Take It Day By Day

Stories of Hope: An Interview with Don Johnson

This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked peer support specialist and US Army veteran Don Johnson about his journey and his current activities. Here’s our interview:

DS: Tell us about when you first started becoming aware of concerns related to your mental health. How did these issues continue to affect you before you sought treatment?

DJ: I did not start to become fully aware of any of my issues until after my military service. The explosive anger and emotional instability that I learned to harness within my eight years of service were not conducive to life in the civilian sector. This led to further drinking and prescription drug use, and ultimately a worsening of symptoms.

I became the one that no one wanted to be around, including my family and my children. I made the choice to replace them with more of the above and those who I thought were friends, who enjoyed the same activities that I did.

DS: What was the turning point that led you to decide to seek help? 

DJ: In April of 2015 as I circled the never-ending drain of addiction and untreated mental health, I used text messages to reach out for help. My ex-wife, from nearly three hours away sent the county sheriff to do a welfare check on me. That day while sitting with the officer, I agreed to go to a Veterans Treatment facility and get help. But during the hour ride to the facility, knowing that I was going voluntarily, I changed my mind and decided that I wouldn’t stay long.

Two days later, I checked myself out, and went to get a drink. Although at this point, I did establish care with a psychiatrist. November of that same year I wrecked my car in a drunken, pain pill filled blur with my best friend in the passengers’ seat. We were on a back road, so thankfully no one including ourselves were hurt. I was arrested and taken to jail.

Even that wasn’t enough. I got out of jail a few days later, facing thousands in fines and court costs, a possible felony, and I still went to get a drink. It was having to tell my then seven-year-old son that I couldn’t spend the holiday with him because of what I had done and hearing the disappointment in his voice that made me realize that something had to change.

DS: What has your treatment and self-care consisted of, and what have you found that has worked well for you?

DJ: My treatment so far has consisted of acceptance, and I think that was the biggest and hardest part for me. I had to personally accept the diagnosis, the medications, and the help. I had to admit that I had a problem with drinking and pills, and I had to stop. I had to accept the mental health diagnosis.

I have tried a vast array of medications until I finally found the right ones that work for me. I go to counseling a few times a month. Self-care for me is taking time to enjoy hobbies, such as playing and listening to music, building furniture or restoring antiques, and spending time with my children.

DS: How are things going for you now? What challenges are you still facing? What have you learned that has helped you stay positive and healthy?

DJ: Things are going great for me now. I have been clean and sober for a little over three years. I still have the urge on occasion when in certain situations, or when stressed too much, but that is where I rely heavy on my self-care, coping skills learned in recovery, and my support system. Things like boundary setting, changing my routine, medication therapy, and being honest with myself about what I feel, and need has truly been an inspirational part of my recovery.

All this is not to say that I do not have bad days where I do not want to get out of bed, or that I want to use, etcetera because I do. Now, I am just better equipped to handle these days and I find reasons and the support that I need to get through them.

DS: You’ve been active in mental health advocacy. Tell us about your involvement in those activities. 

DJ: I am a Certified Peer Support Specialist by profession and have been for three years now. I utilize my own past to help others build and sustain their recovery. In 2018 I was the Veteran Representative on the National Youth Advisory Council for Doors to Wellbeing. I have taken part in Mental Health America Advocacy Day at Capitol Hill in Richmond to advocate for mental health legislation in Virginia.

DS: What would you like to say to encourage others who are still working on their journey of recovery? 

DJ: Recovery isn’t a clear-cut path, and it won’t look the same for each person. Don’t get discouraged, take it day by day, even smaller if you must. Utilize your supports and your tools. Recovery is worth it, and so are you.

About Don

Don Johnson holds an Associate degree in Applied Science and is currently pursuing his BS in Sociology.  He is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, a WRAP Facilitator, and a Peer Support Whole Health and Resiliency Facilitator. Don also has completed Mental Health First Aid training, is a Crisis Intervention Team instructor, and sits on the Doors2Wellbeing National Youth Advisory Council as the veteran representative. Don served over two years as a Peer Recovery Specialist for the Program of Assertive Community Treatment team at Northwestern Community Services Board and as Outreach Coordinator for Strength in Peers. A veteran of the United States Army, SGT Johnson served as a medic on posts worldwide, but most particularly was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in October 2007 through January 2009 with the 86th Combat Support Hospital to the famed Baghdad ER. You can connect with him via LinkedIn.

Thanks so much to Don for sharing his inspiring story of hope!

Would you like to share your story of hope? I plan to feature more personal accounts like this from time to time on my blog. If you are interested in sharing your story, please notify me via my contact page. Also, please subscribe to my blog and feel free to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram, “like” my Facebook page, or connect on LinkedIn. Finally, if you enjoyed this post, please share it with a friend. Thanks!