BTC EP 012: Honorably Discharged into Addiction (Jason Gaver)

🎙️ Episode 12: Honorably Discharged Into Addiction — with Jason Gaver Behind the Citgo Podcast In this powerful episode, we sit down with Navy veteran Jason Gaver for a raw, unfiltered conversation about what so many service members silently battle after coming home. Jason opens up about the emotional crash that follows honorable service — the loss of identity, the overwhelming shift from military structure to civilian life, and how addiction becomes an easy escape when purpose suddenly disappears. From running a flight deck crew in one of the most dangerous environments in the world… to standing in a Walmart asking for a job… to navigating a society that has no idea what you’ve carried or survived… Jason’s story exposes the invisible wounds veterans bring home and the resilience required to rebuild from the ground up. He shares the moment everything changed — when his wife looked at him and said, “No more. You gotta do something.” And the next morning, he walked into the VA and said the hardest words of his life: “I need help.” We also explore: Why veterans are so vulnerable to addiction after discharge The collapse of community and identity after leaving the military The pressure to “just be normal” when nothing feels normal How PTSD, anxiety, and isolation fuel substance use The lifesaving power of veteran‑to‑veteran connection How service dogs like Woodro help veterans regulate anxiety and emotional overload If you’re a veteran, love a veteran, or want to understand the challenges they face, this is an episode you won’t forget.