When you think of veterans you think about strength, bravery, and fortitude. Veteran J. Hunt possessed all of these qualities, but his battles with alcohol addiction and homelessness proved to be his toughest mission yet. 

Hunt answered the call of duty after one of the biggest tragedies in the history of the United States. “I joined about a year after 9/11 happened. I wanted to serve my country, and make a difference,” Hunt explained. With a knack for building things and a background in plumbing, roofing, and mechanics, Hunt was able to use those skills to perform IT work in the Army from late 2002 to early 2007.

Hunt’s military service came naturally to him as his father and both his maternal and paternal grandfathers served in various branches. Still, nothing could prepare him for what he calls the “culture shock” of transitioning back into civilian life. Hunt was living with a friend while his battle with alcohol addiction began spiraling out of control. “I definitely had a very serious problem with alcohol and I lost friends, girlfriends, jobs, and I eventually was homeless,” Hunt recalled.

He hadn’t heard of The Baltimore Station before receiving a call from an outreach worker who offered him a way out of his current situation. “I was not homeless for a very long time, but I lived in my car for maybe six months. That is the biggest reason I came to the [Baltimore] Station. I know it is a program about substance abuse for veterans,” he said. 

The Baltimore Station is a residential treatment program for Veterans, offering various programming that implements a strong recovery model while promoting socially responsible behavior. Participants are able to receive services like case management, psychotherapy, grieving and loss counseling, relapse prevention, and more. 

Overall, Hunt said his involvement with The Baltimore Station has been good for him. “One of the things The Baltimore Station did for me is give me time; time to not worry about bills for a while; time to think about what my life is now; time to think about how it was in the past and how I want it to be in the future,” Hunt explained. 

Two years later, Hunt has submitted his first housing application for a local apartment. Reflecting on his time at The Baltimore Station and all of the help he has received along the way, Hunt said he doesn’t know where he would be if he had not come through those doors. Although he was apprehensive upon arrival he received a warm welcome from his fellow veterans who were already a part of the program. “Coming into the program, that was a big draw for me. My early time here I really did appreciate having that sense of brotherhood again.” As Hunt transitions out to independent living with his newfound sobriety, he accredits much of his success to the relationships he’s made along the way. “They say the opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety, it’s connection.”