TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A special ceremony was held this afternoon to recognize local Veterans.
The Leon County Veterans Treatment Court held its fourth graduation, recognizing the successful completion of an intense program to help Veterans overcome unhealthy situations.
Today, two Veterans celebrated getting through the program, leaving happier and healthier than before.
It's often what are known as "invisible wounds" like PTSD, major depression and traumatic brain injury that make it difficult for Veterans to return to civilian life.
Other times, it's drug addiction and substance abuse.
But today, two Veterans have pushed through what was holding them back.
The Veterans Treatment Court was created a few years ago by a judge who is also a Veteran.
Today, Army Veteran Vivian Scott and Navy and Vietnam Veteran Charles Taylor were recognized for completing a program that is designed to last 18 months.
Vivian said she started the program with an addiction to marijuana but now, ten months later, she's finally clean.
"I just want to tell anybody, if they ever get in a situation like this, it's not as hard as it seems," said Scott. "All you've got to do is get a good support system -- somebody to talk to -- and everything will run smooth."
The treatment court is a state-funded program administered by Leon County. The veterans get connected to mentors and other community partners to get through it.
Vivian told me she's working on getting her associate's degree from Tallahassee Community College.
Eventually, she wants to find work with the V.A. and give back to her fellow veterans.
