Navy SEAL Dr. Tony Dice on PTSD, Drug Addiction, and Helping Veterans Rebuild Their Lives

Navy SEAL Dr. Tony Dice on PTSD, Drug Addiction, and Helping Veterans Rebuild Their Lives

Author: Joanie Sigal September 11, 2026 Duration: 23:37

Dr. Tony Dice, Navy SEAL, firefighter, paramedic, therapist, author, and CEO of Bishop & Dice Defense, joins us to share one of the most powerful recovery stories we’ve ever featured. Tony describes how his early desire to “be a hero” led him into fire rescue, ambulance work, and ultimately the Navy SEAL teams — where camaraderie, trauma, and culture normalized heavy drinking and emotional suppression.

Tony explains how addiction took root long before he realized it, escalating from alcohol to cocaine, ecstasy, and eventually crystal meth. He describes the moment his addiction broke him: being unable to leave a room for hours to pick up his young son during a swine flu exposure. That moment led him to treatment at the Farley Center, where he embraced 12‑Step recovery and rebuilt his life.

Tony breaks down why 12‑Step recovery works, connecting each step to established therapeutic models:

  • Steps 1–3 → Stages of Change
  • Steps 4–5 → Narrative Therapy
  • Steps 6–9 → Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Steps 10–12 → Existential Therapy

This framework became Tony’s Holistic Change Model (HC‑Mod), now used to help therapists understand the deep psychological transformation that occurs in 12‑Step programs.

Tony also discusses:

  • Why high‑performers (military, first responders, law enforcement) often hide their struggles
  • How adrenaline, trauma, and emotional compulsivity fuel addiction
  • Why “competent heroes” are often the last to seek help
  • How Bishop & Dice Defense builds trust with agencies before introducing mental health support
  • Why his book After the Trident is helping veterans and first responders heal

Tony’s story is a testament to resilience, service, and the power of recovery — and a reminder that even our strongest heroes need help too. His bio is impressive.

Tony is a nationally recognized counselor, presenter, and addiction specialist. He developed the Holistic Change Model (HC‑Mod), which maps the 12‑Step recovery process to established therapeutic frameworks, helping clinicians better support clients in recovery. He has presented at national and international conferences, published in the field of mental health, and teaches addiction and human services at Old Dominion University.

His book, After the Trident: A Navy SEAL’s Battle with Secret Shame and Addiction, chronicles his journey from service‑related trauma and addiction to recovery and purpose.


Hosted by Joanie Sigal, The Addiction Podcast-Point of No Return is a raw and necessary conversation about substance use and the path out of it. This isn't a clinical lecture, but a collection of real voices from the heart of the crisis. You'll hear from people who have lived through addiction to opioids, heroin, cocaine, prescription drugs, and fentanyl, sharing their journeys from dependence to recovery. The podcast also makes space for the families and loved ones whose lives are intertwined with this struggle, offering their perspectives on the chaos, the repeated attempts at rehab, and the strategies that finally made a difference. Each episode tackles the complex societal and personal issues surrounding addiction, all while grounding the discussion in tangible hope and practical recovery options. By focusing on these firsthand accounts, Joanie creates a podcast that serves as both a lifeline and a roadmap for anyone touched by this challenge-whether you're seeking help for yourself or striving to understand how to support someone else. Tune in for stories that don't shy away from the darkness but consistently point toward the light of resilience and regained control.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Addiction Podcast-Point of No Return
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