Self-Destruct

<p><strong>Self-Destruct: The Silent Battle of Combat Veterans and the Destruction of Personal Relationships</strong><br><em>By Shawn Hibbard</em></p><p>What if the greatest threat to a combat veteran's life wasn't the enemy on the battlefield-but the war that follows them home?</p><p><strong>Self-Destruct</strong> is a raw unfiltered and deeply personal look into the internal battles faced by many military veterans after service ends. Author Shawn Hibbard a former combat veteran himself opens a courageous dialogue about what happens when the discipline danger and adrenaline of military life are replaced by silence confusion and broken connections.</p><p>This book explores the devastating emotional ripple effects of trauma PTSD and unhealed wounds-especially how they sabotage the very relationships veterans want to preserve. Written at a fifth-grade reading level for accessibility and impact <em>Self-Destruct</em> offers a message that is direct powerful and rooted in truth.</p><p>Across 13 riveting chapters readers will walk through the inner world of a combat veteran struggling to maintain peace at home. From explosive anger and emotional shutdowns to substance use guilt and the craving for control each chapter reveals a different layer of the veteran experience. These are not abstract concepts. They are the real lived realities of thousands of warriors who returned home to face an invisible war within.</p><p><strong>Key themes explored in the book include:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>The mask of normalcy</strong> - how many veterans hide their pain to blend in yet feel completely alone.</li><li><strong>The fallout of trauma</strong> - the slow destruction of trust connection and love in relationships.</li><li><strong>Sabotaging what we love</strong> - why veterans often push away those closest to them without knowing why.</li><li><strong>The addiction to adrenaline and control</strong> - how the military wires the brain for intensity and structure making everyday life feel meaningless or unbearable.</li><li><strong>The spiral of self-destruction</strong> - the behavioral patterns that isolate veterans and damage the families trying to hold on.</li><li><strong>The weight of guilt and regret</strong> - looking back at the wreckage and wondering if it's too late.</li><li><strong>Breaking the cycle</strong> - finding the courage to admit something is wrong and the strength to ask for help.</li><li><strong>Rebuilding presence and purpose</strong> - learning how to be emotionally present to listen to connect and to heal.</li><li><strong>Treatment and support</strong> - real-world options for counseling groups and spiritual support that can guide the journey home.</li></ul><p><em>Self-Destruct</em> doesn't just describe the problem-it also points toward the path out. This book is a lifeline for veterans who feel they're losing themselves and their loved ones. It's also a resource for spouses families and friends who want to understand what their veteran is going through and how to stand by them without losing themselves in the process.</p><p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br>Shawn Hibbard is a U.S. Army combat veteran and the founder of <em>Nautical Salute</em> a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing therapeutic boating excursions for veterans battling PTSD. With a mission to restore peace and purpose through nature brotherhood and open dialogue Hibbard uses his own experiences to lead others toward healing.</p><p>If you've ever felt like you're falling apart on the inside while trying to hold it together on the outside this book was written for you.</p><p>You are not alone. And it's not too late to stop the cycle of self-destruction.</p>