First responders comprise emergency personnel such as firefighters, police officers, and medical workers; their role is to protect and preserve life in emergency situations. However, this profession can be traumatizing and has high addiction rates along with stigma. Find out more about the signs of addiction and where to find support.
Key Takeaways: Alcohol Addiction
- Addiction can affect those predisposed to it along with those with PTSD conditions
- Alcohol addiction is very common, but most people go untreated in their lifetimes
- First responders have higher incidences of alcohol addiction due to stress and trauma
- The first step on the road to healing from addiction is to acknowledge its existence
- Addiction treatment options include inpatient and outpatient care for professionals
What Is Addiction?
Addiction can be defined as the urge or craving to consume or behave in a way that is harmful to your health. Addiction is a neurological symptom, meaning the brain and nervous system are affected by behavioral choices. But addictive behavior can also create physiological cravings.
Someone can be addicted psychologically, physiologically, or both. With alcohol addiction, someone might be compelled to a particular environment or set of conditions, or they might use alcohol as a means to destress. Over time, however, patterns can turn into dependent habits.
What Is Alcohol Addiction?
In America, around 15 million people struggle with an alcohol use disorder, and more than 65 million people have reported alcohol misuse in the past month. These figures are probably misleading since the vast majority of alcohol use disorders pass untreated or unacknowledged.
Alcohol addiction is cyclical and chronic. It is the compulsion to drink regardless of health or life responsibilities, coupled with negative behavior patterns when no alcohol is available. That said, there are other subtle forms of alcohol addiction, such as binge drinking and regular drinking.
Signs of Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol addiction can take different forms. When most people think of alcohol addiction, they think of someone who is drinking every day and simply cannot live without alcohol. There’s no doubt this is a serious form of alcohol addiction, but it is not the only way someone is addicted.
Some common signs of alcohol addiction or alcohol dependence are the decision to drink alcohol instead of eating, changes in behavior when consuming alcohol, an inability to have one drink and walk away, and the tendency to overdrink when given a chance to drink alcohol.
Who Is Affected by Addiction
Again, everyone has an image of an alcoholic, but this image is stereotypical and rarely accurate. The vast majority of alcoholics are not destitute and living for their next drink; they are ordinary people in everyday jobs. Any friend, family member, or coworker could be an alcoholic.
It’s important to note that the personal health and well-being of an alcoholic are not the only things affected by the condition—friends, family, and coworkers might also be affected by the condition. If you or someone you know is concerned about addiction, contact support services.
First Responder Addiction
First Responder Community
First responders are people trained to preserve and protect the well-being of others during emergency situations. First responders include paramedics, firefighters, and police officers, but they also include nurses, doctors, security guards, social workers, and animal control officers.
Because first responders are trained to protect the welfare of others, a common assumption is made that they are in excellent health themselves. After all, a first responder needs to be in strong health to protect others. However, this overlooks the clear pressure that they are under.
First Responder Addiction
Addiction in the first responder community is relevant and predictable, the same as any other profession or walk of life. That said, first responders can be more at risk of addiction, especially if they have experienced a traumatic event on duty. Addiction can be higher in those with PTSD.
A first responder who experiences flashbacks or nightmares because of the traumatic event is more likely to misuse drugs and alcohol to manage their symptoms. Studies show that 20% of all first responders with PTSD also have a drug or alcohol addiction to help manage the symptoms.
Responding to Addiction
It can be tricky to know whether you have an addiction or not; it can be even harder because there is mental resistance to the idea that you are addicted, along with the reluctance to give up a comfortable habit. Acknowledging an addiction is the first step to overcoming it and healing.
After you have recognized that you have a detrimental habit, it’s time to seek some support from the right people and places. First responders are often unsung heroes without dedicated addiction services, but that’s not the case at Alvarado Parkway Institute: we have treatment options for all who seek help.
Addiction Treatment
When it comes to addiction treatment services, there are two options; broadly speaking, these are inpatient and outpatient treatments. Addiction treatment requires personal dedication as well as the right support in the form of physician interactions, talking therapy, and group work. Depending on the extent of the addiction, someone might require full or part-time treatment.
Inpatient Treatment
First responders with a severe form of addiction might require inpatient treatment. Inpatient treatment begins with detoxification coupled with compassionate support and psychological services. During their time in the treatment center, first responders will escape the cravings of addiction and receive the techniques and counseling needed to avoid addiction.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment is another option and one that is fairly common with first responders. First responders have an important role to play in the world and can’t easily leave their lives for inpatient treatment. Then again, inpatient treatment is not always required for addiction. Outpatient treatment is a tailored treatment solution to support first responders with addiction.
Support When and Where You Need It
First responders suffer from addiction issues more than most people due to the strains of their profession, but they also have a stigma to contend with—first responders are meant to be in control. If you notice signs of addiction, reach out to Alvarado Parkway Institute for support.
