The union workers, working professionals, police officers, and first responders of Florida deserve proper support and care. These jobs can often be physically and emotionally draining. Unfortunately, first responders’ mental health statistics show that our emergency workers need much more support and resources.
Coastal Detox recognizes the need for treatment services for law enforcement officers, first responders, and other emergency workers. We strive to address issues such as the harmful connections between police officers and alcoholism, as well as PTSD and first responders, and much more.
There are many drug and alcohol treatment resources available for emergency professionals. These resources range from behavioral therapy to support groups to supervised medical care. But, before one can seek treatment, it’s important to understand the issue at hand.
Substance abuse is affecting people across the nation in the workplace. Many working professionals struggle with addiction and mental health concerns. However, individuals often feel apprehensive about seeking help. Perhaps they don’t even know where to begin when it comes to seeking help. Thankfully, Coastal Detox is here to offer a treatment guide for our nation’s hard workers.
First Responders: Mental Health Statistics and Substance Abuse Treatment
Co-occurring disorders often develop in the lives of individuals working in the first responder field. People who have substance use disorders, in addition to mental health disorders, are diagnosed as having co-occurring disorders. (This is also referred to as a dual diagnosis.)
Compared to individuals who have a single disorder, those with dual diagnoses may experience more severe medical and mental health challenges. They may also require more extended periods of treatment. This is why co-occurring disorders call for a more intensive level of care, such as residential treatment. Neglecting mental health will only make problems worse. First responders experience more traumatic events than individuals who may work in other career paths. For this reason, police substance abuse is a serious concern.
Drug and Alcohol Addiction in the Workplace
According to a 2018 report from SAMHSA, 50% of male firefighters had engaged in binge drinking. The same report stated that 16% of female officers had reported consuming amounts of alcohol that could be considered “risky.” Also, 36% of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) were suffering from depression.
Undoubtedly, the connection between police officers and alcoholism and other types of substance use is unsettling. However, emergency workers are regularly on the front lines of complex, traumatic, and dangerous situations. There is no question as to why first responder mental health is a serious topic worth addressing.
Addiction knows no boundaries and it affects people from all backgrounds. So, police substance abuse is neither impossible nor improbable. But, it is necessary to make sure individuals who work on the front lines have access to addiction treatment services.
Employees tend to conceal their addiction if they have one. After all, they may fear various repercussions, such as losing their jobs. They may find themselves stuck in a toxic cycle. Eliminating the stigma that comes with the discussion of first responder mental health is the first step to making professional addiction and mental health disorder treatment available to emergency workers.
First Responders: Mental Health Concerns
Police officers, firefighters, and paramedics are our local heroes. These working professionals put their lives on the line for their communities. They often experience traumatizing events that can stir up complicated emotions.
These emotions can turn into mental health issues if not worked through. Self-care is often neglected in the lives of working professionals and emergency workers. If these individuals begin suffering from PTSD, it becomes a lot harder for them to help their community.
EMTs report higher levels of post-traumatic stress disorder than the general population. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health disorder that’s triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
Police Officers
Good police officers aim to protect citizens every day. This can mean neglecting their own needs to get on with the job. Police officers suffer from substance abuse and mental health concerns, too. Treatment is a viable option for police officers struggling with addiction or mental health concerns. Our facility offers a variety of drug and alcohol treatment resources for working professionals.
Treatment Programs for First Responders
At Coastal Detox, we believe you deserve to receive help for substance abuse and to be free from substance use disorder. Our knowledgeable and compassionate staff is here to guide you through the recovery process. The trained staff members at Coastal Detox are experts in addiction treatment services. Our specialized treatment facility is here for you!
We believe in providing personalized care for each patient who comes to us for help. Working professionals often enter rehab, intending to return to their jobs afterward. We will help make this possible for you.
Our facility offers various treatment programs for working professionals. Each recovery plan is unique and tailored to the patient’s unique circumstances. Generally, all treatment plans begin with a detoxification process.
The detox process cleanses the body from the toxins of alcohol and drugs. Detox can be a complicated process with serious side effects of withdrawal. That’s why undergoing detox in a facility that can offer medical supervision and care is crucial.
After detoxification, the treatment program begins. This includes different forms of therapy, such as individual therapy and support groups. Each treatment plan is structured to be most beneficial for your needs. We also offer unique services, such as holistic care. Our philosophy is to treat the addiction as a whole, from the inside out.
Twelve-step programs, support groups, and psychotherapy are a handful of the many resources we have available for working professionals who have an addiction. We aim to teach you the tools necessary to sustain long-lasting sobriety and purpose-driven life.
Levels of Care for Emergency Workers and First Responders in Florida
Drug and alcohol treatment centers offer many levels of care to choose from. These levels of care vary based on the severity of a person’s addiction. Some levels of care offer a more intensive approach than others.
The different options include inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, and outpatient treatment. Each treatment type offers its unique benefits. An addiction specialist can help to determine which drug and alcohol treatment program is best. Here’s a more detailed look at treatment options for police officers and other first responders in Florida.
Outpatient Treatment
Patients who have a mild or moderate addiction can consider an outpatient treatment program. Many patients also enter an outpatient program after completing a more intensive level of care.
An outpatient treatment program is relatively simple and very flexible. It is much less intensive than other types of addiction treatment programs. Some patients may receive several hours of therapy and treatment per week, while others may get over 20 hours of therapy and treatment. It mainly depends on the severity of the addiction and the type of help that each patient needs.
The patient will travel based on agreed-upon days to the facility for treatment if you have obligations such as caring for a child or career responsibilities, outpatient services best suit your needs.
Intensive Outpatient (IOP) or Partial Hospitalization (PHP) Treatment
IOPs and PHPS provide more substantial therapy and treatment time than outpatient services. However, they are still less intensive than residential treatment. Depending on the patient, a PHP can involve anywhere from 4 to 8 hours of treatment every day.
Patients receive medical detoxification and behavioral therapy. They may also take part in individual, family, or group counseling. A PHP is ideal for someone who needs a high level of care but cannot reside at a rehab facility.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) involve a minimum of 9 hours of treatment weekly. These programs are usually separated into three sessions, with each section being three hours long. The type of addiction therapies used in this outpatient treatment will vary.
Residential/Inpatient Treatment
Residential treatment, also called inpatient rehabilitation, offers the highest level of care for first responders, union workers, and other working professionals. Inpatient treatment is ideal for those with more severe addictions or co-occurring disorders.
Residential treatment offers supervised care 24/7 while adhering to a structured routine of group and individual therapies. The program itself can last anywhere from 28 to 90 days, but longer stays may also be available if necessary.
Benefits of Attending Rehab as a Working Professional
Working professionals who are struggling with substance abuse, as well as mental health concerns, will significantly benefit from rehab. While the main focus of a rehab facility is to help patients overcome addiction, other benefits are abundant as well. Rehab sets you up for long-term success by teaching you coping skills and tools for sobriety. These are necessary tools for building a productive, healthy, and happy life.
Some of the many benefits of rehab for working professionals include:
Structure
Structure and daily routine are essential aspects of a happy life. Structure helps us cement our values and prioritize our time. We aim to create daily routines full of productive activities and counseling sessions. This helps to keep patients engaged and eliminate distractions.
A Safe and Encouraging Community
Peer support is a critical component of treatment and is necessary to maintain long-term sobriety. A peer support group will not only provide accountability and encouragement but also give you the chance to help others in their recovery journey.
24/7 Medical Care
One benefit specific to residential treatment is around-the-clock medical and clinical supervision seven days a week. The initial withdrawal symptoms during a detox must be looked after by trained medical staff. They can be severely draining and even have fatal consequences, depending on the severity of the addiction.
Even after the initial withdrawal symptoms are gone, the stress on the body and mind can aggravate other physical and mental illnesses. Our medical staff will look after you and take care of you as we move along the recovery journey.
Setting Goals and Building New Habits
We aim to help you develop your physical and emotional health, relationships, and spiritual aspirations. Ultimately, rehab is designed for your success after leaving. The new habits that you learn in rehab will help you cope with the daily struggles of recovering from addiction post-treatment. You’ll also learn how to work through the situations that may have contributed to your addiction healthily and effectively.
Coastal Detox Offers a Specialized Treatment Facility for First Responders in Florida
The working professionals of our country put themselves second as they work to protect and help our communities. These people deserve not only recognition but proper attention and care. It is time for us to help them.
If you’re struggling with PTSD and addiction or other mental health and behavioral health challenges, seek help with us today. In other cases, you may know a working professional that needs help. Regardless of the situation, we’re here waiting for your call. Working through difficult emotions and challenges is a part of life.
You don’t need to feel ashamed. Our trained medical staff will attend to your needs and help give you the tools for a purpose-driven and sober life. You can contact us here to begin your recovery journey today.
References:
https://www.va.gov/PREVENTS/docs/PRE013_FactSheets_FirstResponders_508.pdf