5 Things Every Firefighter Should Know about Drug and Alcohol Use Disorders
It is important to stay in the know as a firefighter about what is true — and what isn’t — about rates of drug and alcohol use among firefighters and the effects that use can have.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Binge drinking and alcohol use occur among firefighters at twice the rate of the general public. According to a number of different studies, it is clear that heavy use of alcohol is a significant issue among firefighters. It contributes to some of the most common causes of death among firefighters, including heart attack and suicide.
2. Trauma often contributes to substance use and abuse. Continuous exposure to highly stressful situations, medical emergencies, and fatalities takes a toll. In some cases, it can be one significant call that causes the trauma, but in most cases, it is a slow and steady buildup of trauma events that causes disruptive symptoms often associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. Many firefighters who face these symptoms feel compelled to try to handle the problem on their own without treatment, and most do so by turning to substances that are readily available: marijuana, alcohol, and prescription drugs.
3. Family members are harmed by a firefighter’s drug and alcohol abuse. It is difficult for family members when a loved one is in crisis due to trauma and/or a substance use disorder. They are often caught in the crossfire, bearing the brunt of the erratic behavior, the financial problems, and the emotional turmoil that come with co-occurring disorders.
4. Everyone is at risk when substance use disorders among firefighters go untreated. Coworkers and the public are at risk when a firefighter is living with a substance use disorder or a trauma disorder that goes untreated. Erratic decision-making on a call, not being mentally present, or not going to work can all have a significant impact on public safety.
5. Treatment can be lifesaving. For firefighters living with addiction and/or trauma, the only effective choice when a substance use disorder is present is treatment.
Treatment Is Effective
If you are a firefighter struggling with drug or alcohol use, or if someone you care about is a first responder in crisis due to addiction, treatment is the most effective course forward if recovery is the goal. At American Addiction Centers, we offer a unique First Responder Lifeline Program in locations across the country to ensure that all who need help can find it today. Our locations include:
- Recovery First in West Palm Beach/Hollywood, Florida
- Greenhouse Treatment Center in Dallas, Texas
- Desert Hope Treatment Center in Las Vegas, Nevada
- Sunrise House Treatment Center in Sussex County, New Jersey
- Clinical Services of Rhode Island in Greenville/Portsmouth/South Kingstown, Rhode Island
- Laguna Treatment Hospital in Aliso Viejo, California
Can we help you take the first step toward overcoming a substance use disorder? Contact us at (888) 731-FIRE (3473) today and speak with a treatment consultant to get started.
