Firefighters in Crisis: Psychological Distress and Alcohol Abuse

Firefighters across the country hit the bars and popped open beers on St. Patrick’s Day as a matter of course. For many, heading to the bar or drinking at each other’s houses is just what they do, a way to unwind and signify to themselves and others that it’s time to relax.

When St. Patrick’s Day never ends or when drinking is no longer an occasional indulgence but a daily habit from morning until night or late into every night, it’s clear that alcohol abuse is a problem.

For many firefighters, the sole issue driving that problem is psychological distress. Here’s what you need to know:

· Psychological distress can stem from a number of different factors. Childhood trauma and/or abuse that has gone untreated or unaddressed is a common example. For firefighters, trauma exposure on the job can lead to significant psychological distress, and when that distress does not resolve over time, it can build up to a serious trauma disorder.

· Many firefighters self-medicate symptoms of psychological distress with alcohol. Rather than address early symptoms with treatment, the primary response for many firefighters is to try to medicate their symptoms with a drink — or six.

· Alcohol is a not a healthy coping mechanism. Though it is normal to hear people say, “I need a drink,” as a way of communicating they are stressed out, drinking is not a healthy way to manage stress, frustration, anger, or grief.

· Alcohol may feel like the primary problem. With chronic use of alcohol as a means of managing uncomfortable emotions, especially when it gets to the point that “normal” means some level of alcohol in the body, it can feel like the real problem is alcohol abuse. While it is true that alcohol abuse may indeed be creating a slew of health, psychological, and social problems of its own, when it is used as a method of managing psychological stress, it is only part of the problem, and both issues will need to be addressed with treatment.

· Alcohol abuse and the symptoms of psychological stress must be treated concurrently. It is impossible to expect treatment for psychological stress to have any impact when you are continuing to drink. Similarly, getting treatment for alcohol abuse will do you little good if you are not getting treatment for the co-occurring mental health issues. Both need to be treated at the same time.

When the Party Comes Crashing to a Halt

If stress, anxiety, or depression is making it hard for you to manage your drinking on St. Patrick’s Day and throughout the year, American Addiction Centers can help. Our First Responder Lifeline Program offers firefighters and other first responders the opportunity to take part in a unique, comprehensive program that offers:

· PTSD evaluation and assessment

· Therapists and a treatment team who are trained to work with first responders

· Highly rated first responder-focused treatment plans

· Therapies that are research-based and proven to be effective in the treatment of PTSD and other trauma-related disorders

· EAP/MAP interaction

What do you need to begin your own personal path to sobriety? Contact (888) 731-FIRE (3473) today to learn more about our First Responder Lifeline Program.