Is Your Wellness in Addiction Recovery at Risk on the Job?
For most correctional officers, issues with trauma and/or substance abuse either started or were significantly impacted by their experiences at work. It stands to reason that, in recovery, correctional officers would return to similar difficulties, stressors, and traumatic events that wuld make it difficult to maintain balance and overall wellness.
If you are a correctional officer in recovery from addiction and/or trauma and you have undergone an intensive treatment program, the good news is that you have more tools in your arsenal than ever before to manage any issues at work that threaten your stability.
Additionally, you are in a better, stronger place personally and able to make choices that promote your wellness all the time. For example, you can:
· Make healthy eating choices. When you eat lots of produce, lean protein, and whole grains, you tend to feel more sated and solid, and you are better able to focus on anything that comes your way. Conversely, when you are attempting to subsist on caffeine, sugar, and fast food, you may struggle with cloudy thinking and irritability — two things that will only make your job harder.
· Drink more water. Easy, right? Drinking the water you need can help you to feel more grounded when you just feel off, fend off pesky headaches, and help your body to take care of itself more efficiently.
· Spend time with positive people. When you spend a lot of time around people who make you laugh and feel good about yourself, you are more likely to bring that feeling with you everywhere you go.
· Learn how to meditate. Take a few minutes to just focus on breathing in and out, clearing your mind in a quiet place, and allowing any thoughts to pass without notice. Doing so for just a few minutes every day can help to decrease anxiety, depression, and the effects of stress.
· Keep up with mental health treatment. If you are taking medications to manage anxiety or depression, keep meeting with your doctor regularly, seeing your therapist, and taking the meds as prescribed. Full adherence to your mental health treatment plan will make everything at work easier to manage.
Put Your Recovery First
If you find that the job is making it difficult for you to stay sober or focused on your recovery from trauma, it may be time to consider a treatment program that is designed specifically to assist correctional officers. American Addiction Centers offers the First Responder Lifeline Program for correctional officers in need of comprehensive treatment to address both substance use disorders and trauma related to the job. Our locations include:
- Greenhouse Treatment Center in Dallas, Texas
- Sunrise House Treatment Center in Sussex County, New Jersey
- Desert Hope Treatment Center in Las Vegas, Nevada
- Laguna Treatment Hospital in Aliso Viejo, California
- Recovery First in West Palm Beach/Hollywood, Florida
- Clinical Services of Rhode Island in Greenville/Portsmouth/South Kingstown, Rhode Island
Is it time to learn more about your options in recovery and make sure you have the tools you need to stay sober for the long-term? Call American Addiction Centers at (844) 646–4COS(267) now for more information.
