Just the Facts: What We Know about Substance Abuse among Correctional Officers
The median pay for a correctional officer is less than $43,000 a year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, or about $20 an hour. Given the state of constant “fight-or-flight” status due to work conditions, rundown facilities, a hostile work environment created by inmates, and low staffing, it is little compensation for the high rates of attack by inmates, suicide, and PTSD among COs.
According to a 2013 study, about 31 percent of correctional officers are living with post-traumatic stress disorder — a number that is similar to rates of PTSD seen in veterans returning from combat and about quadruple the national average. It is estimated that about 17 percent of correctional officers are living with depression as well as PTSD.
Additionally, another study found that the risk of suicide is about 39 percent higher for correctional officers than it is for all other professionals combined, and about twice as high as the rate of suicide among law enforcement officers.
Both of these issues — suicidal thoughts and behaviors related to depression and post-traumatic stress disorder — are often connected to increased rates of drug and alcohol use. In order to “self-medicate” the difficult symptoms associated with both disorders, many turn to substance use. A painkiller used nonmedically, a sedative prescription, alcohol, or marijuana — all of these are commonly used by those who are struggling with an untreated mental health disorder in lieu of treatment. Unfortunately, regular use not only does nothing to abate the underlying, driving condition causing the symptoms, but it also creates a new problem all its own: a substance use disorder.
For a correctional officer, living with an active substance abuse problem can be deadly. Mistakes made on the job due to being under the influence or foggy-headed after a binge can be enough to cause an attack. Additionally, regular drug and alcohol use can worsen the original mental health symptoms and increase the likelihood of completion of suicide and/or worsen episodes of depression and PTSD.
Is your loved one a correctional officer and struggling with a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health disorder? Do you know the facts about recovery and treatment? Perhaps now is the time to find out more.
What Is Your Truth?
Is your use of alcohol or other drugs interfering with your ability to get things done on the job, maintain the relationships that matter most to you at home, or do the things you want to do in life? The First Responder Lifeline Program from American Addiction Centers can help. We offer a first responder-focused treatment program for co-occurring disorders of trauma and addiction at the following locations:
- Clinical Services of Rhode Island in Greenville/Portsmouth/South Kingstown, Rhode Island
- Greenhouse Treatment Center in Dallas, Texas
- Sunrise House Treatment Center in Sussex County, New Jersey
- Recovery First in West Palm Beach/Hollywood, Florida
- Laguna Treatment Hospital in Aliso Viejo, California
- Desert Hope Treatment Center in Las Vegas, Nevada
Which program is right for you and your family? Contact us at (844) 646–4COS(267) today and speak with a treatment consultant who can assist you.
