First responders, commonly known as the people who come to our rescue when in danger like fire, accidents and other emergencies. They are firefighters, paramedics and law enforcement officers. These people face stressful and traumatic situations almost everyday. This makes them more vulnerable to drugs and alcohol. They could easily get addicted to drugs and alcohol. Let us see how.
Common Mental Health Disorders Found Among First Responders
First responders are prone to facing situations that cause mental illness like depression, stress, and anxiety. They can also face disorders like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.
PTSD is a common mental disorder observed among paramedics and other emergency medical technicians and suicidal tendencies. Even the volunteer firefighters suffer from depression and stress as they have to manage both jobs. Police officers are another section of first responders who suffer from PTSD and depression. These people suffer from mental disorders due to their daily situations.
Reducing The Risk Of Addiction Among First Responders
First responders have significant responsibilities on their shoulders while at work. They face situations like death, injury, etc. on a daily, which pushes them towards experiencing stress, depression, and PTSD. These conditions also make them vulnerable to drug and alcohol addiction. Therefore, they should receive help regarding addiction on an early basis. They can:
- Go to rehab for help
- Learn about risk signs
- Develop coping abilities
- Learn new skills
- Spend quality time every day
Best Addiction Treatments For First Responders
First responders require a slightly different kind of addiction treatment than other people due to the situations they have been into. The stress levels observed are comparatively higher in this section of the people. They need professionals who can understand their pain.
The addiction treatment for these people will include detoxification, behavioral therapy, and more than one support group. All the medicines they take will be evidence-based and have a long-term effect on them. Other forms of specialized therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and family therapy.
Getting Treatment At Taylor Recovery
First responders suffering from addiction can get treatment from a rehab center that understands and caters to their specific needs. Taylor Recovery center offers customized treatment plans for these people, which assures a long-term recovery. The first responders can get detox and residential rehab treatment facilities at Taylor Recovery. Contact us now to know more.