First Responders, Addiction & Mental Health Treatment

Addiction and mental treatment in Florida for first responders is not significantly different from traditional programs that address mental health conditions or substance use disorders. Addiction treatment typically includes therapy, including well-known treatment models such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. In addition to evidence-based therapy models, most treatment programs include peer support groups (such as 12-step programs) which are highly beneficial when groups consist of participants from similar occupational fields. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is one of the most utilized addiction treatment models. CBT can be successfully applied across various behavioral addictions, including substance use disorders. CBT sessions aim to help someone with addiction learn to recognize and change harmful behaviors and thought processes. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you develop healthy coping skills, identify risky situations, and learn how to apply healthy coping skills to those situations allowing you to prevent relapse.

Another benefit of CBT is its proven success in addressing co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders (also called dual diagnosis conditions) occur when someone simultaneously experiences symptoms of an addiction and an underlying mental health problem. This is common for first responders experiencing symptoms of substance addiction and symptoms related to a mental health condition such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety. 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy is like cognitive behavioral therapy in that it can be adapted for many substance abuse situations. DBT therapy sessions help someone with drug or alcohol addiction learn how to manage cravings, develop healthy coping skills, and avoid situations where you may face exposure to relapse triggers or increase the risk of returning to harmful habits. 

Peer Support Groups

The life experiences and challenges (even job-related challenges) that lead many first responders to start using drugs or alcohol are significantly different from what most society members experience. First responders see firsthand injury, trauma, loss, and death on nearly a daily basis. It is easy to see how functioning in this type of environment can be psychologically, physically, and emotionally draining. Peer support groups, including AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) or NA (Narcotics Anonymous), are vital components of primary addiction treatment aftercare programs. Peer support groups offer those recovering from addiction a safe and supportive environment to discuss their successes, fears, and challenges while continuing to work towards sobriety. 

Peer support groups are the most effective when groups are comprised of participants from a similar background. For first responders, support groups with other members of the same “community” offer a safe and secure environment to learn more about addiction and discuss with like-minded peers the day-to-day experiences that first led to addiction. This is not to say that first responders can discuss specific cases or situations; however, the overall depth of their work, the challenges they face, and how those challenges led them to seek addiction treatment.

The American Society for Addiction Medicine recommends that first responders seek addiction treatment programs that address their unique needs. As noted above, the daily environment in which first responders operate is vastly different from a nine to five office job or virtually any other type of career. First responders or any position that involves maintaining public safety. Additionally, many first responders have access to the same drugs (or alcohol) they sought treatment to overcome. Consequently, relapse prevention education and aftercare treatment planning may be different for first responders than for other members of the general public.

Another notable treatment difference is that many first responders make poor patients. They are used to being the person who helps, not the person being helped. Years of training and employment experience have taught many first responders to quickly establish and maintain control over the most stressful and emotionally charged situation. This becomes ingrained and could be an added complication when first responders are required to transition into the role of “patient” and allow an addiction treatment provider to “take control.” 

The most successful treatment programs for first responders will employ treatment providers who understand these challenges. They must be trained not only to be compassionate towards this unique characteristic of their patients but to find a way to use it as a strength throughout their treatment program. Also, as previously noted, first responders often do better in groups of like-minded individuals or peers from the same professional background. Stigma related to addiction treatment is a barrier for everyone, not just first responders. However, the barrier is even more significant for first responders, including police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. 

Again, first responders are expected to be the person in control and the person providing safety, support, and guidance to people in need. It’s not uncommon for first responders to feel judgment if their car workers or community members learn they have a drug or alcohol addiction. Also, suppose they fear the information related to their addiction could be relayed to superiors within their department. 

In that case, they are likely not to open up during individual or group therapy sessions. Successful addiction treatment requires openness and honesty. Sometimes, being in a group of peers enables higher levels of communication and honesty as the other group members likely share the same worries or fears.