Police officers play a very important role and are a critical piece of the puzzle of a community. They have a job that has to be filled within every modern society. Law enforcement officers help to keep the peace and protect citizens from danger. In most situations, police officers are also role models that many people, particularly young children, look up to and want to imitate. Because of this role and the pressure to be model citizens and the fact that everyone is always watching them, many law enforcement officers feel ashamed about a chemical dependency problem that they may have. This often leads to self-imposed isolation, lack of support, added stress and anxiety, the development of depression and other harmful symptoms of alcoholism that are worsened when one does not have a good support system.
How Common is Police Intoxication?
Research has shown that police alcoholism and drug abuse are much higher than many realize and can be as high or even higher in some areas than that of the general population. This alarming statistic is thought to be largely due to the stressful and at times traumatic life police officers and law enforcement endure day in and day out. Combined with the pressure from the community to never appear weak or to have a bad day and it can quickly become too much to handle without some way to deal with the stress. Unfortunately, many officers work in an environment where co-workers often rely on smoking, drinking, or drugs to deal with stress, so the temptation and peer pressure to start is very high as well.
How to Identify Alcoholism in a Police Officer
Identifying alcoholic behavior in a police officer can be difficult but it is the necessary first step to getting them the help and support they need to break the cycle. Here are some of the common warning signs that can indicate an officer is dealing with their own personal battle with alcoholism:
Self-imposed isolation
Many police officers begin drinking as a social opportunity and a way to relax and destress after a hard day on the streets. As the alcohol use continues and intensifies, they will often begin to drink outside of social events and may even hide in a room at home to drink alone and in private. Another warning sign of alcohols-induced isolation is a lack of interest in things they once loved- dropping out of social clubs, avoiding friends, not doing things they used to do, and avoiding family and friends. All of this is done so they can have more time to drink; they may even turn what social interactions they do have into an opportunity to or an excuse to drink.
Financial Problems
Another common sign of any alcoholic, including those in law enforcement, is having money issues. Most of the extra money that an alcoholic has will go towards buying alcohol. In some situations, they may even ignore other obligations or cut back on other spending in order to have more money to put to their drinking habit. Since most police officers are paid a decent wage, especially if they have been in the service for a number of years, if an officer is often saying they are short on money or as asking for money or for someone to cover their tab, this may be a sign of a hidden alcohol problem.
Mood Swings
Serious alcohol addiction will have a huge impact on the mood, personality, and behavior of the individual. When sober, the officer might become easily agitated, anxious, paranoid, judgmental, or depressed. Once they are able to drink again, they may suddenly shift moods and appear more energized, upbeat, and easy-going. However, some alcoholics have the opposite mood shift and get quiet, reserved, irritated, and annoyed when they are drinking. If you suspect someone is developing a problem with alcohol, keeping an eye on their moods will be one of the first ways you can start to notice that something is wrong.
Contact Quest 2 Recovery For Help
Quest 2 Recovery is a dual diagnosis, substance abuse program in Southern California that offers detoxification and residential inpatient levels of care. We specialize in chemical dependency recovery and have helped everyone from police and law enforcement officials to members of the general public and we can help you too! Call today for more information and to schedule your consultation with our team.
