Addiction Support for First Responders
Helping First Responders Find the Addiction Support They Need
First responders work in an extremely stressful profession that requires long hours under intense working conditions, as well as frequent exposure to traumatic events. Since there is an unpredictability in the nature of their day-to-day life, it can lead to a lack of balance and wellness in their lives. All of this can lead to mental health issues, which is common among first responders and occurs at a higher rate than the general population. There is no single cause for this, but the repeated exposure to trauma all combined with a brief or non-existent recovery period can lead to someone seeking comfort and emotional control with drugs or alcohol. And with these mental health conditions come substance abuse to help ease those mental burdens. That is what we want to avoid with our addiction support for first responders.
Addiction Support Websites & Hot Lines for First Responders
Due to these aforementioned factors, we at Remembering Brian Kanterman strive to help first responders in need of addiction support. Here are some hot lines and websites for those looking for support in their lives.
Hot Lines
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 800-662-4357
- Drug Abuse hotline: 866-685-4790
- Al-Anon and Ala-teen hotline line: 800-356-9996
- National Suicide Prevention: 800-273-8255
- Boys Town: 800-448-3000 (TDD) line for the speech and hearing impaired (800-448-1833)
Resources
It has long been known the difficulties first responders face when simply doing their job. The trauma they experience is a lot and their mental health has been overlooked for too long. There is no reason that with the right people in their lives and seeking the right resources that first responders cannot live a happy and healthy life. The experiencing of trauma is a necessary part of their job, but there are things that they can do to minimize the distress and harm from these experiences and that is why we want them to reach out when they feel they need to.
Studies show that if a first responder seeks help and treatment immediately after experiencing a traumatic event, there is significantly less long-term distress and mental health complications arising from the event. So please, seek out help from the resources above. Do not put your mental health to the side anymore and make it a priority.
About Mental Health & Substance Abuse
PTSD and anxiety are strongly associated with substance abuse and with someone developing a drug or alcohol dependence. These conditions happening at the same time also leads to a higher risk of suicide ideation and attempts. First responders experience trauma on a nearly daily basis, which is how anxiety and PTSD surface. And without the proper treatment and recourse, these mental issues can lead to a higher chance of substance abuse and addiction.
Substance abuse among first responders is a serious issue, but one that can be helped when seeking out the right help. There is no reason to suffer. At Remembering Brian Kanterman, we want to give all first responders with addiction problems the support they need. Finding comprehensive and integrated care and treatment for both mental health and substance abuse is the most effective way to achieve long-term recovery and health. Break free from the chains of addiction and get the help you need.
You can help out those suffering from addiction by donating whatever you can. These donations go a long way to help first responders find the addiction support they need.
Click below to donate.
Your donation, regardless of its size, helps us keep Brian’s spirit of service alive. And allows us to get first responders the addiction support they need.