ALCOHOL & LAW ENFORCEMENT: MARRIAGE MADE IN HELL
/ALCOHOL & LAW ENFORCEMENT: MARRIAGE MADE IN HELL
By: Joel E. Gordon and George Beck, Ph.D.
Alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine share several common features. Being palatable for their mild psychotropic properties, they are the most widely consumed drugs worldwide. As licit psychoactive drugs, they are used mostly by "normal" people, in contrast to Illicit "hard drugs." – Source National Library of Medicine.
Use of Alcohol in Law Enforcement
Caffeine via a cup or two of coffee to start your day. An alcoholic beverage, perhaps a beer or two, to wind down before retiring to end your day. Sound familiar? At what point does this become problematic?
The law enforcement profession is ripe with pitfalls for enthusiastic newcomers soon to experience. Many agencies still run around the clock on shift work, often changing working hours weekly, leaving many officers exhausted. The rookie cop cruising their patrol area at 3 a.m., excited for the job, soon relies on coffee and/or energy drinks to keep from crashing the patrol vehicle. A career initially met with grand ideas of selfless service and sacrifice for the safety and protection of the community recedes slowly into a reality that, all too often, officers are not equipped to handle. Experiencing traumatic situations begins to take its toll in multiple ways. Having a child die in an officer's arms, watching someone burn alive while they can't pull them to safety, seeing lifeless bodies twisted in the carnage of car wrecks or witnessing the endless suicides that frequently were permanent solutions to temporary problems are everyday experiences officers are tasked with on a moment’s notice.
In the high-pressure world of law enforcement, officers routinely face excessive stress and trauma in and out of their departments. Yeah, also inside their departments where officers who are genuine and intellectually honest with their thoughts and words will surely tell you, the internal stress from megalomaniac bosses and cowardly administrators who genuflect nauseatingly to politicians quick to throw a good officer under the bus for personal gain is a battle many cops are also not prepared for. They experience leaderless anxiety-riddled milquetoast bosses/administrators who are insecure loathsome snakes intimidated by the success of another, challenged by their own insecurities, and quick to sabotage.
As the months and years roll by, the officers often become adaptive to their unconventional environment, socializing with other officers in a closed society—because who else could understand what they go through—where they've been, what they've seen, or had to do to perform their duties? The world's evils continue while the officer stems the tide, responsible for everything—nowadays, appreciated for nothing inside and outside their departments.
This constant exposure to difficult situations can lead some officers to turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism—a form of temporary escape. It is, therefore, no surprise that socializing off-duty with alcohol is a professional norm. However, using alcohol as a coping mechanism often exacerbates the problem, leading to a multitude of negative consequences for the officers' mental well-being. The burden of alcoholism further compounds the already challenging nature of police work, creating a cycle that is difficult to break.
Alcohol and law enforcement can become a marriage made in hell.
"Yeah, I drink a lot, but I can control myself." Sound familiar? Too many officers have said this to themselves and others to coach themselves to believe they do not have a problem.
However, the truth is the frequency of alcoholism within the police force is a deeply concerning issue that affects not only the officers themselves but also their families and the communities they serve.
Police alcoholism can significantly impact an officer's ability to perform their duties effectively. The perplexing nature of this issue is evident in the fact that those tasked with upholding the law may find themselves compromised by their own struggles with alcoholism. This internal conflict can lead to errors in judgment, compromised decision-making and a decline in overall professional performance. It leads to a relentless cycle of drinking, experiencing temporary relief or numbness, and then facing the consequences of their actions. Deteriorating physical health, such as liver disease and cardiovascular problems to depression and anxiety, are all effects of alcoholism that can be extensive and long-lasting. Damaged relationships with loved ones who often bear the brunt of the consequences, experiencing emotional turmoil, financial strain, and strained relationships as a result of their loved one's drinking, are also associated with alcoholism.
Addressing the issue of police alcoholism requires a comprehensive approach that acknowledges the complexity of the problem. Providing access to confidential mental health resources, implementing effective stress management programs and fostering a culture that destigmatizes seeking help are crucial steps in supporting officers struggling with alcoholism. By understanding the multifaceted nature of this issue and offering relevant support, law enforcement agencies can work toward mitigating the impact of alcoholism within their ranks.
Recognizing the signs of alcoholism and seeking help is crucial for individuals and their families. With the proper support and treatment, individuals can break free from the cycle of alcoholism and rebuild their lives.
Blue magazine's sister organization, Moment of Silence, has been saving lives for over a decade. If you have an issue or something you feel you cannot handle, please get in touch with us. And although we might not have all the answers, we have the passion to want to do the best for you. So, we will mentor you, find whatever we can do and help you within our capacity. We get it. When faced with a problem, officers are afraid to say something because many panic, sound the alarm or gossip to everyone. We are different. We've held a retreat, all paid for, where officers stayed at a lake and over 100 acres. It's just a beautiful template where officers find serenity and peace. We hold many events where officers come together to help each other. So, again, if you have any issues, please contact us as an organization. We care about you. We're here for you. Your life and career depend on it.
