First responders dedicate their lives to taking care of people. They provide hope to those in need and are often literal life savers. However, there’s no denying that it’s a demanding and emotionally taxing job. While it’s a noble profession, the needs of first responders often go unnoticed. Most people don’t think about the fact that the person rescuing them or providing emergency medical care is also just a person with physical and emotional needs, too.
Sound familiar? If you’re a first responder, it’s important to understand the potential effects of witnessing and experiencing regular trauma. Whether you’ve had to deal with natural disasters, human-inflicted incidents, or gruesome accidents, chances are you’ve experienced things that the average person never will.
One of those potential effects is addiction. First responders are particularly vulnerable to addiction and understanding why can help you avoid going down this path.
The Stress of the Job
Again, there’s no question that being a first responder is stressful. No matter how rewarding it might be, you’re often faced with emergencies where people’s lives are on the line. That puts a lot of pressure on your shoulders. Furthermore, things don’t always work out the way you might want them to. You might come to a scene where people are already injured beyond rescue. If you’re a doctor or surgeon, you might lose someone on the table. That kind of stress takes a toll on the mind and body. It’s never easy to think about, but it does happen.
Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
Not only do first responders often work under stressful conditions, but many work long shifts or odd hours. You might spend most of your free time just trying to catch up on sleep, but that doesn’t always come easily when you’re plagued with the things you’ve seen and experienced. That kind of stress and odd schedule can lead many first responders to try unhealthy coping mechanisms. Maybe you turn to alcohol or drugs to get better sleep or “forget” about some of the things you’ve been through for a while.
Unfortunately, the more you start to use those techniques to relax and forget, the easier it is to become dependent. You also might need more of whatever substance you’re taking for it to have a continued effect. What starts as something helpful that seems to work can quickly be abused. It can even turn into an addiction.
Finding Healthy Ways to Cope
People become addicted to substances for various reasons. In your profession, it’s unlikely that the people you spend time with or the places you frequent are a major factor. Rather, you might have started trying drugs or alcohol to deal with stress or keep your emotions in check. No matter your intentions, it’s far too easy to lose control when you rely on substances to deal with stress or to cope with trauma.
Instead, finding healthier ways to cope while realizing that you’re not alone in your struggle is important. You cannot pour from an empty cup, and while you might spend most of your time caring for others, it’s imperative to care for yourself first. Practice self-care daily by prioritizing sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising, and finding hobbies you enjoy. Lean on friends and family for support, and make sure you have people you can talk to, especially if you’re struggling with stress or need a healthy outlet.
If you feel like the stress has become overwhelming or you can’t seem to move past the trauma you’ve experienced, don’t hesitate to seek out professional help. You deserve it, and it can be necessary to keep doing your job well and maintain your mental well-being and avoid addiction.
If you are struggling with your mental health as a first responder, don’t hesitate to reach out to me for help with either anxiety treatment or depression treatment.