First Responders Addiction Treatment Program
First responders protect and serve the public. They are our heroes in moments of catastrophe and chaos. But who helps first responders when they are struggling? The truth is first responders are exposed to extreme circumstances regularly. The high rates of dealing with extreme events often lead to substance use and mental health concerns.
First responders require specialized treatment to help treat substance use and mental disorders. We are pleased to bring the First Responders Addiction Treatment Program in beautiful Southern California to help those who make it their life’s work to help others.
First Responder Exclusive Recovery Center
Specialized Addiction Treatment for First Responders
First responders face high rates of substance use disorder, mental health disorders, and suicide. More first responders die from suicide than in the line of duty each year. Unfortunately, many first responders also turn to alcohol or other drugs as a coping mechanism, which in turn, increases the risk for suicide.
Culturally Competent & Confidential Treatment for First Responders
All of the counselors and support staff at Clear Life Recovery are first responders culturally competent. They have experience and extensive knowledge of first responders and the trauma they face as part of their career and life.
Confidentiality is of the utmost importance to us and to our patients. We realize that there is still a stigma surrounding alcohol and drug use disorders. We also realize that first responders are not always welcomed by other patients in a traditional drug and alcohol rehab setting. Therefore, Clear Life Recovery only provides treatment to First Responders.
In addition to exclusively working with First Responders, we will do whatever we can to help make your transition to treatment as smooth as possible. Our staff will work with you and help you along the way so you can focus on your recovery.
Levels of Care Specialized Treatment for First Responders
In addition to specialized treatment for first responders, all clients have access to the full range of treatment modalities offered by Clear Life Recovery, including:
- Medically Supervised Detox
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Confidential and culturally competent treatment
- Dedicated Treatment for Men and Women
- Partial Hospitalization Program
- Intensive Outpatient Program
- LGBTQ+ Programming
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment
- Nutrition Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Holistic Therapies
- Individual, Group, and Family Therapy Options
On-The-Job Trauma and Stress
There are specific obstacles first responders regularly encounter that others do not face. Some of these obstacles include line-of-duty trauma, line-of-duty death, post-shooting trauma (law enforcement). These work-related traumas can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health concerns, such as depression and anxiety.
In addition to on-the-job trauma, first responders are exposed to extreme circumstances that most of us do not see regularly. Long hours, lack of sleep, and adrenaline surged situations are commonplace for first responders. They also experience physical pain from injuries sustained on the job and must put themselves in the middle of violence and cruelty as part of their occupation. The everyday stress of their profession is not something that our bodies are made to handle on a long-term basis.
The stress and complex emotions first responders experience in their daily work often become unbearable. Between 125 and 300 police officers die by suicide every year, and firefighters also have higher rates of suicidal ideation and rates of suicide than the general population. Rates of PTSD and depression among first responders are estimated to be 5 times higher than the civilian population rates. [1]
Why do First Responders Need Specialized Treatment for Addiction?
While there are always barriers to treatment for people struggling with addiction, first responders often face a second list of barriers specific to their occupation.
Barriers to treatment for first responders:
- Difficulty asking for help
- Guilt or fear or breaking public trust
- The stigma of addiction and substance use
- Fear of losing a job or disappointing your co-workers or department
Knowing that there is a specialized treatment program for first responders is often helpful in breaking down these barriers to treatment. Knowing that other first responders need help for addiction and mental health disorders is often a significant component of someone reaching out for help.
Get Started
With the proper support and care, first responders can work through complex trauma (physical and emotional) associated closely with their career they dedicate themselves to.
Start recovery now, and get back to the career that you pour yourself into. We’ll help you with the tools necessary to not only begin healing but also maintain lasting recovery.
For more information or a tour of Clear Life Recovery, please give us a call.
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