Research shows that alcohol actively impedes trauma recovery by altering brain chemistry and disrupting emotional processing. Rather than supporting healing, alcohol can create a vicious cycle that reinforces fear memories, blocks crucial sleep-related memory processing and increases the long-term risk of developing or worsening post-traumatic stress injuries.

Because you chose a profession of public service as a police officer, you are twice as likely to abuse alcohol as the general population. This is primarily due to the high stress and daily work-related traumas of the job. Many officers use alcohol to self-medicate and cope with work stress. They use it to calm down, relax, numb themselves, try to sleep and try to forget.

However, mixing alcohol with a profession that experiences trauma (any experience with the potential to have serious negative effects over a long period of time) is an extremely high-risk behavior with a long history of lost careers; post-traumatic stress; unprofessional service; depression, anxiety and sleep disorders; lost relationships; and death through suicide (an officer’s No. 1 cause of death). Alcohol use compounds the effects of trauma on the brain, making the development of post-traumatic stress more likely and recovery from trauma much more difficult.

Research indicates that about 30% of officers will develop post-traumatic stress during their careers due to the work-related traumas they experience, which is several times higher than the general population. Data shows that if an officer has symptoms of post-traumatic stress and drinks, their risk of dying by suicide increases tenfold — that’s a 900% increased risk. Mixing alcohol with a profession involving trauma is among the most dangerous behaviors an officer can engage in.

Why alcohol

The effects of alcohol on officers can be quite insidious. Initially, as officers experience more work-related trauma and stress, alcohol may appear to help them relax, sleep and unwind. However, with prolonged use, it often produces the opposite effects, actually increasing anxiety, distress, sleep issues and difficulty coping.

When this happens, officers may begin drinking more in an attempt to recapture those initial effects, which can make the negative effects increasingly severe. I know of an officer who drank 103 gallons of Crown Royal in five months. Mixing distressing experiences with alcohol can create a rising tide effect, where officers often do not realize how much they are drinking, how dependent they have become on it or how it has impaired their resilience and peace of mind.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

There are several proven treatments that enable officers to recover and heal — or at least manage their symptoms — from traumatic work experiences without resorting to alcohol or other substances. One of the most powerfully effective treatments is called EMDR, which has been around for more than 30 years. (See EMDRIA.org for more information and to find a local EMDR-certified trauma professional.)

With relatively few sessions, officers typically experience significant, long-term relief from distressing symptoms. (For more information, see my article, “A PTSD treatment that works,” at apbweb.com/2021/04/ptsd-treatment-that-works, and Dr. Stephanie Conn’s “EMDR: A treatment for trauma” at apbweb.com/2021/12/emdr-a-treatment-for-trauma.)

EMDR should be considered after any critical incident, if you experience distressing symptoms that are disrupting your life, as an annual form of maintenance and prevention, and if your spouse or close friend keeps telling you that something is wrong with you. It’s an incredible recovery tool that I’ve used myself. Every first responder I know who has experienced the healing effects of EMDR says it’s the best thing they’ve ever done.

If an officer has symptoms of post-traumatic stress and drinks, their risk of dying by suicide increases tenfold.

Alcohol’s red flag

The major red flag of alcohol use is when an officer drinks because they believe they need it. They perceive they “need” it to relax, unwind, sleep or so their spouse’s voice doesn’t feel like an ice pick going through their ears. The definition of moderate drinking is one to two drinks, never more than three at any given time. According to Dr. David Black, “If you have any difficulty limiting your intake at all, meaning you can’t keep it to one drink, it is much better never to drink at all” as an officer.

Other red flags include if anyone has ever told you that you drink too much, if you’ve tried to drink less and were unable to or if you’ve found drinking has caused issues with the quality of your life or your relationships.

Early intervention, peer support and employee assistance programs

There are excellent resources available if you or a colleague realize that drinking has caused too many problems. Safe Call Now (safecallnow.us) is a comprehensive, confidential crisis referral service for first responders and their families.

CopLine is a nationwide, confidential hotline (800-267-5463) answered by retired officers who understand the specific stresses of the job.

Regional first responder Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) groups are also available. AA has helped millions of people overcome alcohol abuse and regain control of their lives.

Conclusion

Police work is one of the most difficult and dangerous professions. Don’t compromise your ability to remain healthy and resilient throughout your career by resorting to alcohol. In the long run, it provides no positive effects and can create a cascade of potentially dangerous consequences that may seriously impair your career and life.