Alcoholism in the Police Community

[KM Reilly]

i just cant stay away, i love cops. i wish i was 1 but im too stupid fat and crazy. my job at pennysaver rules.
see you tomorrow, when i have another name and post that no one reads.

[KM Reilly]

Choir Practice And Its Effects On The Law Enforcement Family

The story begins at the end of the midnight shift. The guys were stopping by McGee's Bar to unwind and deal with the stress of the day and Mike wasn't about to miss out. I'll just have a couple of beers. It can't hurt. But a couple turned into six and I found myself pulled over to the side of the road with blue lights flashing in my rearview. As the officer from the next county walked up to my car, I flashed my badge out the driver's side window. The officer replied, "Have you been drinking tonight?" I answered, "I just got off at midnight and had a few brews with the guys." He took my ID and asked me to step from the car. I opened the door and nearly fell out onto the road. He asked me to walk the line and then asked me to be seated in my car as he took my keys. Back to his car he went with my keys and ID in hand. The next thing I see is the overnight Watch Commander from my Department pulling up and asked me to get in his car. He explained that he was taking me to our DUI testing office and my car would be towed to the office. That night I blew a .20 and soon realized I needed help with my problem. This was my second time and my last chance!

"Alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychological, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifest- ations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by continuous or periodic: impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, and use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortion in thinking, most notably denial."

How can officers, knowing and seeing on a daily basis what alcohol does to some of the citizens they serve and protect, continue to drink knowing the dangers of alcohol. Mike's story is not unique. Most people would conclude that the law enforcement occupation involves significant stress. Some officers describe it as "periods of boredom mixed with moments of sheer terror." Both police administrators and police union officials, not to mention the officers and their families, acknowledge that police officers experience high rates of heart disease, and other stress-related health problems, in addition to marital and relationship difficulties, depression and suicide, and, of course, alcoholism, more than other professions.

Alcoholism and associated addictions are prevalent in police departments and law enforcement agencies of every size and type. The first thing an officer must do is admit there is a problem. A major barrier to recognition of the problem as well as to entering treatment is denial, which can take many forms and may be reinforced by forces that apart from the officer's own denial. Related to the issue of denial is the question of trust and confidentiality. Denial is a particularly handy defense mechanism that allows people to believe that they do not in fact have a problem. Denial is also a major characteristic of the disease of addiction, and is both logical and to be expected. Denial may be shared by family members and co-workers, usually for different reasons. Some of the myths and realities are as follows:

Myth: Once an alcoholic, always and alcoholic.

Reality: Alcoholism is a disease for which recovery is guaranteed if the alcoholic begins and sticks with a recovery program. If not, what's guaranteed is a premature death.

Myth: All alcoholics are skid row drunks.

Reality: Many alcoholics hold high-level jobs and function well at work for years before their performance is noticeably affected by drinking.

Myth: Alcoholics drink every day.

Reality: Alcohol abuse patterns vary. Some people daily, and others only on weekends.

Myth: If an alcoholic can stop drinking, he or she doesn't have a problem.

Reality: Abstinence is not a sign that someone is free of alcoholism. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) calls these abstainers "dry drunks" because they have no real understanding of their condition, no new ways to cope, and are almost certain to "fall off the wagon."

The Concept of Enabling

Rule #1 "Don't Talk" _ We all see it, we all smell it, and we all know its there! But no one dare talk about it. Maybe it will go away if we ignore it and if we are good enough.

Rule #2 "Don't Feel" _ Feelings sometimes lead to thoughts, and thinking can lead to a need for change. In the alcoholic family, the process of change is blocked through a denial of feelings. The last thing an officer wants is confrontation by his family or boss. The officer begins to dread coming home at night, as all that is waiting are accusations of infidelity from the spouse, and demands on their time from the children. These demands keep them away from what becomes compulsively the most relieving activity of their life - and that is "Choir Practice."

Rule #3 "Don't Trust" _ Distrust is a way of life and a matter of survival for those in the law enforcement profession. Many officers state that the only people you can trust are cops. All of the many trust issues become magnified in the substance abusing officer's family. Many promises are made only to be broken the next day. This behavior follows from the officer to his or her children when they realize they can't trust their parent and maybe because of their parent's profession, they can't always trust their friends at school.

It's Time To Make A Change = It's Time For Treatment

There are some obstacles to overcome. The first is fear. What if someone finds out I'm going for treatment? The next obstacle to overcome is the denial system on everyone's part. It is necessary not only to treat the substance abusing officer but the whole family. Treating the officer alone would be like taking a piece from a puzzle, changing the shape of that piece, and then trying to replace that changed piece in the same puzzle; it won't work. It is misleading to think that things will be perfect if and when the alcoholic stops drinking. Recovery from alcoholism is a long haul project with many ups and downs. AA and other 12-step programs say the process never ends. They encourage alcoholics to make a lifetime commitment to a recovery program.

Information for this article was taken from "I Love a Cop" by Ellen Kirschman, Ph.D and "Law Enforcement Families - Issues and Answers" an FBI Publication.

[OTJ]

I'll drink to that! Cheers

[Alcoholism in the Police]

so in other words we win again!!!! see you in november go yankees

[Dubious]

Quote:Studies done on Long Island, NY show that while the level of crime, amount of 911 calls has the various police departments that patrol in Nassau County, Suffolk County, in the top 50%, the incidents of alcoholism, drug use and even divorce are among the lowest in the country. This is good news. Would you care to post a link or show us who conducted these "studies?"

[supported claims]

nah go find it yourself cop groupie loser, youre the king of articles

[unsupported claims]

scary you actually read that, cant say the same for yours except UNLAWFUL GRATUITIES
ROTFLMAO

[alky]

Alcohol plays a key part in many suicides. An officer who’s unhappy or depressed drinks in order to feel better. He or she may feel better at first, but ultimately, the alcohol just makes the officer feel even worse. The alcohol also makes the officer’s judgment worse, and lowers the officer’s inhibitions. The officer then kills himself/herself, or has a fatal "accident" with a gun or a car.

If you know that an officer is deeply depressed or unhappy, do not take him/her out to get drunk and "cheer up."

You can get help for alcohol problems at Alcoholics Anonymous. If your spouse, family member, or friend has a drinking problem, and you need help dealing with it, you can also contact Alanon. (Check your local phone book or call information to find out about Alcoholics Anonymous or Alanon meetings near you).

[but we'll take YOUR word]

-- or you can post repetively on police issues

What else would you expect people to post on a police message board? Got an answer for that one Loser?

[preglock]

ok i have to say ive bever heard of the study mentioned above, but i would agree with the findings.
once a month after inspection in our squad, several of the young, single guys and ladies try to get us to go out after. most of us old farts decline, reasons vary from picking kids up, golf outings, boat outings or getting them off to school. there are about thirty bodies in our squad, most squads, cops i know out here will tell you the same.
i would never say that no cop in suffolk or nassau is an alcoholic, but in our side of the woods, i wouldnt expect the % to be more than median for any profession where you make 100 plus grand.
every cop i know wakes up nearly every day happy to be a scpo, and i think thats the difference.when you get tired of patrol, you put in for a transfer and start a new part of your career. a good paying career, where you'll never worry about making ends meet, endless career choices, excellent supervisors,
many people will tell you this is the best job on earth. they are very happy to be here. drugs or alcohol make you forget,why numb your body to good feelings?

[200dot35]

or you can post repetively on police issues

''What else would you expect people to post on a police message board? Got an answer for that one Loser?''
sure,
mostly stuff about police, and not repetively

[200dot35]

or you can post repetively on police issues
u see the name up there, police issues,on li politics.com not the topic of your posts

[TBAW]

Hello McFly's, never mind who's handwriting it's in, someone has to do it. None of you have done your homework! Alcoholism, divorce, suicide etc... are not statistically more prevalent among cops than anyone else. Cops (and their employers) just deny it more! Any perceived weakness-- excessive drinking, family problems, and particularly psychological problems are systemically denied. The United States Department of Justice sponsored an FBI report, titled; 'Suicide and Law Enforcement', release in 2001. This report is based on the compilation of papers submitted at a conference held in 1999. Don't have the time to read the entire report? Go directly to page 235, and read the submission by Neil S. Hibler, titled; Police Suicide: Fatal Misunderstandings. If not, continue to post nonsense....

[Dubious]

ok what proof you have that they deny it more?
did someone do a study of who denies things, and again what does that have to do with li police? they hardly are run of the mill jobs, great pay,benefits.good bosses, never went home freaked out like i did in the city.
and how do u not report suicide?

[925a]

So there isnt an alcohol problem IN ANY OTHER COMMUNITY!!!!!!

we are the only drunks<HIC>.

seriously
face it we are like celebrities to these dips. every move we make..........., they're in awe of us

[925a]

They called just the firemen drunks?

[cr21]

i had been on the big road for 7 years,now im off for 3 years, been a cop for over 20 in suffolk, never have pulled over a ncpd, scpd for dwi. have gotten some relatives, sherrifs, city, out of stae leos, and cos,.
before i hear any crap, always did the right thing.
very rare any of us out here on the island screw up like that. iknow someones going to say im lieing, thats fine.

[BLUETOO]

NEVER PULLED OVER A DWI COP BUT A COUPLE OF C.O.'S

[heynow]

hey now

[I Believe cr21]

Quote:cr21:

i had been on the big road for 7 years,now im off for 3 years, been a cop for over 20 in suffolk, never have pulled over a ncpd, scpd for dwi. have gotten some relatives, sherrifs, city, out of stae leos, and cos,.
before i hear any crap, always did the right thing.
very rare any of us out here on the island screw up like that. iknow someones going to say im lieing, thats fine. Without a doubt, I believe you! Really, I believe you.

I believe you when you write that ALL these other members of your extended law enforcement family have an alcohol problem, yet the immediate members of your police family DO NOT have an alcohol problem.

Yup...I believe cr21 alright.

I'm also damn happy to read that when cr21 detains a drunk driving police family member, he is more than willing to do the right thing by letting the drunk driving cop go so perhaps, on another date, the alcohol abusing cop can kill himself or someone else...

I admire officers like cr21...officers who like cr21, are willing to ignore a police family member's mental health problems, and public safety...all in the name of as cr21 put it, "I...always did the right thing."

[HA]

It always amazes me that the Police are so intriguing that civilians spend so much energy and effort to look at us, our websites, and our literature. This topic is a good example of how interesting we as Police officers must be. People are spending their own free time to try and attempt to influence public option against the law enforcement community. I know, (and I don't know any LEO, who does) I do not spend my holiday weekends writing postings against anything. Sorry you have such a lack of a life. Maybe we should subject your profession to such review. But, I must assume, if you have this much free time you may not have a profession or much of what could be a life.

[Cop]

it makes sense, how many people that lead our much ballyhooed extravagant lives hit the skids like you, the common folk?
i dont think anyone really cares what you believe, here or even in your own little world

[scpd forever]

its all perception, people want to lump us in with mos that are less fortunate than us, yet in the next post, under the next name, they'll rip us apart fro not doing anything out here, well if were hiding all day at the firehouse how stressful can our job be? if we aint stressed why we boozing to ''numb'' ourselves from our stressful reality
cant have it both ways son.

[Ethics]

It always amazes me that the Police are so intriguing that civilians spend so much energy and effort to look at us,

I cannot speak for others yet I have to admit I find police officers like cr21 extremely intriguing.

Especially when cr21 admits he derives pleasure from intentionally failing to arrest police officers who endanger public safety when they intentionally get drunk and then drive home to their loved ones.

[Yayabeaanes]

extremely intriguing because of all the whining they do about being underpaid, over worked, understaffed, poor equipment, this one can't do the job, that one got their promotion because of who they know, she a woman and can't do the job, they lowered the standards, he got in cause his father was a cop, that one's a relative so let him go, so screw it, let the public be damned, yada yada yada.

And then there's the press. One day they show the public what a cop supposed to do, what they stand for and the next day, they show a cop for who he really is and what he's really capable of despite the oath, moral upbringing, faith, devotion and conscience.

Like the NYCPD top dog caught by a mere small instrument that does not lie because of the thin blue line, for the good of the brotherhood. The EZpass that had that NYC police officer crossing the line of the public good for his own personal gain when he was supposed to be on the JOB.

Seems like Police Officers are forgeting a simple basic rule their mothers always mentioned. Always wear clean underwear, you never know what will happen.

[Gary Gout]

Can any police officer on this board name one police function they attend where alcohol is not consumed?

[mike5432]

radar school, the academy, evoc, bike training etc.

[200dot35]

yup,you are a cop groupie

[200dot35]

''extremely intriguing because of all the whining they do about being underpaid, over worked, understaffed, poor equipment, this one can't do the job, that one got their promotion because of who they know, she a woman and can't do the job, they lowered the standards, he got in cause his father was a cop, that one's a relative so let him go, so screw it, let the public be damned, yada yada yada.''
sounds like any other job i worked prior to getting on scpd. maybe thats what you need, a job.

[What A Joke]

i for 1 do not attend police functions, nor do i drink. i have many friends on the job that have 500+ $ bicycles and go riding on their rdos and are the epitomy of health.
i know 8 out of 10 guys i work with eitherare members of our pct. gym,or a commercial gym or have their own gym. your job profiling of the stereotypical cop needs to be updated, maybe you should stop watching the cop dramas on skinemax, and talk to a few living officers, preferably ones who work out here and are under 40 years of age.

[Yayabeanes]

Well, you aint seen nothing yet. I have been gainfully employed for many many years in a profession that for the most part hires ex-cops. And there's one thing I can tell you for sure, once you hang up that uniform and turn in that shield, go Joe Public, you are in for a rude bitter wakening.

[200dot 35]

as if im going to work a menial job instead of staying here and making 130- plus a year. sorry not from suffolk job

[i smell some envy]

so your a squarebadge? or let me guess a squarebadge supervisor? for one who held multiple jobs prior to my hire date, i'll tell you right now its just a job.
as far as the retirees, i feel for them, im glad suffolk knows how to treat their retirees, when i retire, im done why work for 10.00 a hour if i could stay for 50?

[yaya]

right on
even when we go civilian, the retirees are treated great out here outside their benes and pension, they'll still receive the courtesy they deserve from active members. if they are witness something criminal , by the way they are treated by the active pos and courts like a po, their testimony is valued.and of course they are welcome at any of the police functions were all the booze is.
as far as employment, many will just stay on here. as the other posters stated why leave and get less. every year you're contributing to your pension, and making decent money.
i do know some older vets, actually many pos that have their own businesses. most of them started these with the idea of transitioning into them at retirement. they get a good customer base by offering us a discount. i know pos that are homebuilders, contractors, lawyers, nurses or other medical jobs, gym owners, cell phone services, etc. so i doubt many of us would retire to get bossed around by you at protec or whatever hospital you work at.

[even more green]

actually its funny, im 2-3 years away from retirement and just got a part time gig as a 1st responder for my local fd. i've been certified for years as a scpd emt as we all are and the fd is going to get me on as a vollie so i get the tax break.D">
you're not going to find many of us going the rent a cop route.
and i agree, i dont go around pulling over cars off duty, im not going to be heartbroken when i retire. i know my peers will still respect me and treat me right, you see it now when the kids work around you, they listen to my stupid war stories like im a hall of famer

[Yayabeanes]

Not a squarebadge, Einstein.

[200dot35]

frankly he dont care just, proving you wrong whatever job u got is our retirement gig, that shows how high u aspire, im sure its a winner, pennysaver delivery?

[Yayabeanes]

It would be a miracle if you could find your out of a paperbag, much less plastic. As for delivering the Pennysaver, I left that position open for you, one who never completes his words because the typing is just too hard.

[200dot35]

if u think im really trying to figure it out as opposed to making fun of u, u are wrong
ouch u hurt my feelings, sorry i shouldnt make fun of whatever menial job you have, we all cant have good jobs
by the way scpd rules and procedures allows po to type u instead of you on our car computers

[cr21]

yayabeanes states:
''Well, you aint seen nothing yet. I have been gainfully employed for many many years in a profession that for the most part hires ex-cops''
no wonder you hate us, inferiority complex?
''And then there's the press. One day they show the public what a cop supposed to do, what they stand for and the next day, they show a cop for who he really is and what he's really capable of despite the oath, moral upbringing, faith, devotion and conscience''
WHAAAAAAT? is this the blind guy from kung fu talking to grasshopper? ''to become one with all you must become nothing grasshopper''
iwishiwasacop oops i mean ibelievecr21 states:
''Without a doubt, I believe you! Really, I believe you''
and i care because?
''I cannot speak for others yet I have to admit I find police officers like cr21 extremely intriguing''
back off , freddie mercury, you havent even bought me a drink yet

[Yayabeanes]

That was the post from "Ethics" you morons behind a keyboard. Never did I post I was intrigued by the Police. Sweet Jesus Christ, no wonder there are so many incomplete and unreadable accident/incidents reports.


Ethics
Unregistered User
(10/25/04 10:25 pm)
Reply intriguing drunk cops
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It always amazes me that the Police are so intriguing that civilians spend so much energy and effort to look at us,

I cannot speak for others yet I have to admit I find police officers like cr21 extremely intriguing.

Especially when cr21 admits he derives pleasure from intentionally failing to arrest police officers who endanger public safety when they intentionally get drunk and then drive home to their loved ones.

[did you read it]

read the post jackazz, it states a poster who is iwishiwasacop, imean i believe cr21, never said it was you.i hit 2 edps in one post you and ibelievecr21
yayabeanes states:
iwishiwasacop oops i mean ibelievecr21 states:
goodbye
its not that the reports are unreadable its just the words with more than 6 letters that throws you

[Yayabeanes]

Because it took you six months of training to find the letters "u" and "r".

[200dot35]

so that means UR wrong, feel embarassed and R trying to(although poorly) make fun of me. it took U almost a week to think up a zippy remark, by the way i make what U pay in taxes for the year for us, in 1 day, mr painfully employed

[200dot35]

''no wonder there are so many incomplete and unreadable accident/incidents reports.''
how many accident reports, incident reports have you been involved in? U realize incidents report R criminal incidents, let me guess, U were the victim/complaintant? suuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrre, no wonder U R so insecure about UR job and ours

[Yayabeanes]

Not everybody has a menial job because they are not a LEO. Talk about a bloated ego. And never said I was involved in accidents/incidents reports. Geez, you make detective soon. NOT IN THIS LIFETIME! YOU HAVE BAD KARMA

[unlike U painfully employ]

im done with this line of argument, just had the same kind of argument with my 5 year old.
come back if U want to discuss something that cant be ended with i know U R but what am i

[no dont stop]

if you dont answer him, we wont get anymore pearls of wisdom please yaya or whomever you are this day, dont stop posting i need the chuckles.
after you messed the unlawful gratuities you just have not been the same.

[Yayabeanes]

One of yours(notice the U and R in that?)

if u think im really trying to figure it out as opposed to making fun of u, u are wrong
ouch u hurt my feelings, sorry i shouldnt make fun of whatever menial job you have, we all cant have good
jobs

And another line of crap to boost your overinflated ego with assumptions that ony u could fathom

U R so insecure about UR job and ours

And this wasn't yours?(Stalking R U? Now that wouldn't be a first doe a LEO)

it took U almost a week to think up a zippy remark,

In conclusion, unlike uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu, just so uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu get it, I am not like uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu because I do not need to spend all on down time on here.

[sweet 20 and out]

hey hes not the only one that can use U, cant U see, i did that on prupose R U fooled?

[200dot35]

yayabean surely even a simpleton like urself could realize that the past 5-6 posts on this dead end thread have been about my computer shorthand and ur anal retentive remarks. any person could respond with a couple u,r etc to get a shot in. and u fell for it.
if ur not insecure y do u spend so much of ur down time attacking us? i know i wouldnt be caught dead on a message board attacking ur job, or any civilian job, for that matter.

[exactly]

He She She He Lets get it right The post I replied to was why the public finds the police intriguing. Let me make it easy for anybody else with time to kill, I posted it's because of all the media attention that shows police officers doing their job one day and then not doing their job the next by engaging in criminal acts, going down for something they know is against the law. Plus the media always plays up when the police bitch about their job, don't get paid enough, and their superiors, etc.

His short reply between the U and R was that a was a "cop groupie." Which by the way is an atypical remark from someone with an over inflated ego with that large mass of wasted fart space up their ass.

And another short reply of his, that I had a menial job. That's even though he didn't know for sure what I do for a living. But since he is a cop, he made it clear that any position that anyone has is one that is beneath him. Nice attitude but not for sale. That tin badge is not a mirror. He's definitely spent way too much time looking at himself in the patrol cars rear view mirror.

By the way I am comfortable employed and do earn a decent living. Always was and still am. But his reply on that menial job thing as a deliver of Pennysavers, for some people if that's their first and only job or for those where that is a second and or third job. That was an insult. And there you have, a public servant using his position on this public forum to disparage every hard working civilian who's trying to get by, to pay their bills, keep a roof over their heads and support their children. A simple little twist of fate could easily put him in that very same humbling lifestyle.

In case he's interested in a promotion, there's a rumor going around that there's one opening left for COPE, a parade clown. Requirements are that along with an over inflated ego, he will have to bring his own red nose, big floppy shoes and costume. I suggest Simplicity pattern number 3245. Got that Hammertime bust amove thing going on. And if he's got that slightly balding look going. Tease out what's left. Now, that's a look.

P.S. Horn is optional.

[Oh brother]

you look at it as ego, i personally think its deserved. how many people line up here to get their cheap shots in? so we're supposed to take the lazy, fat, drunk, overpaid,underworked crap and smile, right?
if you come on this board and attack us,look at the name of this post, for example, be prepared to get it back.
as usual the 1st sign of resistance, we get the ego thing, sorry its not ego its self-defense.
cant take the heat get out of the kitchen.

[preglock]

had cops gone to a non-cop issues board and attacked civilians i could understand the insecurity thing. instead its the other way around. civilians come here to gripe about cops and a few who're tired of it REACT to it. thats not being insecure or egotistical. thats giving someone what you are getting. perhaps it is the non-leo posters crying about us that are insecure or egotistical.
a long time ago this was a decent message board. now other that the various academy threads it is just that. a place where people come to moan and stereotype leos as whatever. and as soon as 1 of us reply in a manner not to their liking we're attacked for that also.
any post that actually is about police issues, like 10 hour tours, body armor is quickly deleted.

[test]

TEST

[JoeyTreats]

I only drink when its on the armo u no good so and so. And then I drink till i puke, and everynow and then I soil my boxers and I have to leave them out over night to air out u bunch of anti police left wing libs. No good so and so's.

[WTF]

Sugar! All asses love sugar! Those who walk vertical consume donuts! OINK OINK OINK

Choir Practice And Its Effects On The Law Enforcement Family

The story begins at the end of the midnight shift. The guys were stopping by McGee's Bar to unwind and deal with the stress of the day and Mike wasn't about to miss out. I'll just have a couple of beers. It can't hurt. But a couple turned into six and I found myself pulled over to the side of the road with blue lights flashing in my rearview. As the officer from the next county walked up to my car, I flashed my badge out the driver's side window. The officer replied, "Have you been drinking tonight?" I answered, "I just got off at midnight and had a few brews with the guys." He took my ID and asked me to step from the car. I opened the door and nearly fell out onto the road. He asked me to walk the line and then asked me to be seated in my car as he took my keys. Back to his car he went with my keys and ID in hand. The next thing I see is the overnight Watch Commander from my Department pulling up and asked me to get in his car. He explained that he was taking me to our DUI testing office and my car would be towed to the office. That night I blew a .20 and soon realized I needed help with my problem. This was my second time and my last chance!

"Alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychological, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifest- ations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by continuous or periodic: impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, and use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortion in thinking, most notably denial."

How can officers, knowing and seeing on a daily basis what alcohol does to some of the citizens they serve and protect, continue to drink knowing the dangers of alcohol. Mike's story is not unique. Most people would conclude that the law enforcement occupation involves significant stress. Some officers describe it as "periods of boredom mixed with moments of sheer terror." Both police administrators and police union officials, not to mention the officers and their families, acknowledge that police officers experience high rates of heart disease, and other stress-related health problems, in addition to marital and relationship difficulties, depression and suicide, and, of course, alcoholism, more than other professions.

Alcoholism and associated addictions are prevalent in police departments and law enforcement agencies of every size and type. The first thing an officer must do is admit there is a problem. A major barrier to recognition of the problem as well as to entering treatment is denial, which can take many forms and may be reinforced by forces that apart from the officer's own denial. Related to the issue of denial is the question of trust and confidentiality. Denial is a particularly handy defense mechanism that allows people to believe that they do not in fact have a problem. Denial is also a major characteristic of the disease of addiction, and is both logical and to be expected. Denial may be shared by family members and co-workers, usually for different reasons. Some of the myths and realities are as follows:

Myth: Once an alcoholic, always and alcoholic.

Reality: Alcoholism is a disease for which recovery is guaranteed if the alcoholic begins and sticks with a recovery program. If not, what's guaranteed is a premature death.

Myth: All alcoholics are skid row drunks.

Reality: Many alcoholics hold high-level jobs and function well at work for years before their performance is noticeably affected by drinking.

Myth: Alcoholics drink every day.

Reality: Alcohol abuse patterns vary. Some people daily, and others only on weekends.

Myth: If an alcoholic can stop drinking, he or she doesn't have a problem.

Reality: Abstinence is not a sign that someone is free of alcoholism. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) calls these abstainers "dry drunks" because they have no real understanding of their condition, no new ways to cope, and are almost certain to "fall off the wagon."

The Concept of Enabling

Rule #1 "Don't Talk" _ We all see it, we all smell it, and we all know its there! But no one dare talk about it. Maybe it will go away if we ignore it and if we are good enough.

Rule #2 "Don't Feel" _ Feelings sometimes lead to thoughts, and thinking can lead to a need for change. In the alcoholic family, the process of change is blocked through a denial of feelings. The last thing an officer wants is confrontation by his family or boss. The officer begins to dread coming home at night, as all that is waiting are accusations of infidelity from the spouse, and demands on their time from the children. These demands keep them away from what becomes compulsively the most relieving activity of their life - and that is "Choir Practice."

Rule #3 "Don't Trust" _ Distrust is a way of life and a matter of survival for those in the law enforcement profession. Many officers state that the only people you can trust are cops. All of the many trust issues become magnified in the substance abusing officer's family. Many promises are made only to be broken the next day. This behavior follows from the officer to his or her children when they realize they can't trust their parent and maybe because of their parent's profession, they can't always trust their friends at school.

It's Time To Make A Change = It's Time For Treatment

There are some obstacles to overcome. The first is fear. What if someone finds out I'm going for treatment? The next obstacle to overcome is the denial system on everyone's part. It is necessary not only to treat the substance abusing officer but the whole family. Treating the officer alone would be like taking a piece from a puzzle, changing the shape of that piece, and then trying to replace that changed piece in the same puzzle; it won't work. It is misleading to think that things will be perfect if and when the alcoholic stops drinking. Recovery from alcoholism is a long haul project with many ups and downs. AA and other 12-step programs say the process never ends. They encourage alcoholics to make a lifetime commitment to a recovery program.

Information for this article was taken from "I Love a Cop" by Ellen Kirschman, Ph.D and "Law Enforcement Families - Issues and Answers" an FBI Publication.

Choir Practice And Its Effects On The Law Enforcement Family

The story begins at the end of the midnight shift. The guys were stopping by McGee's Bar to unwind and deal with the stress of the day and Mike wasn't about to miss out. I'll just have a couple of beers. It can't hurt. But a couple turned into six and I found myself pulled over to the side of the road with blue lights flashing in my rearview. As the officer from the next county walked up to my car, I flashed my badge out the driver's side window. The officer replied, "Have you been drinking tonight?" I answered, "I just got off at midnight and had a few brews with the guys." He took my ID and asked me to step from the car. I opened the door and nearly fell out onto the road. He asked me to walk the line and then asked me to be seated in my car as he took my keys. Back to his car he went with my keys and ID in hand. The next thing I see is the overnight Watch Commander from my Department pulling up and asked me to get in his car. He explained that he was taking me to our DUI testing office and my car would be towed to the office. That night I blew a .20 and soon realized I needed help with my problem. This was my second time and my last chance!

"Alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychological, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifest- ations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by continuous or periodic: impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, and use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortion in thinking, most notably denial."

How can officers, knowing and seeing on a daily basis what alcohol does to some of the citizens they serve and protect, continue to drink knowing the dangers of alcohol. Mike's story is not unique. Most people would conclude that the law enforcement occupation involves significant stress. Some officers describe it as "periods of boredom mixed with moments of sheer terror." Both police administrators and police union officials, not to mention the officers and their families, acknowledge that police officers experience high rates of heart disease, and other stress-related health problems, in addition to marital and relationship difficulties, depression and suicide, and, of course, alcoholism, more than other professions.

Alcoholism and associated addictions are prevalent in police departments and law enforcement agencies of every size and type. The first thing an officer must do is admit there is a problem. A major barrier to recognition of the problem as well as to entering treatment is denial, which can take many forms and may be reinforced by forces that apart from the officer's own denial. Related to the issue of denial is the question of trust and confidentiality. Denial is a particularly handy defense mechanism that allows people to believe that they do not in fact have a problem. Denial is also a major characteristic of the disease of addiction, and is both logical and to be expected. Denial may be shared by family members and co-workers, usually for different reasons. Some of the myths and realities are as follows:

Myth: Once an alcoholic, always and alcoholic.

Reality: Alcoholism is a disease for which recovery is guaranteed if the alcoholic begins and sticks with a recovery program. If not, what's guaranteed is a premature death.

Myth: All alcoholics are skid row drunks.

Reality: Many alcoholics hold high-level jobs and function well at work for years before their performance is noticeably affected by drinking.

Myth: Alcoholics drink every day.

Reality: Alcohol abuse patterns vary. Some people daily, and others only on weekends.

Myth: If an alcoholic can stop drinking, he or she doesn't have a problem.

Reality: Abstinence is not a sign that someone is free of alcoholism. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) calls these abstainers "dry drunks" because they have no real understanding of their condition, no new ways to cope, and are almost certain to "fall off the wagon."

The Concept of Enabling

Rule #1 "Don't Talk" _ We all see it, we all smell it, and we all know its there! But no one dare talk about it. Maybe it will go away if we ignore it and if we are good enough.

Rule #2 "Don't Feel" _ Feelings sometimes lead to thoughts, and thinking can lead to a need for change. In the alcoholic family, the process of change is blocked through a denial of feelings. The last thing an officer wants is confrontation by his family or boss. The officer begins to dread coming home at night, as all that is waiting are accusations of infidelity from the spouse, and demands on their time from the children. These demands keep them away from what becomes compulsively the most relieving activity of their life - and that is "Choir Practice."

Rule #3 "Don't Trust" _ Distrust is a way of life and a matter of survival for those in the law enforcement profession. Many officers state that the only people you can trust are cops. All of the many trust issues become magnified in the substance abusing officer's family. Many promises are made only to be broken the next day. This behavior follows from the officer to his or her children when they realize they can't trust their parent and maybe because of their parent's profession, they can't always trust their friends at school.

It's Time To Make A Change = It's Time For Treatment

There are some obstacles to overcome. The first is fear. What if someone finds out I'm going for treatment? The next obstacle to overcome is the denial system on everyone's part. It is necessary not only to treat the substance abusing officer but the whole family. Treating the officer alone would be like taking a piece from a puzzle, changing the shape of that piece, and then trying to replace that changed piece in the same puzzle; it won't work. It is misleading to think that things will be perfect if and when the alcoholic stops drinking. Recovery from alcoholism is a long haul project with many ups and downs. AA and other 12-step programs say the process never ends. They encourage alcoholics to make a lifetime commitment to a recovery program.

Information for this article was taken from "I Love a Cop" by Ellen Kirschman, Ph.D and "Law Enforcement Families - Issues and Answers" an FBI Publication.



all the reposts dont change a thign you are a attention seeking little pothead, no one cares anymore this has been dead since november go hit the bong