Law Enforcement Officers
The law enforcement officer recovery track at the Florida Recovery Center was developed with input from law enforcement personnel to provide police officer addiction treatment. It offers stabilization, evaluation, detoxification, rehabilitation, therapy and continuing care services to law enforcement officers with alcohol or other drug problems.
Law enforcement professionals and first responders can have alcohol and drug problems just like anyone else. Professional literature as well as our real life experience suggests that law enforcement professionals are no more immune than the general population to problems with addictive substances. When these problems progress to a level that threatens the officers’ health, career and family, they deserve the opportunity to get help.
Three Phases of LEO Track at Florida Recovery Center
Phase 1: Stabilization and evaluation, outpatient and inpatient stabilization services specific to individual circumstances and management of co-occurring medical issues like anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Phase 2: Intensive rehab programming in a day-treatment setting with community living, profession-specific therapy groups, counseling, education, relapse prevention training, family involvement and return-to work-planning.
Phase 3: Long-term, professionally delivered support services, monitoring and advocacy.
Signs of a Problem
Police officer addicts can display any of these symptoms, but that alone is not enough to make a diagnosis. However, several of these issues simultaneously may suggest that an evaluation by a qualified professional is necessary.
- Uncharacteristic performance problems
- Increased absenteeism
- Anger management issues
- Partners and family members express concern
- Continued substance use despite negative consequences
- Efforts to cut down or quit have failed
- Excessive use of pain medication
- Family conflict around drinking or pill use
Special Considerations
Law enforcement officers share unique circumstances not typically experienced by the general public, including high stress coupled with tremendous responsibility, violence, dangerous situations and exposure to trauma. Unfortunately the same skills and adaptability that enable officers and agents to excel in their jobs can be detrimental to recovery for those individuals suffering from addiction. They need treatment. Our approach recognizes the need for high levels of confidentiality, the need to address shame, anger, PTSD and other issues prevalent in our patients who come from a law enforcement background.
Who We Are
As a member of the Florida Recovery Center team, Rick Wagner helps participants move from their work environments through the LEO recovery track and back to their jobs after successful completion. Wagner assists program participants with their unique professional requirements. He has 18 years of on-the-street experience as the director of the crisis transportation service, a New Orleans police department program responding to psychiatric and substance abuse crises. Additionally, he has acquired emergency room proficiencies that give him an unprecedented understanding of the daily pressures experienced by law enforcement officers and public safety personnel. He also is a qualified expert witness for mental health and substance abuse cases as they relate to law enforcement procedures.
For more information about the LEO recovery track, please call 352.265-4FRC(4372).