No matter what walk of life we come from or where we currently are in our life journey, stress and peers can influence us down a life of addiction to drugs and alcohol. Federal and government employees are no exception to this. With high levels of stress ever present in the workplace these days, employees may look to drugs or alcohol as a means to decompress or find solitude away from the constant bombardment of issues encountered on a daily basis. Fortunately, there are federal employee rehab options and rehab for government workers. Because nobody is immune to these vices, it is important to know what options are available for treatment and recovery.
There are many different types of federal employees, all having unique job roles that involve experiencing different levels of stress from different sources. Federal employee alcohol policy is such that employees should not consume or possess alcohol while on duty or on federal premises, but this does not always stop it from happening. Some of the things experienced while on the job can be difficult to cope with, and therefore leave these employees exploring outlets such as drugs and alcohol to help manage the emotional distress that can be caused, leading to addiction. Some of these types of workers include the following:
Emergency Workers
First responders, including firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and paramedics are the first people to show up to an emergency scene. From victims of gunfire to horrific motorcycle accidents, these emergency workers are exposed to situations that the average person is not, and there is only so much training one can undergo in preparation for these encounters. Between these scenes and the constant demands of the job over long hours, some take up drugs and alcohol that turns into an addiction that can affect not only their job performance, but their lives as a whole.
Military Members
The biggest subset of federal individuals needing help, military members, can experience extreme environments where their literal lives are put on the line each day and night. The conditions military personnel can encounter overseas, both on base and in the field, can sometimes be hostile. Couple this with the emotional turmoil that can come as a result of taking another human’s life or seeing the like around them more frequently than the average person, and this can drive these individuals to turn to drugs and alcohol as an escape from their own thoughts once they return home. It is so crucial to provide options for military members, whether it is from traditional inpatient rehab or seeking holistic rehab benefits.
Registered Nurses
Life as a registered nurse can consist of long hours and thankless patient encounters. It is a fast-paced job that requires a person’s full attention. This alone can cause stress and strain on the mind and body, and that stress and strain is only exacerbated by they types of scenes they see as new patients roll into their care. Registered nurses are usually around highly addictive prescription medications while on the clock, and accumulated stressors over long hours with little sleep can sometimes cause these nurses to pick up bad habits with these drugs. It is important that nurses are aware that help is available if they find themselves drawn to or taken over by any sort of these drugs, as it can have a detrimental effect on their patient care, self care, and affect their relationships with loved ones.
What is the Success Rate of People Who Go to Rehab?
Overall, success rates of those who go to rehab for the most common addictions tend to be north of 85% after being discharged. Different rehab methods see more success than others, and figuring out what type of rehab treatment method, such as rehab within a residential treatment facility, is right for an individual’s needs can influence what success will look like after the rehab period ends.
Why is Rehab Important for Firefighters?
Rehab is an essential function of keeping firefighters and their team members safe and able to perform at their best while on the job and in their personal lives. The things a firefighter can experience during everyday calls or emergency situations can cause both immediate and lingering effects to mental and physical health. Going through the appropriate type of rehab a firefighter needs will keep them safer, and keep everyone else around them safe at the same time.
Can Military Personnel Take Leave for Rehab?
Preauthorization for rehab treatment must be obtained before active military personnel can take leave to undergo rehab. TRICARE will help cover the cost of inpatient rehab, and is something military personnel should familiarize themselves with if considering seeking treatment for their drug or alcohol addiction. Those that fail to seek help before it is too late risk ejection without an honorable discharge.
Does the Federal Government Pay for My Rehab Needs?
Federal government employees will have insurance coverage specifically for their needs, and a portion of rehab treatment can be covered under these programs. For example, FMLA alcohol treatment can be covered when treatment is sought by a healthcare provider approved by the insurance provider.
Providing the proper care for government employees to get the rehab help they need to recover from an alcohol or drug addiction is imperative to keeping our society moving in a positive direction. Government employees can many times be under a lot of pressure, whether it be from high-risk jobs or rolling out a major bill to help citizens. Rehab is something that is available to get the lives of employees back on track, and Stillwater Behavioral Health is here to help.
