Admitting you have a problem has to be the first step toward fixing it

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Addictions and destructive life styles we see everyday. Lots of help out there, if you choose to seek it. There truly are people that get adversely affected by some of the trauma we deal with. With that said, better than nine out of ten of us make
it through our careers without leaning on alcohol or drugs. So why is that? Could it be that the vast majority of us have the ability to self correct when we sense we are veering off the right path. Do we just have more self pride and are more caring of the friends and love ones we would hurt? What makes us the guy that finds a wallet with money in it and returns it to the owner, while others take the money? Your core values have to be strong and uncompromising.....doing the right thing, even when no one is looking. There are friends, family, church, other deputies, health care experts, and even total strangers willing to help, if you give them a chance. This is just a job! There are many jobs out there. There is nothing weak about realizing that you just can't take the crap you have to deal with and see in this job. It takes a person with a very strong constitution and not just anybody can do it. Nobody can help, if you arent ready and willing to receive it. That has to be the first step towards fixing things. Most people learn this lesson, only after some very bad things have happened and its to late to save your job, marriage, etc. Don't be that guy, get some help.

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You seem to want to sound sympathetic, however, susceptibility to addiction does not just happen because one lacks a proper moral compass... it is a combination of factors, coupled with a genetic predisposition or weakness to drugs or alcohol... or whatever is done in excess.

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Some of the people I’ve respected the most were the ones who turned in their gear during 1st phase FTO, saying “It’s a lot more than I thought I could handle”. Unfortunately, some went to PCJ!

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The jail gets patrol's rejects. No wonder people are leaving D&C in droves and there is a perpetual staffing shortage.

[Unregistered]

How and why you become addicted has nothing to do with admitting you do and getting help.

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Looks like we have our first one that's in denial folks!

[Unregistered]

Addictions and destructive life styles we see everyday. Lots of help out there, if you choose to seek it. There truly are people that get adversely affected by some of the trauma we deal with. With that said, better than nine out of ten of us make it through our careers without leaning on alcohol or drugs. So why is that? Could it be that the vast majority of us have the ability to self correct when we sense we are veering off the right path. Do we just have more self pride and are more caring of the friends and love ones we would hurt? What makes us the guy that finds a wallet with money in it and returns it to the owner, while others take the money? Your core values have to be strong and uncompromising.....doing the right thing, even when no one is looking.

I heard a story about McLynas returning a wallet to a deputy that left it on the roof of his car, money in it and all. Flew off the roof while driving down the road and McLynas saw it fly off the cruiser's roof and grabbed it. Wallet owner was busted for possession and went to jail. He could have hung the deputy out to dry but chased him down and gave it to him. Any truth to this?

[Unregistered]

How and why you become addicted has nothing to do with admitting you do and getting help.

Opinions are like ***holes... so how about ya keep your opinion to yourself, a$$hole.

[Unregistered]

You seem to want to sound sympathetic, however, susceptibility to addiction does not just happen because one lacks a proper moral compass... it is a combination of factors, coupled with a genetic predisposition or weakness to drugs or alcohol... or whatever is done in excess.

Addiction can be fueled by a psychological disposition toward addiction and/or physical addictions.

Physical addictions result from physiologic or genetic changes resulting from the use of certain substances. Opioid use causes physical changes in the brain of the user. And nothing can change that. Lack of opioids results physical discomfort. That is why drug replacement therapy is used for opioid addictions. The same results occur with extreme alcohol use ans some other drugs, including nicotine and THP.

There is also usually psychological addiction or dependence. The chronic smoker who quits is likely to substitute some other chronic behavior for the lack of smoking, such as overeating. Now, while there is not much a person can do to change the physical changes caused by addictive behavior, realization that a person has a predisposition to addictive behavior can be recognized, by those possessing it, and dealt with.

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The stress of the job can be too much for some people. They often turn to alcohol, booze and drugs to mask problems which do not go away. They often fail to recognize there they have substance abuse problems until something happens, can be criminal, domestic or a career ender such as DUI. Which means the only way they will get help is if the spouse files a complaint or a co-worker has an informal meeting with the supervisor to discuss treatment options. If one of these does not happen, the substance abuser is a train wreck waiting to happen, maybe even taking others down with them.