ties] to be in conflict with the community and regards himself to be a pariah,” Westley said in a study of police behavior.
A report published in The Journal of Law Enforcement found external factors, such as the attitude of the general public, affect officers physically and emotionally.
Handling such criticism can be difficult. Many officers find healthy ways to combat stress, such as running or lifting weights. Others turn to drugs or alcohol.
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The rigors of the job contribute to substance abuse. These drugs often include marijuana, benzodiazepines and methamphetamine. However, the most popular drugs of abuse are alcohol and opioids.
Alcohol consumption is common among law enforcement officers. They consume alcohol to relax, socialize or alleviate a physical pain or traumatizing memory. This often leads to alcoholism.
Police officers consume alcohol at a rate double that of the general population, according to a report by The Journal of Law Enforcement. In addition, 15 percent of officers who attempted suicide had a history of alcohol abuse.
A 2004 study published in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin identified four factors that lead to alcohol abuse among law enforcement employees:
A 2011 study published in The American Journal on Addictions surveyed more than 700 officers and found 18.1 percent of male officers and 15.9 percent of female officers reported experiencing adverse consequences from alcohol use. Nearly 8 percent of the officers met criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence.
Alcohol consumption can disrupt sleeping patterns and lead to an unproductive workday. This comes in addition to other alcohol-related consequences, including health problems and strained relationships.
For years, alcohol was the most abused substance among police. Today, it is painkillers.
Police officers hurt on the job are often prescribed pain medications. Tim Sparr, a former officer with the Kingman Police Department in Arizona, was fired in 2009 after driving under the influence of a drug. He was addicted to oxycodone.
“The medication pretty much took control of my life,” he told The Kingman Daily Miner.
Sean Riley, the founder of Safe Call Now, a 24-hour crisis referral service for law enforcement, says it’s normal for officers to use prescription drugs. He knew a veteran officer addicted to pain medications after a car accident.
The officer battled addiction for 12 years.
“This officer was prescribed lethal doses of methadone just to function and was on the job working,” Riley wrote in Law Enforcement Today. “The officer did not or could not have the ability to stop. He had no choice.”
He says the scenario is common in the profession.
Athletes use steroids to gain a competitive edge. Police officers use the drugs to gain an advantage of their own.
Many street officers find themselves vulnerable to bigger, stronger suspects. If a suspect resists arrest, a smaller officer may have difficulty apprehending them. Some officers turn to steroids to gain an advantage in these situations.
Steroid use among law enforcement officers has become popular. Gene Sanders, a Spokane, Washington, police psychologist, believes up to 25 percent of law enforcement personnel in urban settings use anabolic steroids.
While steroids may help police officers build muscles and achieve a more intimidating appearance, these drugs compromise their health. Steroid use has been linked to high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems and aggressive behavior.
Drug or alcohol abuse changes behaviors, which can affect job performance. Officers struggling with addiction may show signs of substance abuse, including:
Officers with substance use disorders may also show signs of withdrawal. These are debilitating symptoms that can lead to a host of consequences.
Signs of withdrawal vary by substance, though most symptoms include:
Officers should never deal with these symptoms on their own. This could worsen their health and lead to seizure, coma or death. It is impor