Why Attend a First Responders Treatment Program in Florida

The job of a first responder is no easy task. You’re putting your life on the line to save the lives of others. You get called a hero even though you don’t ask to be. You do a job that makes a difference in so many people’s lives every day. The pressure of this responsibility can mount. And for some, drug and/or alcohol abuse become a problem. Perhaps to numb the feelings of the pressure or for other reasons unknown.

At River Oaks Treatment Center, an American Addiction Centers’ treatment facility, we have a First Responders & Veterans program that is specially designed for military veterans and first responders.

It’s common for first responders to deal with depression. Mild depression was the most common type amongst an overall 6.8% of depression reported in a case-control study of EMS professionals. It’s also been reported that a number of first responders face post-traumatic stress disorder and stress symptoms. Additionally, research suggests that EMS personnel may be more likely to experience suicidal ideation or actually attempt suicide when compared to the general population. It’s clear that the field is facing some challenges, but what River Oaks offers are solutions.

Benefits of attending a specialized program for first responders:

• They provide many levels of care, including intensive outpatient program, inpatient rehabilitation, residential treatment, medical detox, and transitional sober living upon completion of a program if you choose to do so.
• Treatment program is tailored to your unique needs.
• And if it’s part of your treatment program, access to holistic therapies, such as Biosound chair, massages, and expressive art and music therapy.

Because the program seeks to empower first responders, and veterans alike, River Oaks helps them to rebuild their lives from the trauma they’ve experienced.

Topics covered include:

• Characters and values.
• Post-traumatic responses.
• First responder and military culture.
• Impact of stress.
• Grief & loss.
• Relapse prevention.
• Cognitive distortions.
• Relationships & family.

Overall, the program helps first responders by  guiding them through methods to overcome compassion fatigue and to replace the emotions that they’re holding onto with healthy coping mechanisms.

Individuals will have the opportunity to travel to sunny Florida right in Riverview where River Oaks is located. This will give patients, if permissible by their healthcare professionals, the ability to enjoy three of the beaches near the facility—Gardenville Beach, Apollo Beach, and Bahia Beach.

The needs of first responders is different from others who may be struggling with substance abuse and have found the need to enter into treatment. River Oaks Treatment Center knows how to approach those needs in order to provide a safe space for those working through the process of battling their addiction to drugs or alcohol while working in the field that requires them to save lives. A job that, inevitably, requires them to be a hero.

River Oaks Treatment Center is here to help those battling with a substance use disorder or an alcohol use disorder to address the addictions in the most appropriate and effective way based on their treatment program, which is tailored to their specific needs. In the end, we want to help those in need reach long-term sobriety.