The holidays can be a sensitive and often unpredictable time for families, especially those with veterans. When spending the holidays with a veteran, several different things should be considered when they're around. Holiday celebrations and spending time with family members can be incredibly triggering and overwhelming for veterans' mental health [...]
The life of a first responder is characterized by demanding and unpredictable circumstances and challenges, personal and work-related. Holidays for first responders often result in an increased work schedule, heightened stress, and intense emotions. As a public safety professional, finding time to spend with your family can be challenging, especially [...]
Drug and alcohol rehab centers offer various treatment methods tailored to the unique needs of active military members and veterans. Rehab treatment methods such as physical rehabilitation, different behavioral therapies, and bilateral stimulation can help military members better manage stress and anxiety, cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and learn [...]
Veterans returning home, especially those who have participated in combat, have witnessed violence and killing, and have enlisted for more than one tour, are at greater risk of developing PTSD and alcoholism (AUD). According to the National Center for PTSD (part of the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs), those who [...]
First responders are true heroes, risking their lives to keep our communities safe. First responders, such as police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), face unique challenges on the job. The physical and mental strain of first responders' responsibilities can significantly affect them in more ways than one. First [...]
The shame associated with addiction is one of the many reasons people, especially military service members, refuse to seek treatment. Constant exposure to combat and other traumatic events often contributes to developing substance use disorders (SUDs). Many service members turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with symptoms of post-traumatic [...]
Suicide among active military personnel and veterans is a serious ongoing problem that the Department of Defense and other agencies are working to address. Suicide is considered a "wicked problem." Wicked does not mean evil; it means a problem with many interconnected issues and multiple layers, the solution to which [...]
Active duty service members (ADSMs) and military veterans face unique situations and health issues due to their occupation. Avoiding trauma in the military is, unfortunately, inevitable. As a military member, it's a matter of learning how to deal with trauma rather than prevent it. While many active and retired service [...]
Entering rehab can be uncomfortable and often humiliating for someone struggling with an alcohol or drug addiction. First responders often wrestle with the idea of treatment and admitting themselves due to their occupation. The stigma surrounding rehab and first responders is one of the main reasons public health workers fail [...]
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) also emphasizes the role of behavior in maintaining positive, healthy patterns. Our emotions influence our thoughts, just as our thoughts influence our behaviors—and vice versa. Through CBT, patients learn to identify and change the maladaptive behaviors contributing to their negative patterns. This is especially helpful for [...]
