The Best of 2017: Top Recovery Tips

In 2017, firefighters in recovery learned quite a bit about how to create a solid foundation for themselves in sobriety. Learning how to cope with stressors without the use of drugs and alcohol is just the first step; beyond that, there is a whole world of relearning how to communicate, prioritize self-care, and build healthy relationships that will sustain a long life in recovery.

Here are some of the best posts we offered this year with an eye toward making it easier for firefighters who are doing the work to get and stay clean and sober:

• Do your best to fix what you can. Addiction means making mistakes that impact important relationships, but in recovery, we have the opportunity — and maybe the obligation — to try to repair that whenever possible. In 5 Tips for Making Amends with Friends and Family after Addiction, we highlighted some ways to make the processing of repairing bonds more effective in recovery, including knowing when to let go and move on.
• Know that stigma is real and problematic. It is well known that there is stigma in most firehouses when it comes to mental health and addiction disorders. As a result, rather than potentially put their careers at risk, many who are in crisis feel that there is no option to connect with treatment. In Addiction Stigma in the Firehouse: 5 Ways to Break the Stereotypes, we talked about some of the ways that firefighters both in and out of recovery can begin to break down those stigmas and help people who need to get treatment.
• Helping others can improve your own path in recovery. In Giving Back: Can Firefighters in Recovery Boost Mental Health through Volunteer Work?, we highlighted some of the benefits of volunteering in the community and offered a few different ways to be of service to the people in your community beyond the limitations of the job.
• Connecting with the people you work with can improve your mental health as well as your functionality on the job. In Building up the Brotherhood: 5 Ways to Increase Camaraderie and Morale at the Firehouse, we highlighted a few simple ways to improve relationships in the firehouse and strengthen bonds at work.

Top Tip of 2017: Connect with Treatment Services You Need

If you are struggling with symptoms related to trauma and/or a substance abuse problem, American Addiction Centers offers a First Responder Lifeline Program that can make a difference. Our first responder-focused rehab program is designed for firefighters and other first responders who share a unique experience set that often includes significant trauma. This is addressed through comprehensive treatment that is:

• CARF-accredited
• Provided by therapists and a treatment team who are trained to work with first responders
• Defined by motivational and interactive therapies
• Focused on supporting the family through education and therapy
• Backed by a guarantee
• Helpful in the reintegration process when it is time to return to work

Is the First Responder Lifeline Program a good fit for you and your loved ones? Contact us at American Addiction Centers today at (866) 53-SOBER to learn more about how we can help you to build a strong foundation in your recovery.