As a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) and someone with firsthand experience in the first responder world, I recognize how substance use disorders (SUDs) can quietly impact those who serve, often in silence, and often without support.
The culture of strength, control, and silence can make it hard for first responders to reach out for help. But reaching out isn't weakness. It's strategy. It's survival.

High Risk, High Silence

First responders face unique exposures to trauma, stress, and loss. These experiences can lead to increased risk of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use, especially when coping skills are limited by stigma or institutional pressure to "suck it up."
For many, alcohol or substance use starts as a coping tool. Over time, it may become a source of shame, secrecy, and spiraling consequences. But help is possible, and recovery is real.

Yes, the Goal Is Abstinence

Let me be clear: the ultimate goal in treatment is abstinence. But getting there doesn’t always follow a straight path. Clients may arrive at different stages of readiness. My role isn’t to shame or scare someone into change, it’s to meet them where they are and help them move forward, one honest step at a time.
Harm reduction isn’t about enabling, it’s about protecting life and dignity until someone is ready and able for abstinence. It’s about creating a therapeutic space where people feel safe enough to keep showing up.

Co-Occurring Disorders Are Common

Depression, anxiety, and trauma frequently accompany SUD. Addressing substance use in isolation often misses the bigger picture. A trauma-informed approach looks at what’s underneath the use, not just the behavior itself. Healing means treating both the pain and the patterns.

Strategize Your Success

At Tactical Counseling, I bring both clinical knowledge and cultural awareness to my work with first responders. I understand the fear of being judged, misunderstood, or reported. This is a confidential space to regroup, recover, and reclaim your path, whether you’re taking the first step or trying again after a relapse.
Recovery isn’t about perfection. It’s about direction. And you don’t have to walk it alone.

Resources for Further Reading:

• • SAMHSA's Working Definition of Recovery - SAMHSA
• • Substance Use Disorders in First Responders - NAADAC
• • UT Health Houston Heroes

Post by Matt Short

Tags: SAMHSA, substance use disorder, first responder culture, addiction, recovery, tactical counseling, stigma