A RECOVERY PROGRAM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 80
the good old boys used to refer to going out for drinks after work as
choir practice.
Additionally, cops are so focused on helping everybody else that
they often neglect themselves. It’s a common theme among law
enforcement officers that they are typically the last ones to ask for
help. It has gotten better, but you also worry about the stigma of
admitting you need help.
We have found, however, reducing the stigma has had a real positive result. And a way to do that is to give you a place to go where you
are with your own brothers and sisters in public safety. The one
important thing is to know that you are not alone. Other officers and
first responders are struggling with similar issues. It takes a tremendous amount of courage to ask for help, but it can be very life-changing.
With the Bottles and Badges program, we have created a culture
that facilitates treatment, healing and beating the addictions. It
makes use of the basic 12-step recovery plan.
One of the benefits to having a meeting attended only by first
responders is that it implies a sense of anonymity and confidentiality.
We understand that you might be scared to death when you walk
into a roomful of strangers. But when you are with other first responders – and only first responders – it becomes apparent very quickly
that you are not unique in your profession or with addiction. And it
promotes the opportunity to talk about the struggles and challenges
you face in your day-to-day life that a meeting open to the general
public would not be able to handle.
Addiction is the toughest adversary any cop will ever face. But don’t
be afraid. When you are on a call and you realize you need help handling the situation, you call for back-up. This is why we have the Bottles and Badges meetings. The situation is out of control, so don’t be
afraid to call for back-up.
We would love to have at least every county host a Bottles and
Badges meeting. Cop 2 Cop has been a longtime advocate of such
meetings, and that has helped lead to what we are doing. Once the
word gets around about the meeting in Mercer County, we will see
more and more first responders show up. We know it’s needed. d
Jim Schneider is a retired Lieutenant who served 30 years with the
Westfield Police Department and as a member of Westfield Local
90. He served four years active in the U.S. Army as a Military Police
Officer. He spent two years working for the Cop 2 Cop hotline
before coming to Princeton House, where he currently works as
Peer Support Specialist with first responder treatment services. He
has also helped establish the Bottles and Badges program at
Princeton House. He personally has been involved in addiction
recovery for more than 20 years.
Dr. Michael Bizzarro, a lifelong resident of New Jersey, received his
Master’s Degree in Social Work from Rutgers University and his
Ph.D in Clinical Social Work from the Institute for Clinical Social
Work in Chicago. Early in his career he served in the U.S. Army
and later as a police officer and Army reservist. He is the director of
clinical services for first responders for Princeton House Behavioral Health. Call 800-242-2500 or email [email protected].
Treating PBA Members and Their Families for Alcoholism, Addiction,
Post-Traumatic Stress, Depression & Anxiety disorders for more than 30 years
Transitions Specializes in treating Police Officers for:
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder • Stress Management • Anger Management • Unresolved Trauma • Eating Disorders
Transitions Recovery Program was conceived and designed by a retired Miami Police Officer
with a passion for helping chemically dependent clients and their families.
Admissions for qualified candidates accepted seven (7) days a week.
Most major insurance accepted and a contracted provider for many Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO’s) and Managed Care Companies.
Rehab programs use a combination of group and individual therapy, education, 12-step meetings and family support.
Patients reside in apartments in a private, upscale gated community located in North Miami Beach, FL. Amenities include deluxe, furnished
apartments, pool, Jacuzzi, tennis courts, and a new high-end gym with a fitness trainer dedicated to police oficers.
Transitions has successfully treated almost 400 NJSPBA members and their families during the past 7 years.
Contact person in New Jersey: Jerry Hartman,
a member of the PBA Peer Assistance Response Team.
Cell: 6