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ERIC Number: ED303745
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1989-Mar
Pages: 16
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Combat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Alcoholism, and the Police Officer.
Machell, David F.
This report describes the psychological profile of a police officer who suffers from three dimensions of emotional complication: combat post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), alcoholism, and role immersion. Each of the three dimensions is discussed separately, followed by a discussion of their interaction and unification. It is noted that alcohol and other drugs can suppress the symptomatology of CPTSD for many years and that when a person stops using drugs, he/she may experience CPTSD most intensely. CPTSD is defined and symptoms of the disorder are listed. Reasons why CPTSD victims may be attracted to police work are considered. Alcoholism and some behavioral compensation expressions used by alcoholics are discussed. The creation of role immersion or professional protective emotional suppression in the police officer is explained. Seven dimensions of professional protective emotional suppression are described. The interaction of CPTSD, alcoholism, and role immersion in the police officer is discussed. The report concludes with a set of recommendations for treating the alcoholic police officer. (NB)
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A