Retreating from Anger: Releasing Attachments
Attachment means “I cannot do without it,” or, in the case of human relationships, “I cannot do without you.” Attachment may lead to dependence, craving, clinging, fear of loss or change, or anxiety leading one to attempt to possess, control or have dominance of our beliefs over another human being.
Stress: Friend or Foe?
In the October 2015 Sheriff’s chaplain meeting, the chaplains had a presentation on “Stress: Friend or Foe?” In this session, we learned how stress affects the body — both physically and mentally — in several different ways. Stress can also affect your families. Law enforcement has a high divorce rate. As deputies, you have probably had some training sessions on stress and how to deal with it in healthy ways.
A Family Problem
When there is an alcoholic in the family, it affects the entire family. It ranges from being afraid to attend social gatherings and weddings because the alcohol will be free-flowing to dreading the holiday season because many celebrations include alcohol. Is anyone counting the drinks that the problem drinker has consumed? Does the family have an exit strategy? How long can the family endure this alcohol-induced dance to hide the fact that their loved one is an alcoholic?
Two Times and You’re Out!
As I spread the word about drinking and driving, I often wonder who or how many people are truly listening. Two times and you’re out is the rule, so why do personnel seem to find themselves in trouble? We have many options available: a designated driver, Uber or a cab; you can pace yourself and limit the amount you drink; or simply not drink at all.
DIS And Critical Incident Responses: “Strange” But Normal
Deputy-involved shooting (DIS) debriefs and other critical incident (CI) debriefs are not therapy. They are simply an extension of normal operational or tactical debriefing, where performance is reviewed and discussed with an emphasis on understanding and learning from what happened. In the case of psychological debriefing, it’s all about understanding the behavioral science of the “strange” but normal reactions that healthy, highly functioning human beings often have to life-and-death events.
It Can’t Happen To Me
It can’t happen to me” is the phrase that helps us continue to do things that we know we should not do. This includes drinking more than we should, and with all of the resources that we have, why do employees of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department continue to get arrested for alcohol- and drug-related incidents?