Concerns About Alcohol or Substance Use

• Officers who are concerned about their own alcohol or substance use
• Officers who feel their drinking has increased as a way of coping
• Officers referred to OH for alcohol or substance concerns
• Supervisors or colleagues who are concerned about someone and want to understand what support exists

1. 1

   Acknowledge the concern — without shame

   Policing culture has historically normalised heavy drinking and made it hard to acknowledge problems. But alcohol dependence and drug use are health conditions, not character flaws. Recognising that something has changed — that you are drinking to sleep, to cope, or because you feel you cannot stop — is not failure. It is the beginning of recovery.

2. 2

   Seek confidential occupational health support

   OH services are confidential. You can self-refer and discuss alcohol or substance concerns without that information automatically being disclosed to management. OH can assess your situation, provide support, and refer you to specialist NHS services or private treatment depending on what is needed and available.

3. 3

   Talk to your GP

   Your GP can assess the severity of any physical dependence, which is clinically important — withdrawal from alcohol can be medically serious if dependence is significant. Your GP can prescribe medications to support safe withdrawal and refer to NHS alcohol services. Everything you tell your GP is confidential.

4. 4

   Understand your treatment options

   NHS treatment ranges from brief interventions through to community alcohol services and inpatient detoxification. Police Care UK can provide specialist support. Talk to FRANK provides free, confidential information about all substances.

5. 5

   Contact your Federation rep

   If you are referred to OH or management becomes aware of a concern, your Federation rep should be your first call. They can ensure the process is handled appropriately, that support is offered before discipline is considered, and that your rights are protected throughout.

6. 6

   Be honest with OH about treatment — it matters

   Officers sometimes fear that disclosing a substance concern will end their career. In most cases — particularly for first disclosures where the officer is seeking help proactively — the approach is supportive rather than disciplinary. Concealment that is later discovered is much more likely to have career consequences than voluntary disclosure and engagement with treatment.

• Waiting until a crisis — an arrest, an incident at work, or a relationship breakdown — before seeking help
• Attempting unsupported detoxification from alcohol if dependence is significant — this can be medically dangerous
• Believing you can manage it yourself through willpower without addressing the underlying causes
• Not being honest with OH or your GP, which prevents them from providing appropriate support
• Assuming that asking for help means the end of your career — it very often does not

Seek urgent medical help if you are physically dependent on alcohol and want to stop — do not attempt unsupported withdrawal without medical advice. If you are in a mental health crisis, call Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7), text BLUELIGHT to 85258 (Blue Light Programme, 24/7), or call 999.