Substance Abuse Treatment for Law Enforcement & Police

Law enforcement is among the most demanding professions in the United States. The daily risks and pressures officers in the Portland Police Bureau face can take a significant toll, which can lead to some seeking relief in alcohol and drugs. Unfortunately, the misuse and dependence on substances to manage mental and physical pain can prevent local protectors for fulfilling their duties to the best of their abilities. 

Tree House Recovery is proud to offer confidential addiction treatment specifically for police officers in Portland, Oregon. We also provide resources for police families and peers—so you can support your loved ones as they optimize their mental and physical health and renew their dedication to their careers and community.

Call Our Admissions Team Today

Confidential Addiction Treatment for Police Officers in Portland

Confidential and trustworthy addiction treatment for law enforcement is essential for successful recovery. It’s even more important to choose a rehab that provides peer support and proven therapies designed for the unique challenges police officers face.

At Tree House Recovery PDX, our law enforcement program is led by experienced addiction counselors who understand officers’ unique pressures. Our approach builds resilience, promotes lasting recovery, and fosters a supportive brotherhood that helps officers thrive both on and off duty.

With personalized treatment plans designed to strengthen emotional intelligence and improve physical fitness, we empower officers to become the best version of themselves that are ready to serve their communities and lead healthy, purposeful lives.

Call our admissions team for a fast, free, and fully confidential consultation.

Law Enforcement Program Resources

  • Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
  • Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
  • One-on-One Therapy
  • Peer-Support Therapy
  • Family Therapy
  • Aftercare
  • Return-to-Work Support

Understanding Substance Abuse in Police Officers in Portland

Every day, law enforcement officers face intense stress—from interpersonal conflicts to highly traumatic incidents. Alcohol and opioid are commonly misused in the profession to manage stress, trauma, and pain.1 Some law enforcement substance abuse statistics include 2,3:
30.3 percent graphic

Of police officers binge drank in the past month.

7.8 percent graphic

of first responders met the criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence in 2010.

19 percent graphic

of police officers experience current duty-related PTSD.

Why Police Officers Are at Higher Risk for Substance Abuse

Law enforcement professionals at every level face conflicting demands from their communities. They’re tasked with enforcing the law, protecting public safety, and supporting the well-being of individuals and their environment—all while managing intense social and emotional pressures.

Research shows that many officers turn to alcohol to unwind, relieve stress, or bond with colleagues.4 For some, drinking becomes a way to fit in, build camaraderie, and cope with the unique pressures of the job.4 Unfortunately, substance use can lead to serious personal and professional consequences.

Several factors increase the risk of substance use disorders among law enforcement officers, including:

  • Exposure to traumatic events
  • Constant awareness of potential dangers on the job
  • Easy access to illegal substances
  • Lack of or inadequate sleep
  • Mismanagement of physical pain 1
  • Desire to fit in with peers 4
  • Public unrest and hostility toward the force

When officers, command staff, and families understand these risk factors, they can build stronger prevention and support strategies that align with the real pressures of police work.

Call Our Portland Rehab Now

The Local Landscape for Law Enforcement in Portland

Stigma and a culture of toughness often prevent Portland law enforcement officers from seeking addiction treatment.5 Fear of judgment, career impact, and public hostility create a harmful “code of silence” around mental health.6 Promoting peer support, wellness training, and confidential care are proven elements that help building a healthier, more resilient police force.

Support for Retired or Former Police Officers

Life after the badge can bring unexpected challenges—including struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. Years of exposure to trauma and chronic stress, along with physical injuries sustained in the line of duty, can lead to mismanaged coping strategies with addictive medications and alcohol. 

Leaving active service also means losing the daily camaraderie and support of fellow officers, which can make recovery feel even harder. 

Choosing an intensive outpatient program in Portland that honors your service and addresses addiction can help you rebuild purpose, strength, and well-being in this new chapter of life.

Evidence-Based Rehab for Police Officers

For officers looking for a safe, supportive place to build life skills and avoid relapse, Tree House Recovery offers a confidential three- to five-month outpatient rehab program for law enforcement in Portland, Oregon. We provide a strong sober community with mentors that faced similar life-experiences and struggles with addiction that help heal the mental and physical wounds sustained over years of service. 

Our structured program engages clients in team-building activities and individualized therapies that address the root causes of addiction while fostering new, healthy relationships.

Some of the therapies used to treat law enforcement at our rehab in Portland include:

  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Teaches practical coping skills for managing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stress, and cravings by helping officers identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors connected to addiction.
  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): Combines CBT with mindfulness practices to help officers become more aware of their thoughts and feelings without judgment to encourage and support emotional balance and resilience.
  • Fitness Therapy: Incorporates physical activity to help manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce stress, and improve mood while rebuilding healthy routines.
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT supports officers in facing difficult thoughts and emotions while encouraging them to take meaningful actions that reflect their core values—an approach that’s key to managing trauma and stress.
  • Peer Support and Group Therapy: Connects officers with peers facing similar challenges, building a supportive brotherhood that fosters accountability and reduces isolation and stigma. 

Our whole-person, holistic approach empowers officers to achieve long-term recovery, strengthen their well-being, and return to service as their best and most capable selves.

Return to Duty for Law Enforcement

For Portland law enforcement, returning to duty often requires completing a fitness-for-duty evaluation and passing a drug test. We specifically designed our PHP program to help you meet these requirements and succeed when you return to work.

Tree House Recovery’s comprehensive approach strengthens officers’ physical, mental, and emotional fitness—essential for thriving in a high-pressure profession. We help:

  • Develop robust relapse prevention strategies
  • Increase emotional intelligence and resilience
  • Optimize physical performance and overall well-being
  • Build ongoing peer support through counseling and group therapy

Our experienced team understands the unique challenges officers face, both on and off the job. With a strong community and targeted programming, Tree House Recovery will support you at every step—so you’re fully prepared to return to service with confidence.

How Police Families Can Support Loved Ones

Addiction doesn’t just affect the individual—it sends ripple effects through families and the entire support system. Law enforcement professionals often face unique stressors that make recovery more complex. Family involvement creates a safer space for healing, strengthens bonds, and builds a foundation for lasting recovery.

Our family program helps police families:

  • Support better treatment outcomes
  • Offer emotional encouragement throughout recovery
  • Rebuild trust and repair relationships
  • Understand the nature of addiction and how it affects behavior
  • Reduce feelings of isolation and combat stigma

For police officers and first responders, involving loved ones in recovery is essential to long-term success.

Support Their Recovery Today with Our Family Program
LEARN MORE

Leadership & Command: Creating a Culture of Support

Officers struggling with drug or alcohol use often hesitate to reach out for help because it could negatively impact their dedication to their careers. As leaders in command, you can change this dynamic by fostering a safe, trusting, and supportive environment that gives officers the privacy and confidentially they need for recovery—ultimately strengthening your department as a whole.

Tree House Recovery’s PHP program helps officers build emotional resilience and physical well-being—empowering them to serve more effectively and sustain longer, healthier careers. Contact our team today to learn how our programs can reduce turnover, protect your department’s investment in its people, and promote a stronger, more resilient police force.

Why Choose Us for Police Rehab in Portland, OR

Tree House Recovery PDX stands apart by providing confidential, evidence-based, and community-driven treatment tailored to law enforcement officers and their families’ unique needs. Our holistic approach helps officers reclaim their health, purpose, and connection—both on and off the job.

Call our admissions team today to learn more about our substance abuse treatment for law enforcement in Portland.

Call (503) 850-2474 Today

Law Enforcement Substance Abuse Resources

First Responder Support Network

First Responder Support Network (FRSN) is a community of first responders helping other first responders and their families recover from traumatic experiences.7 

You can contact FRSN at (415) 721-9789 to find group supported care for post-traumatic stress disorder today.

Responder Life

Founded by law enforcement officers, first responders, and their families, Responder Life is dedicated to helping members of your local police department find confidential resources to help with their careers’ mental, emotional, and social challenges.8

Contact Responders Life at (503) 308-1082 to find local support for mental health challenges you may be experiencing.

Badge of Life

Badge of Life is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the physical and mental health of first responders and their families by connecting them to vital resources and working to reduce the stigma around seeking help.9

Quick Facts and FAQs for Law Enforcement and Rehab

Yes, rehab is confidential for law enforcement, first responders, and everyone who comes to our Portland rehab center.

 

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protects your job if you seek treatment for substance abuse. If you’re eligible, you don’t have to share the specific reason for your leave with your employer.

Call Tree House Recovery’s admissions team today at (503) 850-2474 to verify if you qualify for FMLA.

Federal laws like HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 protect your right to privacy, meaning your department cannot access your treatment information without written consent.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and addiction treatment providers like Tree House Recovery are committed to keeping your treatment confidential and your career secure. If you reach out to Tree House directly, we won’t notify your EAP or department unless you permit us . We can also walk you through the process—helping you understand your rights, explore treatment options, and how we help you protect your job.

If you have questions about privacy or want to get help without involving your department , we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Federal privacy laws protect law enforcement officers who seek addiction treatment by keeping their substance use disorder (SUD) records confidential. The two main laws providing this protection are:

  • 42 CFR Part 2: This federal regulation protects the privacy of anyone in addiction treatment when they inquire about starting their recovery journey. It prohibits the disclosure of any information that would identify a person as having looked for our received treatment without their written consent except in a limited circumstances (medical emergencies, court orders, or crimes committed at the program).
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA): HIPPA provides privacy protections for all medical records, including addiction treatment-related ones.

Rehab is more affordable than you might think. Most people use insurance, EAP benefits, or payment plans. We’ll help you verify coverage and find the best option so cost isn’t a barrier to getting help.

  1. Miller TR, Galvin DM. Assessing and Responding to Substance Misuse in Law Enforcement. 2016. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://law.siu.edu/_common/documents/law-journal/articles-2016/spring-2016/12-miller-sm.pdf. 
  2. First Responders: Behavioral Health Concerns, Emergency Response, and Trauma. SAMHSA. May 2018. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/dtac/supplementalresearchbulletin-firstresponders-may2018.pdf. 
  3. Ballenger JF, Best SR, Metzler TJ, et al. Patterns and Predictors of Alcohol Use in Male and Female Urban Police Officers. Am J Addict. 2011;20(1):21-29. doi:10.1111/j.1521-0391.2010.00092.x
  4. Preventing Suicide Among Law Enforcement Officers: An Issue Brief. Bureau of Justice Assistance. February 2020. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://www.theiacp.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/_NOSI_Issue_Brief_FINAL.pdf. 
  5. Police Chiefs Discuss a Tough Issues: Alcohol and Drug Abuse by Officers. A NewsLetter of the POlice Executive Research Forum. 2012. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://www.policeforum.org/assets/docs/Subject_to_Debate/Debate2012/debate_2012_sepoct.pdf. 
  6. Trautman N. 2000 Conference Materials Legal Officers Section International Assn. of Chiefs of Police. Police Code of Silence Facts Revealed. 2000. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://www.aele.org/loscode2000.html. 
  7. Willenbring M, Pengel M “Mo.” First Responder Support Network. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://www.fmhac.org/uploads/1/2/4/4/124447122/session_4._pengel_ppt._frsn_w2d_xv_2021_ppt.pdf. 
  8. Our Mission. Responder Life. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://responderlife.org/our-mission/. 
  9. Badge of Life. Badge of Life. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://badgeoflife.org/.