When alcohol becomes the “miracle drug” that takes away the nightmares, the headaches, and the rage… what happens when it stops working?
In this powerful episode of the Blah, Blah, Blah…Something Wellness podcast, host Tami Sharp sits down with Vance Row (retired public safety professional, yoga teacher, and peer recovery specialist) and Officer Mike Martinez (San Diego PD & wellness-unit team member) to talk openly about alcohol, trauma, PTSD, and what real recovery actually looks like for first responders and their families.
From multiple officer-involved shootings and suicidal ideation to first-responder-only treatment, peer support, yoga, and post-traumatic growth, this conversation is raw, honest, and packed with hope—and practical resources.
In this episode:
- How alcohol becomes the “miracle fix”… until it doesn’t
- Cumulative trauma, PTSD, and culture-driven silence
- Functional addiction: thriving at work, collapsing at home
- Getting sober vs. staying sober
- How spouses, partners, and departments can support real recovery
- Resources you can use right now, no matter where you work
About the Guests
Vance Row – Retired police officer/dispatcher, yoga teacher, and Peer Recovery Specialist. Six years sober and dedicated to helping first responders heal.
Officer Mike Martinez – San Diego PD. Survived four OIS incidents, entered first-responder treatment, repaired his family, and now serves on SDPD’s wellness unit while speaking nationwide.
Host: Tami Sharp – Founder of Law Enforcement Coaching and holistic wellness practitioner supporting officers, first responders, and their families.
Resources Mentioned
Crisis Support
COPLINE (24/7 confidential hotline for LE): https://www.copline.org
Treatment & Wellness
- First Responder Wellness: https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com
- Harbor of Grace FR Wellness Center: https://harborofgracerecovery.com/first-responders
- Warriors Heart: https://www.warriorsheart.com
- Institutes of Health – First Responder Institute: https://institutesofhealth.org/first-responder-institute
- Boulder Crest – Struggle Well & Warrior PATHH: https://bouldercrest.org
- Vance Row - 410-726-2469 vancerow@gmail.com
Law Enforcement Coaching
https://lawenforcementcoaching.com
⭐ CALL TO ACTION ⭐
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