![\"drinking](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/policepsychologyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/drinking-cop.png?resize=197%2C151\")
Okay, now what else, I\u2019m still hungry. \u00a0How about those potato chips? \u00a0There less than a third of the bag. \u00a0Let me eat those. \u00a0I\u2019ll keep looking through here. \u00a0Hello, a slice of old pizza! That is a piece of heaven. \u00a0Let me just eat you, you poor little neglected pizza right now. \u00a0I love cold pizza, wait, is that the chicken parm from Tuesday? \u00a0Hell, if someone doesn\u2019t eat that it is going to be bad tomorrow. I could go for some chicken parm, after all my wife is making salmon cakes tonight and I never liked salmon cakes, and I didn\u2019t have much lunch, and man this is good! \u00a0Now where was that chocolate? \u00a0Ahh, I think I see chocolate \u2013 nah, just Cocoa Puffs. \u00a0Well that is chocolate flavored, let me take a handful of that. Wait, there\u2019s the chocolate. Mmm, nothing like the real thing. SLAM. \u00a0The front door opens.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cHi honey, I thought we\u2019d go out for dinner tonight. \u00a0I don\u2019t feel like cooking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYes dear. I\u2019m ready. Let\u2019s go have some dinner\u2026..\u201d \u00a0Despite eating enough calories to choke a hippo, you go and have dinner, and boy do you feel it later that night.<\/span><\/p>\n The joy of bingeing! Four thousand calories and you still aren\u2019t satiated. \u00a0\u201cI drank almost a case and could have kept going.\u201d \u00a0\u201cIf my ATM card wouldn\u2019t have maxed out, I would have lost the farm.\u201d \u00a0\u201cNo, I am not an alcoholic.\u201d \u201cI am not a compulsive gambler.\u201d \u00a0\u201cI am not a pig.\u201d \u00a0\u201cI just go on a binge once in a while. What\u2019s the problem with that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Tell me you haven\u2019t been there with me in one of those areas. \u00a0Or maybe you get hypersexual, bingeing on sex.\u00a0 Sometimes too much, is just not enough. \u00a0Now here\u2019s the secret \u2026 you law enforcement guys and girls are the worst with this (other than police psychologists) but not for the reason you think.<\/span><\/p>\n Law enforcement officers (LEO\u2019s) work in rotating shifts and on the job have \u201cburst stress\u201d or as Sgt. Friday from Dragnet says:\u00a0 \u201cPolice work is hours and hours of boredom surrounded by moments of sheer terror.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Intense, chaotic shifts consisting of high stress encounters mixed with a day of unbearable nothingness can really mess with your dopamine levels. \u00a0LEO\u2019s are not your typical desk jockeys, playing mind-numbing computer games, browsing Facebook and drudging through a day of predictably dry work. Predictability in an officer\u2019s work day is often impossible from the second you walk out the door to the time you return home. \u00a0Now, what does this have to do with dopamine?<\/span><\/p>\n Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that helps regulate movement and emotion and is also linked to the body\u2019s systems of reward and pleasure. \u00a0Dopamine levels play an important role in your daily motivation, focus and learning. The rotating, often irregular schedule of LEO\u2019s throw off the production and uptake of dopamine in the body and contributes to binge behaviors. \u00a0Dopamine kicks in to power you through the moments of terror (or excitement) after a fairly uneventful day. \u00a0Stereotypes of cops drinking coffee and eating donuts <\/span> (or bagels in NY) <\/span>are directly related to those dopamine levels.\u00a0 Struggles with fluctuating dopamine levels lead to increased caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and even drug consumption.<\/span><\/p>\n So what about your wife that says she needs a little retail therapy?\u00a0 Well, there is a some truth to that.\u00a0 Compulsive buying is one way to burn off dopamine.\u00a0 What people don\u2019t realize is you are more likely to be intimate after a day of retail therapy.\u00a0 So stop yelling and enjoy the dopamine increase.\u00a0 Pleasure begets pleasure.\u00a0 How about a little gambling?\u00a0 Same thing, in fact drugs that raise the level of dopamine called dopamine agonist have been tied to compulsive gambling, hypersexuality, compulsive spending\/shopping, binge eating, compulsive drinking, compulsive hobbying, compulsive working, and compulsive computer use. \u00a0Why do I feel I have just unleashed a bunch of sexually unsatisfied officers on doctor\u2019s offices asking for a dopamine drug?<\/span><\/p>\n Bingeing happens to everyone. It\u2019s not something to be ashamed of, but it does cause disruption in your daily life that may be affecting your mental health. \u00a0Consistency is the guiding principle of stability in life. Bingeing on anything rocks the boat in ways you may not even notice. \u00a0Bingeing on food leads to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, weight gain and much more. \u00a0Bingeing on alcohol, unfortunately, is not a solution to the highs and lows of police work and even bingeing on sex may open another can of consequences such as strained marriages and excessive pleasure seeking with other partners. \u00a0A healthy mind rests on sound habits. Everyone has a certain planned schedule and expectations in their mind where failing to meet those self-inspired obligations causes stress and anxiety. \u00a0Bingeing makes it increasingly difficult to stand strong to your schedule and more susceptible to never-ending binge cycles.<\/span><\/p>\n The first step is to learn your binge triggers. These are the little messages in your head that inspire you to take that leap of faith into any binge. That one slice of cold pizza and the next attack on those delicious Cocoa Puffs, followed by beer and chips until you\u2019re in a food coma. \u00a0Keeping yourself productive in healthy ways such as regular exercise or maybe even meditation can easily keep you from those bad habits.<\/span><\/p>\n Studies show that men and women who exercise regularly are more likely to make other positive changes in their life as compared to people who do not exercise regularly. This is the power of habit, but it also regulates dopamine. \u00a0Taking the power of habit into your best defense against bingeing and a disrupted week. We are looking for the little accomplishments that change the way your body reacts to fluctuating dopamine. \u00a0A small shift in your diet can also go a long way. \u00a0Replace the toxic things such as excessive caffeine and sugar with proper meals, fruits, vegetables and water. It\u2019s all about the mindset.<\/span><\/p>\n A third way to control dopamine is to live somewhat in the limits and rules of life.\u00a0 You make the rules though.\u00a0 I will not eat when I am stressed. \u00a0I will work out daily.\u00a0 I will not overwork, over-shop, get too much sex.\u00a0 (Okay, I had you until the last one.)\u00a0 Set a schedule for yourself and set goals that will keep you on the right track (get your head in the game and out of the fridge!). \u00a0\u00a0But, know your limits and remember that balance is key. \u00a0Lean on people close to you for support. \u00a0\u00a0\u201cHey, if I am stressed out keep me away from food or alcohol or whatever.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0If you\u2019re a binger, you have to attack a binge, not be passive.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Site Editor:\u00a0 Gary S. Aumiller, Ph.D. ABPP<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Please share this article from down below.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Please join the email list on the top of the sidebar and you can get these sent to your email.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Come back regularly for more updated articles on police psychology<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Police Psychology | Night of the Living Binge by Gary S. Aumiller, Ph.D.\u00a0 ABPP I\u2019ve got to have some chocolate before dinner. Where is it? \u00a0Wait there\u2019s some cheese. \u00a0I could eat this cheese instead. \u00a0Where\u2019s the knife? \u00a0Hell I don\u2019t need a knife, I could eat the whole chunk of cheese in two bites. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2279,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17168885],"tags":[17168913,17168797,17168831],"class_list":["post-2277","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stress","tag-binges","tag-police-psychology","tag-police-stress"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/policepsychologyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/drinking-cop.png?fit=1062%2C814","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4694,"url":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?p=4694","url_meta":{"origin":2277,"position":0},"title":"Police Psychology | Brain Eaters","author":"Gary Aumiller","date":"November 15, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Police Psychology | Brain Eaters By Gary S. Aumiller, Ph.D.\u00a0 ABPP In Telugu language, the second most popular language in India, they have a phrase that is highly important in police psychology \u2013 burra tinoddu. Not to be confused with the \u201cLion King\u2019s\u201d Hakuna Matata which tells you not to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Mastering Emotions"","block_context":{"text":"Mastering Emotions","link":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?cat=17165629"},"img":{"alt_text":"police psychology, zombie, police stress","src":"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/policepsychologyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/zombie-girl.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1018,"url":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?p=1018","url_meta":{"origin":2277,"position":1},"title":"Police Psychology | Can\u2019t Stop Now","author":"Gary Aumiller","date":"January 28, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Police Psychology | I Can\u2019t Stop Now! \u00a0 Police psychology has to deal with numbers of issues, but one that we often misdiagnose follows. \u201cHey! HEY !!! What the hell are you doing?\u201d \u201cI\u2019M CLEANING OUT YOUR DRIVEWAY. What\u2019s it look like?\u201d \u201cTim, there is a 50-70 mile an hour\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Mastering Emotions"","block_context":{"text":"Mastering Emotions","link":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?cat=17165629"},"img":{"alt_text":"police psychology, snow scene","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/policepsychologyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/snow-scene-300x200.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":796,"url":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?p=796","url_meta":{"origin":2277,"position":2},"title":"Police Psychology | Why Do I Do That!","author":"Gary Aumiller","date":"October 22, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Police Psychology | Why Do I Do That! \u00a0 Police psychology is sometimes very complicated, but sometimes it is not. Let\u2019s spend today\u2019s post back to the Psychology 101 classical conditioning roots. The funny thing is, this whole discovery and all its implications was actually the result of an accident.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Motives and Opportunity"","block_context":{"text":"Motives and Opportunity","link":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?cat=17168884"},"img":{"alt_text":"Police psychology, dog salivating","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/policepsychologyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/dog-salivating-300x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":554,"url":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?p=554","url_meta":{"origin":2277,"position":3},"title":"Police Psychology | Locked Away in Your Cell","author":"Gary Aumiller","date":"August 5, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Police Psychology | Locked Away in Your Cell Police psychology has had a new enemy these days, and it's not typical ol' police stress. The Cell Phone. You ever hold your cell phone up at a concert to demand an encore? That means you are cool! Scan a document into\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Mastering Emotions"","block_context":{"text":"Mastering Emotions","link":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?cat=17165629"},"img":{"alt_text":"Police Psychology cell phone 1","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/policepsychologyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Police-Psychology-cell-phone-1-200x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6005,"url":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?p=6005","url_meta":{"origin":2277,"position":4},"title":"Police Psychology: Good Stress: Bad Stress","author":"Gary Aumiller","date":"May 25, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Police Psychology:\u00a0 Good Stress: Bad Stress by Gary S. Aumiller Ph.D., ABPP \u00a0","rel":"","context":"In "Mastering Resilience"","block_context":{"text":"Mastering Resilience","link":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?cat=17168882"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1276,"url":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?p=1276","url_meta":{"origin":2277,"position":5},"title":"Police Psychology | Thinking Outside the Box","author":"Gary Aumiller","date":"March 1, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Police Psychology | Thinking Outside the Box \u00a0 Police psychology would tell us that sometimes you have to \u201cthink out of the box.\u201d I wanted meatballs the other day! I got it in my brain to make meatballs, and my 9-year old daughter loves meatballs, so I wanted to make\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Rank and Leadership"","block_context":{"text":"Rank and Leadership","link":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?cat=17168887"},"img":{"alt_text":"police psychology, pasta with meatballs","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/policepsychologyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/pasta-with-meatballs-300x200.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p60sbO-AJ","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2277","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2277"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2277\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2535,"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2277\/revisions\/2535"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2277"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2277"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}WHY LEO\u2019S BINGE<\/h2>\n
![\"Police](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/policepsychologyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/procrastination2.png?resize=261%2C121\")
Three Simple Steps<\/h2>\n