The Challenges Addicted Doctors & Nurses Face Require Specialized Diagnosis and Treatment – PART TWO

The Challenges Addicted Doctors & Nurses Face Require Specialized Diagnosis and Treatment – PART TWO

[Note to Reader: This is “Part Two” in a 2-part blog-post. Please go to Archives for “Part One.”] In seeking to maximize patient safety, all U.S. states offer some form of an “impaired healthcare professionals program” aimed at assisting doctors, nurses and others in the healthcare field who’re struggling with a substance use disorder to…

The Challenges Addicted Doctors & Nurses Face Require Specialized Diagnosis and Treatment – PART ONE 

The Challenges Addicted Doctors & Nurses Face Require Specialized Diagnosis and Treatment – PART ONE 

The Challenges Addicted Doctors & Nurses Face Require Specialized Diagnosis and Treatment – PART ONE  Most people in the U.S. consider doctors and nurses to be representatives of healthy habits and lifestyles, and indeed research has shown that assumption is generally true. Those in the healthcare field tend to smoke less and exercise more.[1] However,…

The Unique Challenges Facing Anesthesiologists with Substance Use Disorders

The Unique Challenges Facing Anesthesiologists with Substance Use Disorders

When looking at the rate of substance use disorder among specific physician careers, anesthesiology is one of the most affected medicine specialties. On the surface, one could readily say this is due to the regularity with which they’re overworked and have easier access to addictive drugs. But anesthesiologists face other challenges, as well. Since the…

Addicted Nurses Who Seek Treatment Can Save Lives… Theirs AND Their Patients!

Addicted Nurses Who Seek Treatment Can Save Lives… Theirs AND Their Patients!

It should go without saying that nurses who have an untreated substance use disorder (addiction to alcohol or drugs) are not only endangering themselves, but their patients, as well. One of the key words in this statement is “untreated.” Why? Because untreated implies addiction is treatable. Indeed, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse,…

It’s Double-Trouble When Anesthesiologists Get Addicted to Painkillers

It’s Double-Trouble When Anesthesiologists Get Addicted to Painkillers

During the past few years, much has been said about the opioid epidemic in the U.S. One specific segment of society—doctors who specialize in anesthesiology—have been shown to be particularly prone to the devastating effects of prescription painkillers. The fact is, there’s a significant element of “double-trouble” in the life of an addicted anesthesiologist. That’s…

Nurses with a Substance Use Disorder Face Unique Challenges

Nurses with a Substance Use Disorder Face Unique Challenges

According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the percentage of nurses in the U.S. who have a substance use disorder (i.e., dependence on alcohol and/or drugs) is about 10%, similar to the percentage of the general population.[1] Given the large number of nurses working in the field—approximately 4 million[2]—this rate of addiction…

woman learns about how to help a health care professional with a substance abuse disorder

How to Identify and Help a Health Care Professional with a Substance Use Disorder – PART TWO

How to Identify and Help a Health Care Professional with a Substance Use Disorder – PART TWO [Note to Reader: This post is “Part Two” of a 2-part blog-post. “Part One” is stored in the blog archives, and is recommended reading prior to this post.] If you’re a doctor or you’ve been a part of…

man struggles with opiate withdrawal

Detoxing and Withdrawal from Opiates – PART ONE – Symptoms & Timeline of Opiate Withdrawal

[Note to Reader: This is “Part One” of a 2-part blog-post—“Part Two” will appear later this week.] According to a recent study by Drs. J. Lyden and I. Binswanger, America’s opioid epidemic has become a nationwide public health crisis. And it is not limited only to the abuse of prescribed pain medication. “Initially driven by…