A stressed nurse crouching to the floor

Healthcare Professionals & Job Stress: Risks Extend to Patients

Pressure on healthcare professionals is associated with higher risk With the recent pandemic, the pressure on healthcare professionals soared. Many turned to substances to cope with the stress, sleep loss, and constant exposure to illness and death. It’s estimated that 10%-15% of healthcare workers may face substance abuse issues during their careers, with some substances…

Some Reflections on Treatment and Recovery for Dentists with Substance Use Disorders – PART TWO

Some Reflections on Treatment and Recovery for Dentists with Substance Use Disorders – PART TWO

When most dentists show up for work at a dental office, they’re not working alongside another dentist who is impaired by alcohol or drugs. Still, statistics indicate anywhere from 12 to 19% of dentists face a substance use disorder within their lifetime.[1] Given this understandably surprising (if not startling) information, the question arises: What can…

Some Considerations for Pharmacists with Substance Use Disorders

Some Considerations for Pharmacists with Substance Use Disorders

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimates that 10-15% of healthcare professionals will misuse drugs or alcohol at some point in their career, which is similar to the rate of the rest of the population.[1] However, there are numerous occupational hazards unique to pharmacists involving risk factors such as: · Easy access…

a professional struggles with addiction

Why Addiction Treatment Is Different for Professionals

When dealing with a substance abuse issue, addicted professionals must deal with it differently. Being a professional puts addiction in a completely different light and calls for distinctive addiction treatment solutions. There are many professionals who are addicted to some substance or another, but people often don’t realize the extent of their problem. Sometimes professionals…

More Than Half of Pandemic Healthcare at Risk for Mental Health Issues and Alcohol Abuse   

More Than Half of Pandemic Healthcare at Risk for Mental Health Issues and Alcohol Abuse  

Given the current COVID-19 health crisis, every U.S. community depends on the mental health of its frontline healthcare workers, including emergency and hospital personnel, doctors and nurses. According to a new study, those regularly facing pandemic-related stressors are at greater risk for mental health problems. The research, which was published in the November 2020 online…

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,…

A POV About Treatment and Recovery for Those in The Healthcare Industry

A POV About Treatment and Recovery for Those in The Healthcare Industry

Most people would agree: Being a healthcare worker—especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic—isn’t a career for the faint of heart. Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals shoulder a lot of responsibility and regularly work in demanding, high-pressure environments. (I can’t imagine a more stressful place to work, these days, than a hospital or medical clinic.)…

Study Concludes 3 out of 4 Family Medicine Physicians with Substance Use Disorders Successfully Recover with Help from Physician Health Programs (PHPs)

Study Concludes 3 out of 4 Family Medicine Physicians with Substance Use Disorders Successfully Recover with Help from Physician Health Programs (PHPs)

In 2017, Dr. John S. Rose and his team at the University of California, Davis Health System looked into data from a 5-year study. They wanted to see how U.S. physician health programs (PHPs) help doctors with substance use disorders. Their focus was on comparing family medicine physicians (FMPs) in recovery to other doctors. Research…

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,…