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Addiction to Medications Common Among Physicians in the U.K.
How susceptible are doctors to addiction to the very drugs they prescribe to their patients? According to a report in the Telegraph, in the first year of business for the Practitioner Health Program, the clinic treated NHS staff hooked on drugs like heroin, ketamine and methadone.
The clinic was devised to try and curb the habits of many health professionals who were treating themselves or avoiding their general practitioner or hospital due to worries that colleagues could discover their health problems.
The idea of doctors treating themselves does create cause for concern. As a result, the doctors and dentists treated were reported to the General Medical Council due to fears they were putting patients in danger by practicing medicine under the influence of medication they have taken on their own.
Mental health problems were identified in two thirds of the 184 treated in the 12 months since the clinic opened. Another one in three who came to the specialist service had some form of addiction. Of these individuals, 51 were alcoholics and 16 were drug addicts.
Dr. Clare Gerada, medical director of the Practitioner Health Program noted, “We are seeing every drug under the sun. Ketamine, methadrone, amphetamines, heroin, every drug you have ever heard of is coming through the door.”
The clinic has also treated high numbers of pediatricians, anesthesiologists and psychiatrists. Dr. Gerada noted that the stress of the jobs, easy access to drugs and the extra stigma attached to psychiatrists suffering from mental health problems may contribute to the high demand.
The first report from the clinic shows that more than 80 percent of those treated for drug or alcohol addictions are now sober.
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