Written by: Angel. Alexander, Mental Health Writer

Medical Professionals and the Struggles With Substance Use Disorders

Working in healthcare is stressful for many reasons. Every day, you must make tough choices for other people that significantly impact your life.

In addition to the familiar strains of life, you now have the added weight of legal responsibility and financial worries. Worse, it's not always easy to leave work and forget your concerns about your patients.

According to the Critical Care Medicine Journal, it is projected that 10% to 15% of all medical staff will grapple with drug or alcohol misuse at some point in their careers. The Harvard Review of Psychiatry adds that those who work in the medical field have a higher risk of abusing prescription pharmaceuticals, with the misuse of narcotics and benzodiazepines being the most prevalent.

It should not come as a surprise that substance addiction is at the center of many disputes between medical professionals and the bodies that employ them. For example, based on data gathered by the Texas Tribune, almost one-third of all disciplinary actions against Texas nurses involve drug usage.

Like those in other fields where addiction is a problem, medical professionals may use drugs or alcohol to deal with the pressures of their jobs or help them get through the long, demanding shifts they often work.

However, one of the most important aspects that separate addiction among healthcare workers from that seen in the general population is their greater access to addictive medications. It shouldn't be surprising that healthcare workers, such as nurses and doctors, have far more access to addictive drugs like fentanyl and other opioids than the general public does.

Researchers also have additional hypotheses to explain why those who work in the medical field may have a greater risk of developing an addiction. One of these hypotheses is that medical practitioners may be more likely to self-medicate, which often results in abuse of the prescription.

Alcohol Withdrawal Signs and Symptoms

Benzo Withdrawal Signs and Symptoms

Opioid Withdrawal Signs and Symptoms

Signs of Stimulant Abuse

Does Insurance Cover Addiction Treatment?

In What Ways Do Patients Feel the Effects of Medical Staff Drug Use?

The danger drinking and drug addiction pose to medical workers depend on their job. For example, alcohol consumption poses an exceptionally high risk for surgeons because of the importance of completing surgeries with few or no complications. Despite this, one out of every six surgeons has a problem with alcohol consumption. The outcomes might be disastrous if, for example, a surgeon was misusing alcohol and intoxicated or going through withdrawal while on the job.

Other dangers that might arise in the workplace for medical professionals who misuse alcohol include:

• Inaccurate medical diagnosis.

• Accidentally dosing a patient with the incorrect amount of medicine.

• A lack of professionalism in one's demeanor.

• Shift absence.

• Surgery goofs caused by botched incisions.

• Lack of concentration.

• Committing acts that endanger the lives of patients.

• Being accused of professional misconduct and being sued for it.

• The risk of contamination and infection.

The impacts of drug abuse on medical practitioners may extend well beyond the physical, such as in their demeanor and dealings with patients and their loved ones and the quality of treatment they provide. In addition, the possibility of reduced therapeutic response in a patient is another risk associated with medication diversion (or administering drugs not intended for that patient).