Medical Professionals and Their Risk to Addiction

Why is there an increasing risk of drug abuse in medical professionals?

• Medical professionals seem to be particularly susceptible to prescription drug abuse. This is likely because they have access to prescription products that the general population does not. The nurses usually steal prescription pads and forge their own prescriptions.
• Medical professionals have the knowledge of drugs and their effects and may feel as if they are not going to be addicted as they fully understand the effects of the medicine.
• The medical students may be curious about the medicines and its effect and it may lead to addiction.
• They have practice and knowledge about injections and it will help them self-administer the injections/ injectables.
• Doctors and nurses often get more seriously ill than their patients because they take higher quality drugs than other people. For example, some pain killer drugs such as fentanyl are more potent than morphine and heroin.
• For medical professionals, it is easier to hide the signs and symptoms of substance abuse for a longer time.
• Professionals within this community frequently work in the higher pressured environment for long hours with little or no support.
• While more studies on this subject are being conducted, it could be said that just the constant presence of the substance near the person could easily drive them to try it.

Types of Drug Abuse in Medical Professionals

The addiction in medical professionals varies from common painkillers to anesthetic medicines. Some of them are as follows:

Depressants:

1. Barbiturates (Amytal, Nembutal, phenobarbitone, etc.)
2. Benzodiazepines (Lorazepam, Librium, Diazepam)
3. Flunitrazepam

Dissociative anesthetics:

1. Ketamine
2. Propofol

Opioids and Morphine derivatives: Codeine, Fentanyl, morphine, opium, other opioid pain relievers like oxycodone, meperidine, hydromorphone.

Stimulants: Amphetamine, cocaine, methamphetamine, methylphenidate

Anabolic Steroid: Anadrol, oxandrin

Antihistamines: CPM

Antitussive or cough syrups

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Signs and symptoms of drug abuse in health professionals

It seems to be very difficult to identify the signs and symptoms of drug abuse in medical professionals because they have knowledge about the medicines and their side effects, and it helps them to hide the signs and symptoms for a longer time. But the common signs and symptoms include:

• Reclusive behavior: Long periods spent in self-imposed isolation
• Long unexplained absence
• Lying and stealing, especially money and medicines
• Involvement in the wrong side of the law
• Deteriorating relationship with family and friends
• Obvious intoxication, deliriousness, incoherence, or unconsciousness
• Erratic mood disturbances
• Decreased performance at work
• Pricking marks on the body

Drug Addiction as an occupational Hazard

In the medical profession, drug addiction is considered an occupational hazard, since there is a high risk of getting addicted to the drugs in their career. So the hospital authority and occupational health team should take all precautions to avoid drug abuse.

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How to prevent drug addiction in medical professionals

The hospital authorities should take care to avoid or prevent the addiction in the medical staff. The precautions include

1. The addictive medicines should require greater storage security and should have proper stock counting.
2. Some hospitals have measures in place to catch drug abuse among staff including urine drug tests and strict monitoring of controlled substances being taken out of stock.
3. Education and training include addiction awareness and stress reduction practices helpful in controlling drug abuse.

Disclaimer: We strive to treat our patients with dignity and utmost sensitivity. We understand that addiction is a disease and that it is not a sign of weakness. Terms like  addict, abuser are used not in a derogatory way but to remain relevant to user search trends and common usage. It is important to note that addiction should be referred to with utmost care and sensitivity to better address the effects of this psychological condition. Words like addict should be avoided. In case you or your loved ones are struggling with substance abuse disorder and share a unique viewpoint on how we can improve this content for our readers, please reach out to us at info@cadabamshospitals.com.

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Why Cadabam’s?

Substance abuse disorder is more hazardous than it appears to be. With life-risking symptoms, it inches forward to consume your mental health until you give up on yourself entirely. With Cadabam’s, you can prevent this right away. The multidisciplinary team of professionals at Cadabam’s is well-equipped to deal with cases of any severity. For more than 30 years, we have treated thousands of patients. Our team relies on a holistic approach and different types of treatments, based on one’s distinct needs and preferences, ensuring them a personalized and satisfying experience. So, take a step forward to beat your substance use disorder. Take our hands and get on a custom treatment plan. Call us at +91 96111 94949 or +91 7353226622. You can even email us at info@cadabams.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Substance Abuse?

It is a type of addiction where a person may consume too many prescription-based medications, alcohol, and illegal substances that may soon convert into an addictive habit. Generally, they are accompanied by several mental health and life-risking situations.

2. How long does it take to eliminate substance abuse in health care professionals?

With Cadabam's and their top-quality treatment, you can expect immediate recovery. However, that may differ from patient to patient depending on their level of substance abuse. Generally, it takes anything around 30 days to 90 days for the same.

3. Can people die due to excessive substance abuse?

Yes, the prospects of people dying due to substance abuse are pretty high. However, these are rare cases in totality.

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