In a startling revelation, it has come to notice that physicians treating patients are at a higher risk of Substance Use Disorders (SUD) in view of the stressful nature of their job and easy access to medicines, putting patient’s life under threat.
The findings of a study conducted at Centre for Addiction Medicine (CAM) in coordination with National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), show that alcohol use among medical students and practicing physicians is a growing trend. According to the study, which was conducted on 58 physicians, 58 per cent (34) of physicians were found with comorbid psychiatric disorders, while 34 doctors out of 58 were found under the influence of alcohol and other substance of abuse.
The study further reported that 39 per cent (23) doctors were suffering from mood disorders, while 40 per cent of them were suffering from marital discord. Also, seven physicians amounting to 12 per cent were found in the grip of anxiety disorders and 7 per cent (4) were reported with psychotic spectrum disorders.
The study further said that 46 per cent of medical specialists and 33 per cent of surgical experts were found with substance use of disorder. Also these doctors had taken their sweet time of 10 years to come for treatment after the dependence pattern was established, which raises a deep concern about patients getting treatment under these doctors. The study also stated that among these doctors, about 58 per cent were using prescription drugs as one of their primary substance.