California was one of the first states to develop a program for early detection and treatment of physicians with substance abuse problems, but the program was closed in 2007. Now, California is one of the only states lacking such a program. The result has been catastrophic for many physicians and their patients. Substance use disordersRead More
(While addressing Physician Health Programs specifically in this blog, the same principles can apply to all types of professional health programs for all the other health professions (dentists, nurses, judges, attorneys, pilots, etc)). Not everyone knows why Physician Health Programs are important. A medical board in a neighboring state without a PHP once asked meRead More
Utilizing blood phosphatidylethanol (PEth) testing as a means to detect beverage alcohol use vs abstinence among licensed professionals and others is a relatively new development. Phosphatidylethanol is a minor metabolite of ethanol formed when an enzyme, phospholipase D (PLD), binds ethanol to phosphatidylcholine lipids in cell membranes, including red blood cells. Over 48 homologues (similarRead More
It is not a good idea to treat someone for an illness they do not have. In fact, it could be considered unethical. We have a successful model now in the professional health world for treating addiction as an illness. And if someone has that illness they should be diagnosed and treated. And there areRead More
Google AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and you find a lot of negative opinions about it online. “AA is a cult.” “AA only has a 5% success rate.” “AA is an irrational “faith based” program.” “AA is a dangerous playground for violence-prone members.” “AA doesn’t work.” “The pseudo-science of AA.” So, if it does not work thenRead More
In Part I of this 2-part series on DUIs among physicians, I highlighted the fact that physicians are not immune from substance use disorders or DUIs. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 5.5% of health care workers in the U.S. had a current substance use disorder1 and numerous studies have shownRead More
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious crime and doctors, who seem to have about the same rate of substance use disorders as the general population, are not immune. The consequences for DUI have become more severe, especially for physicians and other licensed health professionals, particularly in some states. And forRead More
“Mandatory evacuation now!” the police commanded. In my last 30 years working in addiction and treatment, I have seen my fair share of challenges. There have been cross country moves, changing facilities and staff changes that were really hard, but the last year has been extraordinary. It all started in November last year when weRead More
All substance use disorder treatment programs should be excellent, unfortunately standards are often lax, in part because funding is inadequate. Every program should be licensed and accredited and have a physician involved with expertise in addiction medicine. Counseling staff should be licensed. Every program should have excellent evaluation services for assessing the severity of theRead More
According to a Newsmax report, nearly 40 percent of practicing doctors are reluctant to seek out help for mental health issues out of fear over losing their medical license. The problem is even more prevalent in states where doctors were questioned about mental health issues over the past year. In those states, doctors are evenRead More
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