Substance use disorders in physician training programs

Physician impairment due to substance use occurs in all age groups of physicians. Risk factors are similar for age-matched controls, but choice of substance may be influenced by specialty and narcotic permit. Alcohol is by far the most commonly abused drug involved. One of the last areas of performance affected is work. Other areas may provide earlier clues. Intervention and referral to appropriate treatment centers is important. Death rates are relatively high in this disease. We report a favorable outcome of 75 percent at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Tulsa (OUHSC-T), but a death rate of 16.7 percent in our small sample. Aftercare and monitoring are essential to a successful outcome. The vast majority of physicians in training can complete their training with appropriate treatment and monitoring and go on to successful careers.