Similarities of substance use between medical and nursing specialties

This paper reviews and compares alcohol and other drug involvement findings in two professions, medicine and nursing, by specialty. Health care providers are naturally subgrouped by specialty, as this is a major work environment factor. The evidence indicates an association exists between practicing in certain medical or nursing specialties and substance use. In addition, similarities in specialty membership and substance use across medicine and nursing suggests there may be common risk factors related to substance use that could be addressed using interdisciplinary approaches.