The Dangerous Specter of Addiction A Cautionary Tale

The literature is equivocal: dentists are either as susceptible to substance abuse or somewhat more susceptible than the general public. Most of us have suspected at one time that a colleague was troubled by excessive alcohol consumption or prescription pain medications. We often sit on the sidelines, waiting for an ideal opportunity to help, wary about offering unsolicited advice or invading the privacy of a colleague. When the problem is confronted and intervention begins, we hold our breath, yearning for a healthy outcome but dreading the worst. This brief memoir describes the first author's real-life attempts to support a colleague (with the help of a psychologist, the second author) at various intersections of treatment. The moral challenge of professional confrontation is explored. Suggestions on how to intervene with friends, colleagues, and loved ones are offered.