Treating substance-use disorders among physicians

Of 40 participants of a two-year program for rehabilitating alcohol- and other-drug-dependent physicians, 15 have completed 24 months of treatment and monitoring, eight have completed 12 to 23 months, ten have completed one to 11 months, and seven discontinued treatment before completion. Of the 33 treated physicians, 31 have returned to full practice and 22 have experienced no relapse. The prognosis is quite favorable for most impaired physicians in appropriate treatment, monitoring, and follow-up are provided.