Addicted physicians. A closer look

Fifty physicians were evaluated and treated in a psychiatrically oriented, short-term addiction program. Psychopathology ranged from overt schizophrenia to no demonstrable psychiatric syndrome other than the addiction. Physicians experiencing addiction problems before age 40 years were more likely to exhibit serious psychopathology in the borderline range, while physicians older than 40 years were more likely to exhibit organic brain impairment and depression. Treatment outcome had some relation to psychiatric diagnosis but no relation to the addictive agent.