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Psychoactive substance use among American anesthesiologists: a 30-year retrospective study
I Lutsky1, M Hopwood, S E Abram
1Department of Anesthesiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia = Journal Canadien D'Anesthesie
|October 1, 1993
Summary
Substance abuse is a significant issue among anesthesiologists, with high rates of alcohol and drug use reported. Prevention programs and institutional policies appear ineffective in deterring this serious problem.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Addiction Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Substance use disorders (SUDs) pose risks in high-stress professions.
- Anesthesiology is a demanding specialty with potential for substance abuse.
- Understanding prevalence and risk factors is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of substance use in anesthesiologists.
- To examine the impact of stress on drug use.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of prevention programs.
Main Methods:
- A mail survey was conducted among 260 anesthesiologists trained between 1958-1988.
- 183 responses were analyzed for demographic and psychosocial factors.
- Focus on psychoactive substance use, dependency, and program efficacy.
Main Results:
- High prevalence of alcohol (91.6%) and illicit drug use (marijuana 30.8%, cocaine 9.4%).
- 15.8% were substance-dependent; impairment increased for those trained post-1975.
- Substance abuse correlated with parental history and higher divorce rates; stress did not correlate with use.
Conclusions:
- Psychoactive substance abuse remains a serious concern in anesthesiology.
- Current prevention programs and drug control policies are perceived as inadequate.
- Further research and improved interventions are needed to address SUDs in this population.