SAN DIEGO, Jan. 04, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Recover starts the New Year with important information regarding the healthcare industries’ exposed position to the opioid epidemic. Nurses, doctors, emergency medical staff and anesthesiologists all overworked and spread thin are just as susceptible as the rest of the population.
This is increasingly problematic for those exposed to a healthcare professional operating while under the influence. Use during work could lead to dire mistakes and misconduct. This is to the surprise of those on the outside; their extensive knowledge and first hand experience with addiction should keep them away from such a dangerous disease.
Statistics show that 1 in every 10 doctors use at some point in their lives, which is the same as the general public. The latest drug use data from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, released in 2007, indicated that an average of 103,000 doctors, nurses, medical technicians and health care aides a year were abusing or dependent on illicit drugs.
With the responsibility of healing and caring for hundreds of patients at a time, the temptation is everywhere. Healthcare professionals deal with overwhelming feelings of guilt, physical and mental stress, and sometimes those feelings become too great to bear. They can convince themselves they are not abusing because they know all about what they are consuming.
Some states have removed their assistance programs for those who need treatment. Doctors are still welcome to private treatment, but if the Medical board is able to verify a substance abuse complaint, the board will punish and note it on public record. This has been looked down upon by neighboring states who believe it will cause more practitioners who will be too afraid to come forward and receive the treatment they need for fear of discipline with no option of addiction treatment for healthcare professionals.
There has been no nationwide protocol for these types of infractions. It hinders the consistent discipline within the community and can lead others to believe they’ll just receive a slap on the wrist.
Author: Kevin Leonard
Organization: TheRecover.com
Address: 402 West Broadway, #400, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 877-957-2244
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3697b12b-20e9-4111-a43d-5b5791257798