Addictions
Alcohol misuse
The management of substance misuse and other addiction problems will be according to current good practice guidelines, aiming for complete abstinence. We are able to offer medication assisted detoxification where this is necessary.
We can also offer on-going case management, help around relapse prevention and access to specialist cognitive behaviour therapy.
Substance misuse
Doctors and dentists who have an opiate or other addiction can, if needed, be offered pharmacologically supported detoxification.
The detoxification process can either be carried out in the community or during an inpatient stay with one of our PHS preferred providers. We can even in some circumstances offer you a home – detoxification alongside supervised support at Riverside Medical Centre.
Following detoxification you will be encouraged to rapidly engage with the British Sick Doctors and Dentists or equivalent abstinence oriented support group as well as attend PHS for regular reviews and/or cognitive behaviour therapy.
Other Addictions
In addition to patients presenting with alcohol or drug addictions (legal or illegal), there a number of patients who have behavioural addictions such as internet pornography and gambling, gaming or spending too much time on their phone/ the internet. If you feel that any of your behaviours may constitute an addiction, please do not hesitate to contact Practitioner Health and get in touch with us.
Doctors and dentists who develop addictions face a unique set of challenges when it comes to presenting with their addiction and overcoming it. Healthcare professionals face difficulty in knowing who to turn to and often have limited access to confidential and supportive care. Many professionals experience negative attitudes from colleagues in relation to addiction and therefore feel ashamed and are more likely to cover up their difficulties. This leads to isolation, contributing to later presentation. Doctors and dentists with addictions often feel they have no one to relate to – they may not identify as an addict until well into a process of recovery. However, once on a treatment pathway, addicted doctors have very good outcomes in comparison with non-medical addicted patients.
Low mood and suicidality is closely related to addiction behaviours, therefore meaning that patients may not be able to begin to receive treatment for depression until they address their addiction.)