Main Outcome Measures: Alcohol abuse and dependence.Results: Of 25 073 surgeons sampled, 7197 (28.7%) completed the survey. Of these, 1112 (15.4%) had a score on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, version C, consistent with alcohol abuse or dependence. The point prevalence for alcohol abuse or dependence for male surgeons was 13.9% and for female surgeons was 25.6%. Sur-geons reporting a major medical error in the previous 3 months were more likely to have alcohol abuse or dependence (odds ratio, 1.45; PϽ.001). Surgeons who were burned out (odds ratio, 1.25; P=.01) and depressed (odds ratio, 1.48; PϽ .001) were more likely to have alcohol abuse or dependence. The emotional exhaustion and depersonalization domains of burnout were strongly associated with alcohol abuse or dependence. Male sex, having children, and working for the Department of Veterans Affairs were associated with a lower likelihood of alcohol abuse or dependence.Conclusions: Alcohol abuse and dependence is a significant problem in US surgeons. Organizational approaches for the early identification of problematic alcohol consumption followed by intervention and treatment where indicated should be strongly supported.
Methamphetamine (MA) abuse is increasing to epidemic proportions, both nationally and globally. Chronic MA use has been linked to significant impairments in different arenas of neuropsychological function. To better understand this issue, a computerized literature search (PubMed, 1964-2004) was used to collect research studies examining the neurobiological and neuropsychiatric consequences of chronic MA use. Availability of MA has markedly increased in the United States due to recent technological improvements in both mass production and clandestine synthesis, leading to significant public health, legal, and environmental problems. MA intoxication has been associated with significant psychiatric and medical comorbidity. Research in animal models and human subjects reveals complicated mechanisms of neurotoxicity by which chronic MA use affects catecholamine neurotransmission. This pathology may underlie the characteristic cognitive deficits that plague chronic MA users, who experience impairments in memory and learning, psychomotor speed, and information processing. These impairments have the potential to compromise, in turn, the ability of MA abusers to engage in, and benefit from, psychosocially based chemical-dependency treatment. Development of pharmacological interventions to improve these cognitive impairments in this population may significantly improve the degree to which they may be able to participate in treatment. Atypical antipsychotics may have some promise in this regard.
Prazosin holds promise as a pharmacologic treatment for AD and deserves further evaluation in a larger controlled trial.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.