Substance‐Abusing Physicians: Monitoring and Twelve‐Step‐Based Treatment

Abstract

This study was designed to provide an independent evaluation of the oversight and rehabilitation of substance-impaired physicians. Records of 104 physicians who had completed their monitoring period by the New York State Committee on Physicians' Health were selected at random from CPH files. They had been followed for an average of 41.3 months. Practice characteristics and substance use before admission, as well as workplace monitoring, twelve-step attendance, urine toxicologies, and relapse incidence after admission are reported. Significant intercorrelations among these variables were ascertained by logistic regression. The utility of twelve-step-based rehabilitation as part of a treatment plan for sustaining abstinence and averting relapse is discussed.

Five year outcomes in a cohort study of physicians treated for substance use disorders in the United States

“…We are confident of the validity of these records, and our results are consistent with most other published studies of physicians with substance use disorders. [4][5][6][7] However, the official records provide only a limited picture of the broader functional status and personal health of these physicians. A prospective study is needed to enrich these data, with additional information on clinical and administrative processes and a broader range of measures for functional status.…”

“…This is made more important by the fact that studies of these programmes have been short term self evaluations of individual programmes. [4][5][6][7] Although most of the results from these studies have been positive, few have been independently audited or have provided longer term results. 5 7 These are important gaps in information.…”

Spirituality during Alcoholism Treatment and Continuous Abstinence for One Year

“…Some credit recovery with commitment to the detailed, broad, and inclusive program of spirituality promoted by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) [13][14][15][16]. Others point to a personallydesigned spiritual path [17,18] that often emphasizes an eclectic approach to spirituality. At the same time, some attribute success to self-reliance and inner strength [19][20][21].…”

Physicians in Long-Term Recovery Who Are Members of Alcoholics Anonymous

“…The second study was carried out on New York State's program, where 104 participants who completed monitoring were assessed after an average of 41 months. Management had included having a monitor assigned to each physician who recorded Twelve‐Step and psychotherapy participation.…”