21 Aug Addiction in the Workplace: How Physicians Can Recognize the Signs and Get Patients Help
Mental Health Notice: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24/7), text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line), or call 911 in an emergency.
Addiction Treatment Notice: If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use disorder, help is available. Call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7). Do not attempt to stop heavy alcohol or drug use abruptly without medical supervision. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before beginning any detox or addiction treatment program.
Substance use disorder can affect patients in any profession, income bracket or stage of life. Employment can sometimes make a developing problem harder to recognize because patients may continue meeting professional obligations long after alcohol or drug use has begun causing harm elsewhere. A steady paycheck, respected career or strong performance record does not rule out a substance use disorder.
Physicians are often positioned to identify concerning patterns before a patient experiences a major occupational, legal or medical consequence. Recognizing the signs requires looking beyond whether someone still has a job. Changes in health, behavior, medication use and work functioning can provide a much fuller picture.
[caption id="attachment_75682" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Photo by Yan Krukau[/caption]