Substance use disorder in the anaesthetist |
| |
| Authors: | U Misra E Gilvarry J Marshall R Hall H McLure R Mayall S El-Ghazali N Redfern E McGrady C Gerada |
| |
| Institution: | 1. South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Sunderland, UK;2. Addictions Services at Cumbria, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS FT, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK;3. South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK;4. Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Trust, Cambridge, UK;5. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK;6. Manchester, UK;7. Department of Anaesthesia, London North West Hospital Trust, London, UK;8. Department of Anaesthesia, Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle, UK;9. Glasgow, UK;10. NHS Practitioner Health, London, UK |
| |
| Abstract: | Anaesthetists have a higher incidence of substance use disorder when compared with other doctors. This might be due to the ease of access to intravenous opioids, propofol, midazolam, inhalational agents and other anaesthetic drugs. Alcohol use disorder continues to be the most common problem. Unfortunately, the first sign that something is amiss might be the anaesthetist's death from an accidental or deliberate overdose. While there are few accurate data, suicide is presumed to be the cause of death in approximately 6–10% of all anaesthetists. If we are to prevent this, substance use disorder must be recognised early, we should ensure the anaesthetist is supported by their department and hospital management and that the anaesthetist engages fully with treatment. Over 75% of anaesthetists return to full practice if they co-operate fully with the required treatment and supervision. |
| |
| Keywords: | addiction substance use disorder suicide |
|
|
