Drink and drugs: from medical students to doctors

Abstract

Drinking and illicit drug use were assessed longitudinally in a cohort of medical students who were surveyed in the second and fifth year of their undergraduate studies and after 1 year as PRHOs. Mean alcohol consumption had increased significantly (P<0.015) over the three time points; 15.2-16.0-18.8 units/week. Experimentation with illicit drugs had increased from 50 to 63 to 65%. Although education on alcohol and illicit drugs should be part of core curriculum in medical schools, support and intervention in the workplace is also needed for individuals with alcohol and/or drug problems.