[Drug dependence among physicians]

Abstract

Physicians are at higher risk of addiction compared with the general population. Worldwide about 15% of physicians may be addicted to drugs or alcohol. In Germany, accurate epidemiological data are not available. The underlying issues of this occupational risk are the dangers of "role strain", features of a "typical" personality and a high rate of burnout among physicians. Most important is therefore prevention, the need to persuade physicians to "cherish themselves" and reduce work stress as far as possible. An US-program is described regarding identification and therapy of drug users among physicians.