• Home
  • Store
    • Newsletter Subscriptions
    • Multimedia Subscriptions
    • Books
    • eBooks
    • ABPN SA Courses
  • CME Center
  • Multimedia
    • Podcast
    • Webinars
    • Blog
  • Newsletters
    • General Psychiatry
    • Child Psychiatry
    • Addiction Treatment
    • Hospital Psychiatry
    • Geriatric Psychiatry
  • Log In
  • Register
  • Welcome
  • Sign Out
  • Subscribe
Home » When Physicians Become Addicted: How Well Do Treatment Programs Work?
RESEARCH UPDATE

When Physicians Become Addicted: How Well Do Treatment Programs Work?

May 1, 2016
Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP
From The Carlat Addiction Treatment Report
Issue Links: Learning Objectives | Editorial Information | PDF of Issue
Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP. Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist, San Antonio, TX.

Dr. Moore has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Subject:
(Merlo L et al, Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 2016;64:47–54)

Background:

When physicians are diagnosed with opioid or other drug dependence, they are required to receive treatment from special physician health programs (PHP) if they want to keep their medical licenses. Unlike treatment programs for the general population, PHPs do not use opiate agonists, such as methadone or buprenorphine. The rationale is that physician use of such agents would put their patients at risk. Therefore, PHPs rely on psychosocial treatments such as individual and group therapy. How well do such programs work? 

Researchers reviewed five years of charts for 702 physicians admitted to 16 different PHPs. None of the programs offered opiate agonist treatment. Instead, the physicians were required to attend a psychosocial-based abstinence program, usually consisting of psychoeducation; individual, group, family, and recreational therapy; and 12-step programs. They were also required to abstain from the use of mood-altering substances, submit to urine drug screens, and agree to a five-year monitoring period. The physicians fell into one of three substance use categories: alcohol use only (n = 204), opioid use with or without alcohol (n = 339), and non-opioid drug use with or without alcohol (n = 159).

These programs worked remarkably well. For example, among the opiate users, over three-fourths of physicians remained opioid free during the monitoring period, which lasted an average of slightly over four years. Only about 1 in 10 physicians lost their license (or were not licensed for some unknown reason) to practice medicine. The three addiction categories did not differ in number of positive drug screens or completion of treatment contracts.

CATR’s Take: Abstinence-based treatment programs can work remarkably well, at least for addicted physicians who are highly motivated to succeed in treatment, at the risk of losing their livelihoods. It’s not clear how well such programs would work for nonphysicians. But it seems likely that important lessons can be learned from PHPs as we seek better treatment programs for our addicted patients.


                                                                                        



Addiction Treatment
KEYWORDS addiction practice-tools-and-tips research_updates
Bret a moore psyd abpp
Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP

Extended-Release Guanfacine Improves ADHD Symptoms in Autism

More from this author
www.thecarlatreport.com
Issue Date: May 1, 2016
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Table Of Contents
Medication Treatment of Anxiety Disorders in Substance Abusers
Benzodiazepines: Dependence, Tolerance, and Addiction
Synthetic THC and Antihypertensive Provide Little Benefit for Cannabis Dependence
When Physicians Become Addicted: How Well Do Treatment Programs Work?
DOWNLOAD NOW
Featured Book
  • AUDFB1e_CoilBound_Graphic2_transparent_sm.png

    (PRE-ORDER) Treating Alcohol Use Disorder—A Fact Book (2023)

    All the tools and information needed to assess and treat your patients who are struggling with...
    READ MORE
Featured Video
  • therapist_canstockphoto9201097.jpg
    General Psychiatry

    Using SAMe In Clinical Practice with Garrett Rossi, MD

    Read More
Featured Podcast
  • Substance_Use_Sites.jpeg
    Addiction Treatment

    Supervised Drug Consumption Sites

    Once controversial, research clearly shows the benefit of these sites, and they have started opening in the United States.

    Listen now
Recommended
  • Approaches to Autism Intervention

    January 31, 2022
    canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
  • Currently Available Cannabis Products

    September 1, 2022
  • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

    October 17, 2022
    ChildAssessment.png
  • Approaches to Autism Intervention

    January 31, 2022
    canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
  • Currently Available Cannabis Products

    September 1, 2022
  • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

    October 17, 2022
    ChildAssessment.png
  • Approaches to Autism Intervention

    January 31, 2022
    canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
  • Currently Available Cannabis Products

    September 1, 2022
  • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

    October 17, 2022
    ChildAssessment.png

About

  • About Us
  • CME Center
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us

Shop Online

  • Newsletters
  • Multimedia Subscriptions
  • Books
  • eBooks
  • ABPN Self-Assessment Courses

Newsletters

  • The Carlat Psychiatry Report
  • The Carlat Child Psychiatry Report
  • The Carlat Addiction Treatment Report
  • The Carlat Hospital Psychiatry Report
  • The Carlat Geriatric Psychiatry Report

Contact

info@thecarlatreport.com

866-348-9279

PO Box 626, Newburyport MA 01950

Follow Us

Please see our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, Subscription Agreement, Use of Cookies, and Hardware/Software Requirements to view our website.

© 2023 Carlat Publishing, LLC and Affiliates, All Rights Reserved.