Doctors doing drugs and drinking: some physicians with substance abuse problems are protected by family and friends

Physician Executive, Sept-Oct, 2004 by Monique Fields

Here's a look at the types of problems the NCPHP has assessed and numbers of cases they've handled:

Breakingdown by Diagnosis  2003  Total in Program

Aging                        0      3
Alcohol                     25    368
Amphetamine/Stimulant        0      8
Barbiturate                  1      9
Benzodiazepine               0      7
Cocaine                      2     19
Dual Diagnosis              10     63
Marijuana                    1     10
Opioids/Analgesics          11    152
Polydrug                     5    143
Psychiatric Disorder        24    178
Sexual Misconduct            7    102
Other                       26    211
Unsubstantiated             26    116
TOTALS                     138   1389

Monique Fields is a journalist for the St. Petersburg Times in St. Petersburg, Fla., and also an accomplished freelance writer. She can be reached through her Web site at www.moniquefields.com