Doctors taking recreational drugs ?!

[up all night]

What about alcohol, Mel? What's your stance on that? There is a risk of brain damage with drinking also.

Besides, humans begin to lose brain cells in their 20s. The body also slows production of the chemicals brain cells need. With age, these changes have an increasing effect on memory.

Should we fire all doctors over 50? No, because the difference in memory is negligible. Just as the difference in memory for someone who has taken drugs recreationally in their lifetime is, in reality, probably better than someone who is sleep deprived.

 

[Mary Poppins]

Like a couple of other people have said, if a doctor was using substances and going to work scattered (ie. in a close time frame to consumption) that would worry me slightly.

However - I think this is another argument that stems from the stigma that drugs have due to their illicit nature.

I am more worried about the length of the shifts they work, or other contributing factors that make medicine an extremely stressful occupation.

Drugs are not the only thing that can cause loss of memory or other symptoms that are obviously undesirable in this line of work, therefore in my opinion, I don't have a problem, if they are taken responsibly.

Would you impose the same restrictions on alcohol?

And to go back to the stress thing, considering the intense nature of hospital work, I would be more inclined to encourage doctors to partake in whatever activities are necessary to provide some rest and relaxation, so that they can better cope with stress.

 

[ButrosButros_Grantos]

Ecstasy causes memory loss...

For some reason I would be afraid to go under the knife of a surgeon that my have a short slip of memory and cut the wrong part out of me or leave his surgical tools inside of me.

Depends on the type of doctor to whether or not they should be participating in drug use. For example, surgeons shouldn't use drugs or become heavy drinkers, I prefer surgeons with steady hands. Gp's can go nut bar after all for the most part all their job really is is to crossmatch symptoms with diseases and rule out the unlikely and then perscribe the correct medications, then agin come to think of it maybe going nutbar isn't a good idea for these guys as I want to make sure I get the right medication and not something for viginal thrush...

IMO though, any doctor that deals with OD's, or psychotic episodes brought on by drugs and still chooses to take them shouldn't be a doctor, because they are not sane.

 

[breakyaself]

What about alcohol, Mel? What's your stance on that? There is a risk of brain damage with drinking also.

Besides, humans begin to lose brain cells in their 20s. The body also slows production of the chemicals brain cells need. With age, these changes have an increasing effect on memory.

Should we fire all doctors over 50? No, because the difference in memory is negligible. Just as the difference in memory for someone who has taken drugs recreationally in their lifetime is, in reality, probably better than someone who is sleep deprived.

Its so funny that you are MP are crapping on about Sleep Dep. I think that is a whole other discussion and has absolutely nothing to do with this discussion. Nothing.

Your suggestions about other people with other forms of memory loss are incomparible, as drug use causes much faster brain damage than ageing.

On your comment re: alcohol is that it use in moderation does not affect the brain. Binge drinking does.

I am not attacking drugs, you bunch of crazed mofo's. I am suggesting that a doctors work is far too important to be put at the risk of possible damage for a few good times.

 

[bingey]

I would happily go to an opiate using doc , who trusts a doctor anyway?

 

[breakyaself]

Like a couple of other people have said, if a doctor was using substances and going to work scattered (ie. in a close time frame to consumption) that would worry me slightly.

However - I think this is another argument that stems from the stigma that drugs have due to their illicit nature.

WAVES. HI I STARTED THIS THREAD. I TAKE DRUGS. I HAVE STUDIED DRUGS EFFECT ON CULTURES. If anything sweetheart I am biased leaning towards drugs. If I could I make them legal. What a weird comment.

I am more worried about the length of the shifts they work, or other contributing factors that make medicine an extremely stressful occupation.

Has nothing to do with doctors taking drugs.

Drugs are not the only thing that can cause loss of memory or other symptoms that are obviously undesirable in this line of work, therefore in my opinion, I don't have a problem, if they are taken responsibly.

What is the measure of the responsibility ? If occassional drug uses have been scanned with massive holes in their brains.

Would you impose the same restrictions on alcohol?.

No, because I am not imposing any restrictions anywhere. I am asking for a discussion justifying doctors and drug use. Also, alcohol in moderation does very little to the brain. Every weekend binge drinking causes brain damage, and yeah sure I dont think they should be putting their assessts at risk like that. Lets also include hitting oneself over the head with a metal pole. BECAUSE I AM NOT ATTACKING DRUG USE. I know so, because whenever I mention to a doctor how much I drink I get a 5 hour lecture.

And to go back to the stress thing, considering the intense nature of hospital work, I would be more inclined to encourage doctors to partake in whatever activities are necessary to provide some rest and relaxation, so that they can better cope with stress.

Including killing their brain cells, that may impinge on their ability to carry out their professional life to 100% ? A life that includes saving others ? I fail to see how encouraging doctors to dabble in drugs every now then is relaxing. Dont doctors get come downs ? Or anxiety that can come with occassional drug use ?

Interesting.

 

[anna!]

It seems chrissy has been reincarnated! How strange.

 

[zephyr]

I am asking people to justify doctors recreational drug use. Thats it.

I dont think anyone will ever say its ok to pop a few pills before performing brain surgery or eye surgery on a patient. That is ridiculous- if anyone did that, their inability to perform would be noticed by the many other staff thats around them. Their indemnity insurance will most likely not cover any fuck ups they make if they operate impaired.

However, if a surgeon decides to take drugs during a time where he has enough recovery time so it doesnt affect his work, you as his patient will never ever know he did it.

My Pathologist boss is a known pill popper, shes getting sued at the moment for making a monumental fuck up- she was too fucked up to tell if this patient had cancer or not so the poor guy is walking around with 30cm of colon missing for no good reason. She wasnt drug tested though. Its frightening the amount of Medical Professionals in my field that are addicts. Its easy when they can write their own prescriptions.

Should Doctors be able to just write themselves whatever prescription the want without having to consult another Doctor? Its too open to abuse by a few who would take advantage, but not all of them do.

 

[breakyaself]

My Pathologist boss is a known pill popper, shes getting sued at the moment for making a monumental fuck up- she was too fucked up to tell if this patient had cancer or not so the poor guy is walking around with 30cm of colon missing for no good reason. She wasnt drug tested though. .

.

 

[KemicalBurn]

I dont think they know more than me.

Im damn nearly falling off my chair laughing. Are you fucking serious?

But really, if i'm in a bad situation, take this personally or dont, but i'd much rather have a doctor than some uppity BLer who thinks that because theyve read a few things on the internet they can help when theyll probably make the situation worse compared to a guy who has spent many years at med school.

I can think of a couple of situations where you would be completely at a loss as to what to do 8)

 

[breakyaself]

Im damn nearly falling off my chair laughing. Are you fucking serious?

Did you read the next bit ?

I study the brain. I know what the fuck goes on in terms of the neurochemical reactions and its neurobiological structures, and how illegal substances effect the brain. If you like, you can PM me about any questions you have. %)

 

[breakyaself]

Im damn nearly falling off my chair laughing. Are you fucking serious?

But really, if i'm in a bad situation, take this personally or dont, but i'd much rather have a doctor than some uppity BLer who thinks that because theyve read a few things on the internet they can help when theyll probably make the situation worse compared to a guy who has spent many years at med school.

I can think of a couple of situations where you would be completely at a loss as to what to do 8)

i wasnt suggesting I know how to perform brain surgery. I was sugesting that I am aware, just as much as a doctor is, about the effects of drugs on the brain. No more, No less. And I am not an uppity BL'er who has read a few things on the net. I have read nothing on the net about drug use and neurobiology. I read it in a text book. I heard it in a lecture hall.

 

[KemicalBurn]

You study psychology. Now, if you cant prescribe drugs, what makes you think you know them well enough to someone who can?

And you're being quite contradictory, you study psychology. Good for you, all the best But since when is a psychology degree more indepth than medicine?

Come to think of it, what right does a psychologist have to take drugs?

 

[KemicalBurn]

i wasnt suggesting I know how to perform brain surgery. I was sugesting that I am aware, just as much as a doctor is, about the effects of drugs on the brain. No more, No less. And I am not an uppity BL'er who has read a few things on the net. I have read nothing on the net about drug use and neurobiology. I read it in a text book. I heard it in a lecture hall.

Actually, you did say you know more than doctors about drugs. And you know the effects? fantastic. But theres a lot more to drugs than knowing the damage its doing.

Hypothetical:

Someone is having a heroin overdose. what do you give them? Would benzos help the situation? what about anti-histamines?

 

[KemicalBurn]

Whichbrings me to my next point, opiates and opioids arent neurotoxic.

Does this mean its OK by your logic for doctors to be junkies?

 

[breakyaself]

You study psychology. Now, if you cant prescribe drugs, what makes you think you know them well enough to someone who can?

And you're being quite contradictory, you study psychology. Good for you, all the best But since when is a psychology degree more indepth than medicine?

Come to think of it, what right does a psychologist have to take drugs?

Because in psychology, we study the brain. In depth. By biology lecturers. For a year. We need to have an indepth knowledge of how all drugs affect the brain, legal and otherwise that have anything to do with mood. That includes all recreational drugs. That includes all drugs that are prescribed by a psychiatrist.

It isnt more in depth. We have a very acute understanding though of brain functions, inclusive of chemical and physological. Regardless of your comments, even if I didnt know anything about drugs or the brain, tell me how more knowledge about neurobiology and neurochemistry and drug makeup make it safer to take drugs ? Tell me how, knowledge about what you are doing to yourself makes it anymore less damaging ?

In terms of my own drug use, I decided that I wont be taking drugs again. And a psychologist is not really responsible for the life and death of people in the same way a doctor is.

Good on you though for trying !

 

[breakyaself]

Whichbrings me to my next point, opiates and opioids arent neurotoxic.

Does this mean its OK by your logic for doctors to be junkies?

Stop fine pointing my argument. I didnt just mention neurotoxicity. I am talking about putting your assests at risk, which may impinge on your ability to do your job properly. One of extreme importance. If your opiate use impinges on your ability to do your job, or poses any long term health risks (which it does - addiction) then no, you shouldnt be a doctor.

 

[NickyJ]

Wow!

I'd been looking forward to replying to this thread all morning. But it seems to have turned into a shit fight so I'm going to stay away for now.

Heaps looking forward to the inevitable post by duckboy tho

 

[KemicalBurn]

Because in psychology, we study the brain. In depth. By biology lecturers. For a year. We need to have an indepth knowledge of how all drugs affect the brain, legal and otherwise that have anything to do with mood. That includes all recreational drugs. That includes all drugs that are prescribed by a psychiatrist.

wow! A whole year? Forgive me, i had no idea i was speaking to an academic! All drugs? What do you know of the DO* series? nothing. thats what. There is no fathomable way your texts can cover all drugs. Its just not possible.

If you had said "neuropharmacology" (shall i wait for you to look that up?) then you may have swayed my opinion, but neurobiology? LOL!

It isnt more in depth. We have a very acute understanding though of brain functions, inclusive of chemical and physological. Regardless of your comments, even if I didnt know anything about drugs or the brain, tell me how more knowledge about neurobiology and neurochemistry and drug makeup make it safer to take drugs ? Tell me how, knowledge about what you are doing to yourself makes it anymore less damaging ?

See my question about doctors becoming junkies

In terms of my own drug use, I decided that I wont be taking drugs again. And a psychologist is not really responsible for the life and death of people in the same way a doctor is.

Its not as if the doctors are getting fucked up and then going to work 8)

 

[breakyaself]

Actually, you did say you know more than doctors about drugs. And you know the effects? fantastic. But theres a lot more to drugs than knowing the damage its doing.

Hypothetical:

Someone is having a heroin overdose. what do you give them? Would benzos help the situation? what about anti-histamines?

er?

LOL. What the hell are you talking about ?
I said that I am aware of the effects of drugs on the brain. I am aware of how drugs effect the brain and their exact neurochemical reactions. I made this comment as someone suggested that I didnt know. I never mentioned anything about being a doctor.