Addicted doctors get help to kick the habit
By BRETT FOLEY
MEDICAL REPORTER
Tuesday 31 July 2001
More than 300 working Victorian doctors have some kind of drug or alcohol problem and as many as 10 per cent will experience a substance abuse problem during their career.
The figures have been compiled by a new program to help doctors and other health professionals deal with drug and alcohol abuse without fear of being permanently deregistered.
The director of the Victorian Doctor's Health Program, Dr Jack Warhaft, said his staff had already begun treating some doctors before the program's official launch later this month and he hoped others would come forward to help themselves and ensure public safety.
He said the program was designed to intervene early and combat the reluctance of many of Victoria's 16,000 doctors to seek outside assistance.
Dr Warhaft said the demands of addiction were the same as in society but the medical profession faced specific problems because doctors often thought they could cope by themselves...
Full article at:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/state/2001/07/31/FFX4NTW4RPC.html
