Holistic Addiction Treatment Center for Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare professionals are held in extremely high regard as “superheroes” responsible for the health and well-being of the general population. With this responsibility also comes the stress and anxiety that accompanies playing such an integral role in society. As a result, a large percentage of healthcare professionals utilize drugs and alcohol as coping mechanisms to deal with these stressors. For this reason, it is critical that healthcare workers struggling with addiction be provided with adequate treatment opportunities. A holistic addiction treatment center approach has become commonplace in the efforts to address substance abuse with healthcare professionals.
Addiction in the Healthcare Profession
Research indicates that 40% of physicians experience burnout during their time in the medical profession[1]. The constant exposure to high work-related stress, illness, death, and trauma can often lead to drug misuse and abuse in healthcare professionals. Opioids, benzodiazepines, and other prescription medications are those most often abused in the medical profession. A 2013 study found that 69% of its physician participants “abused prescription medication as a means of relief from emotional and physical stress.”[2]
Recent studies have indicated that between 10% to 15% of all healthcare professionals will misuse drugs or alcohol during their careers. [3] One study conducted illustrated that 20% of medical students and 46% of pharmacological students abuse prescription drugs[4].
Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
One researcher, Kenna (2008), noted that healthcare professionals who find themselves battling addiction often experienced some level of “professional invincibility.” [4] This concept supports the belief that some healthcare professionals wrongly assume that, because of their occupation, they are able to self-medicate without the risk of developing an addiction. Unfortunately, this false assumption leads to risk-taking behavior with substances, that often leads to addiction.
Although medical professionals are believed to be “better” at disguising symptoms of substance use and abuse, there are a number of indicators that are often indicative of substance addiction. These symptoms include alterations in workplace conduct, as well as physiological and behavioral changes.
Signs and symptoms of substance addiction in the workplace:
- Frequent absences without explanation
- Frequent tardiness
- Missing of client and/or patient appointments
- Large quantities of drug orders
- Decrease in work performance
Behavioral and physiological symptoms of substance addiction:
- Changes in sleeping/eating
- Fatigue
- Changes in appearance/personal hygiene
- Personality changes
- Manipulative behaviors
- Defensiveness
Additionally, a heightened potential for abuse and addiction among providers who already demonstrate key risk factors including genetic predispositions, previous experimentation, and comorbid psychological disorders.
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Addiction Treatment for Healthcare Professionals
There can be significant ethical and legal ramifications that can occur as a result of a healthcare professional abusing drugs or alcohol including loss of license and medical malpractice lawsuits. As a result, the medical profession is making large strides towards establishing a greater level of awareness regarding addictions of healthcare professionals.
Addiction treatment for healthcare professionals requires a more discrete and unique approach to recovery. This includes healthcare professionals identifying coping skills and behaviors to assist in preventing relapse. These include learning how to:
- Repair any damaged relationships and/or reputations
- Successfully integrate back into the work setting
- Avoid potential triggers at work and home
These treatment programs assist impaired healthcare providers receive long-term success through treatment, in addition to returning back to the workplace. Research has shown that 70% of those healthcare professionals who receive appropriate treatments are able to recover and successfully return back to the medical field.
Holistic Addiction Treatment Center
Drug treatment programs in community settings usually provide a variety of services and strategies for patients with diverse needs. Identifying key effective treatment strategies that these programs have in common has been challenging.
A holistic approach to treatment looks to achieve a maximum well-being on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level [5]. Although addiction has common characteristics associated with it, this approach takes into account the entire person while emphasizing personal responsibility and commitment. Research indicates that holistic techniques are widely known for supporting addiction treatment in a number of ways including:
- Physical symptoms of addiction and withdrawal
- Emotional imbalance that can lead to substance abuse
- A lack of spiritual grounding
- Unhealthy eating habits, resulting in a neurochemical imbalance
- Environmental toxins or contaminants [5]
Get Help Today
Desert Cove Recovery provides a holistic approach to addiction treatment; combining traditional methods with cutting edge techniques to provide clients with an individualized approach to recovery. Their holistic program is focused on finding a long-term solution that will work for you. Your long-term success awaits… You can live a happy, sober life.
Sources:
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17242598/ [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK343542/ [3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2265282/ [4] https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ps.55.7.767 [5] https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Holistic-01.png
