scholarly journals Physician Impairment: Is Recovery Feasible?

2009 ◽  
Vol 3;12 (3;5) ◽  
pp. 487-491
Author(s):  
Paul J. Christo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Relapse Prevention ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Professional Judgment ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Physician Impairment

Background: Physician impairment is a serious public health issue affecting not only physicians, but also their families, colleagues, and patients. Physician impairment is used most often to refer to substance use disorders, which involve both substance abuse and substance dependence and/or addiction. Objective: This article aims to describe the problem of physician impairment within the context of substance use disorders. The concept of recovery and several strategies for effective recovery are explored. Discussion: Experts now define impairment as an enduring condition that if left untreated is not amenable to remission and cure. In terms of functional capacity, impairment renders the physician unable to provide competent medical services, with serious flaws in professional judgment. Herein, we define the scope of the problem, consider several theories to explain the reason physicians may be prone to develop substance use disorders, discuss diagnosis and reporting, as well as treatment and prognosis, and identify several relapse prevention strategies. Conclusion: Physician impairment is a real and significant public health concern; however, recovery is feasible and the data support favorable odds of recovery and a return to clinical practice among those seeking appropriate treatment, counseling, and relapse prevention strategies. Key words: Physician impairment, substance use disorder, prevention, relapse, recovery, dependence, substance abuse, Physician Health Programs (PHPs).

Substance Use Disorders in Later Life: A Review and Synthesis of the Literature of an Emerging Public Health Concern

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Yarnell ◽  
Luming Li ◽  
Brian MacGrory ◽  
Louis Trevisan ◽  
Paul Kirwin
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Public Health Concern

Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders

2017 ◽  
pp. 175-178
Author(s):  
Myrna M. Weissman ◽  
John C. Markowitz ◽  
Gerald L. Klerman
Keyword(s):  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Substance Use Disorder ◽  
Relapse Prevention ◽  
Addictive Disorders ◽  
Better Than

This chapter includes an overview of the use of IPT for patients with substance abuse (e.g., alcohol, opiates, cocaine, and nicotine) and addictive disorders. The available data do not allow us to recommend IPT as a treatment for patients with a substance use disorder. There have been several negative IPT trials in this population, and in this setting IPT has been found to be no better than a control condition. However, some small studies in process are more optimistic for its use in narrowly defined samples. Based on the published literature, approaches other than IPT that focus on sobriety or relapse prevention may be preferable for patients with substance use disorders. IPT has never been intended as a treatment for all patients with all conditions, and substance abuse may be an area where its application has limited utility.

scholarly journals Development and implementation of SafeMedWaste, a chemical denaturant for non-hazardous disposal of controlled medications

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Leishman ◽  
Yizhong Wang ◽  
Reddy Channu ◽  
Evan Boyst ◽  
Marshall Hartmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Test Sample ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Waste Streams ◽  
Manufacturing Facility ◽  
Controlled Substances ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Beta Testing

AbstractSubstance use disorders are a significant public health issue. Options to dispose of controlled medications are limited, increasing the risk of diversion. Providing an alternative for disposal, a chemical denaturant, SafeMedWaste, was designed to destroy controlled substances irreversibly and safely be placed in non-hazardous landfills. Via HPLC–MS, four formulations of SafeMedWaste were tested with 34 different liquid controlled medications from DEA schedules I–V. Beta testing assessed the efficacy of SafeMedWaste in a clinical setting and on waste generated in a manufacturing setting. Furthermore, a formulation of SafeMedWaste was tested on solid controlled medications. All 34 of the liquid medications tested (e.g., amphetamine, diazepam, fentanyl, ketamine) were fully destroyed in SafeMedWaste within 2–24 h. Analysis of a beta test sample of SafeMedWaste containing fentanyl, midazolam, and morphine waste collected in a hospital showed full denaturation of these drugs in 24 h. Variants of SafeMedWaste were optimized to denature six different controlled substance waste samples from a manufacturing facility. In contrast to side-by-side studies with a charcoal disposal system using the same drugs, SafeMedWaste fully inactivated and destroyed the controlled substances in the waste streams. Another formulation of SafeMedWaste was tested on solid medications, which were fully denatured in 48–72 h. In conclusion, SafeMedWaste irreversibly denatures controlled medications that present a problem in our society.

scholarly journals Emerging Opportunities to Improve Treatment Access for Substance Use Disorders and Other Comorbid Health Issues Among Women Enrolled in WIC

2022 ◽  
pp. 152483992110690
Author(s):  
Yukiko Washio ◽  
Bradley N. Collins ◽  
Linda M. Kilby
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Routine Practice ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Underserved Communities ◽  
Increased Risk

Women living in underserved communities are at an increased risk for substance use disorders and other comorbid health issues, a public health concern that was exacerbated as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. In response to the challenges the pandemic presented, services delivered by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) adapted nimbly, including WIC nutrition managers’ and counselors’ efforts to provide reactive referrals of clients raising concern about substance misuse and related consequences. This adaptation signaled an opportunity to consider integrating more proactive, evidence-based strategies for substance use disorders such as standardized brief assessments, advice, and referral procedures (i.e., Screening, Brief Interventions, and Referral to Treatment [SBIRT]), as part of routine WIC operations. Integration of such routine practice would improve the quality of care WIC provides to their clients and families, while addressing a major gap in public health by connecting clients at high risk for substance use disorders and substance-related problems to much needed services. Given the adaptability of WIC to reactively manage the wide array of psychosocial and mental health problems that increased during the pandemic, opportunities exist for future research to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of proactive implementation of brief screening, advice, and treatment referral to reduce substance-related harm among women living in underserved communities.

scholarly journals Assessment of Students Support Services Centre Approach to Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment of Substance Abuse Management in a Private Institution of Higher Learning

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Okondu Ogechukwu Emmanuel ◽  
Lazarus Phebe Victoria ◽  
Okondu Emmanuel Confidence ◽  
Khadija Abubakar ◽  
Banjo Oluwafikayomi Opeyemi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Brief Intervention ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Research Information ◽  
Screening Process ◽  
Key Informants

Substance abuse among young adults is a major public health issue which can cause significant damage to their mental health. The screening, brief, interventions and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is a public health prevention tool used in identifying persons at risk of substance use and abuse. This study assessed the approach to screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment of substance abuse management in a higher institution of learning. The study adopted a qualitative key informant’s interviewer assessment method. Key informants from the Student Support Service (SSS) Centre were interviewed to assess the SBIRT management approach of substance abuse in a university setting. The interview guide had a total of 5 themes with 8 questions and 14 follow-up questions. Interviews and observation of key informants was used to obtain research information. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. This study revealed that the study population utilized reliable drug tests, students’ performance, behavior and appearance of the students as an approach to screening students for substance abuse. Management was dependent on level of risk of the student determined from the screening process. Substance use disorders varying from moderate to high risk were given counselling therapy; patients with severe risk dependency were referred to specialty treatment (rehabilitation) for further treatment. The SBIRT approach in the treatment of students at risk of substance abuse have been found to be useful. There are however challenges with students complying to treatment which needs to be addressed.

scholarly journals Substance use disorders and sexually transmitted infections: a public health perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijaya Murali ◽  
Sabitha Jayaraman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Tertiary Prevention ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
List Type ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Sexually Transmitted

SummaryIt has long been recognised that substance use disorders and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common comorbid conditions. It is clear that treating one condition while leaving the other leads to increased morbidity and mortality in this patient population. However, engaging patients in treatment is extremely challenging, which is a huge public health concern. This article focuses on various sexually transmitted infections seen in the substance misuse population and means of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.Declaration of interestNone.Learning objectives•Be aware of the current extent of comorbidity between substance use disorders and STIs•Learn about primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of STIs in people with substance use disorders•Understand the links between high-risk sexual behaviour and illicit drug use, as shown by current evidence

scholarly journals Quality of life and its related factors in women with substance use disorders referring to substance abuse treatment centers

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Majid Barati ◽  
Khadijeh Bandehelahi ◽  
Tahereh Nopasandasil ◽  
Hanieh Jormand ◽  
Amir Keshavarzi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Abuse Treatment ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Substance Abuse Treatment Centers ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Abuse Treatment

Abstract Background Substance-Related Disorders are among the most common social problems caused by using legal and illegal substances. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the quality of life (QoL) and its related factors among women with substance use disorders referring to substance abuse treatment centers in Hamadan, west of Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out on 120 Iranian female substance users recruited through the census sampling method in 2018. Data collection tools consisted of demographic characteristics and QoL assessment (SF-36). Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 via one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi-square tests. Results The mean age of the participants was 33.2 ± 12.1 years and the mean score of their total QoL was 35.35 ± 13.5. The results of multiple linear regression analysis indicated that using methamphetamine (β =  − 6.62) was the predictor of QoL in women. Moreover, there was a significant association between QoL and age (p < 0.001), educational level (p = 0.011), and age at first use (p < 0.001). Conclusion According to the results, the participants’ QoL was found to be at an unsatisfactory level. So, it is essential to implement educational help-seeking behavior for treatment and effectiveness educational, as well as holding mental health intervention, school-based substance abuse prevention, and harm reduction programs of substance use. This is especially important in adolescents, young, low-educated, early drug use, and methamphetamine user women, as it may increase the QoL

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