Addiction and Healthcare Providers

In 2020, forty million people in the United States had a substance use disorder and only 6.5 percent received treatment. Healthcare providers are not immune to substance use disorders and other addictions. Some studies indicate that stress, burnout, exposure to death and trauma, access to prescription medication, and a culture of fear of stigma and loss of license are contributing factors for healthcare providers turning to drugs, alcohol, and other addictions as coping strategies. In this episode, co-hosts Amy Pearlman and Paul Deger discuss the impact of addiction on healthcare providers and patients, self-disclosure in the workplace, and recovery. We also hear from a guest clinician who reflects on sharing his recovery story with his patients and coworkers. 

To find help:

Contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

References:

https://nida.nih.gov/about-nida/legislative-activities/budget-information/fiscal-year-2024-budget-information-congressional-justification-national-institute-drug-abuse/ic-fact-sheet-2024

Berge, K. H., Seppala, M. D., & Schipper, A. M. (2009). Chemical dependency and the physician. Mayo Clinic proceedings, 84(7), 625–631. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0025-6196(11)60751-9  

Kenna, G. A., & Lewis, D. C. (2008). Risk factors for alcohol and other drug use by healthcare professionals. Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy, 3, 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/1747-597X-3-3 

 

Our Hosts:

Amy Pearlman, MSW, LICSW 

Amy Pearlman is a quintessential social worker with a strong desire to improve healthcare outcomes. She believes that the best way to support the largest number of people is through engaging the community of providers and allies. She has transitioned between provider and payer settings over the course of her career to develop her clinical skills and maximize her empathy of provider experience, with the mission of aligning perspectives around a shared focus and goal to improve healthcare for individuals and families.  Her clinical expertise is in crisis intervention, community based care, and clinical program design.  Amy believes that healthcare is strongly tied to the health of care providers and is proud to support the healthcare system in this way.

Paul Deger, MA, LPC, PT

Paul Deger is a mindfulness-based intervention specialist. He has been in the healthcare delivery world for 35 years - first as a physical therapist, then as a licensed professional counselor. Paul has worked in a broad range of healthcare environments - inpatient, outpatient, ER and home-based. He also has served as a trainer for health care providers - covering clinical and self-care topics. Paul has seen - and experienced provider burnout - and has found sustainable ways forward. A life-long learner, he seeks out ways to exemplify being human and professional, accessing head and heart, balancing self-care and caring for others. To learn more about Paul, click here.

 

The Burnout Antidote is a co-production from Psych Hub and is brought to you by Janssen Neuroscience.

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