We recently discussed how members of the medical profession sometimes use alcohol and drugs to treat the stress of their jobs as well as treat depression, anxiety, and other conditions. This tactic could backfire, however, creating even more stress and other conditions.
Abusing drugs and alcohol can also lead to other problems. Some of these problems are legal. Just possessing some drugs is against the law. You can be arrested for public intoxication. If you’re drunk or high and assault someone or cause an accident that hurts someone or someone’s property, you could also get into legal trouble.
Drug- and alcohol-related legal problems could also hurt someone’s
- Career. Professional associations might temporarily suspend or permanently ban members who have legal problems, or they may lose clients or patients because their problems.
- Finances. Legal problems could require people to hire lawyers, pay fees and fines, and result in other costs. People with legal troubles often miss work if they are meeting with lawyers, appearing in court, or even serving time in jail.
- Reputation. This is related to the other two categories. People might think less of people who have experienced drug-related and alcohol-related problems. Other people might be reluctant to use their professional services, which could hurt their careers and earning power.
Substance use disorder doesn’t just affect doctors, nurses, dentists, and other medical professionals, of course. People in all professions struggle with drug and alcohol abuse. But medical professionals are in unique positions because they work in places with available drugs and can often even prescribe drugs themselves.
Their positions of respect and authority means that sometimes people don’t suspect medical professionals of having drug and alcohol problems until it’s too late.
Medical professionals may initial receive a free pass about such suspicions, but if something does happen, they could face repercussions. Authorities could strip them from their medical licenses. If the incidents are severe enough, authorities could also sentence them to prison. Substance use disorder can touch—and can damage—so many aspects of a person’s life.
