The misuse of alcohol and other drugs by doctors

Every few days another addicted doctor comes to light in Britain. A report from an alliance of health professional bodies, led by the British Medical Association and published last month,1 highlights the risk posed by such doctors to the general public and calls for better preventive education and awareness. It fails, however, to prioritise the need for improved treatment for addicted doctors.2 This need arises from the special problems facing addicted doctors compared with other addicts and their special treatment needs, which ordinary addiction services do not serve well.