Cocaine abuse is not only a global problem, but it is becoming more and more prevalent among physicians. Addiction medicine specialist Lisa Alloju says that cocaine is not only one of the most commonly abused stimulant drugs in the country, but physicians are turning to cocaine at an alarming rate. It is quite common for professionals who make quite a bit of money to abuse cocaine, including doctors, attorneys, bankers, athletes, and others. Many of these professionals develop expensive daily habits that run into the thousands of dollars each month. But the higher price that they pay can be seen in not just their sad financial state, but also in their loss of physical health, estranged relationships with their friends and family, and sometimes even the loss of the right to practice medicine, law, or other careers that they have spent their entire lives training for. Sadly, some will pay a higher price when they succumb to cocaine abuse and wind up dead.

Impaired Physicians

An impaired physician is not just a danger to himself, but to his patients as well. Dr. Alloju describes an impaired doctor as one who is no longer capable of fulfilling his or her responsibilities due to illness or dependency on drugs or alcohol. About fifteen percent of physicians will experience impairment during some point in their careers. And although the rate of impairment is no higher for physicians than it is for other professionals, there are factors in the physicians’ training, personality, and background that may make them more susceptible to drug abuse than others. A great number of physicians suffer from depression and anxiety, and many are overachievers who possess astonishing industriousness. In fact, many physicians will denounce having any personal problems at all. And while these are ideal traits for anyone who practices medicine, they can add to the physician’s vulnerability for impairment. Coupled with the fact that the physician is likely skillful at disguising and denying symptoms of addiction, identifying the physician who is impaired can be challenging at best.

Signs to Watch For

The signs that any person is abusing the stimulant drug cocaine vary, but most commonly the abuser will experience changes in mood, going from a state of euphoria and happiness to an irritable state and then back again. The abuser’s pupils will be dilated and they tend to perspire excessively. They may be talkative and laugh a lot, and they may find it difficult or impossible to sit still. With more advanced abuse, the cocaine abuser may begin to experience hallucinations and paranoid delusions, and may suffer from stroke or heart attack due to their use of cocaine.

Consequences

The job of the state medical board in any state is to protect the public from harm at the hand of the physician who is impaired. The state medical board is also equipped to assist physicians with addictions in recovering from substance abuse and in maintaining their recovery. Each board is structured differently, but has similar guidelines. In the state of Texas, for illustration, an impaired physician may face penalties and reprimands that restrict their ability to practice medicine. His license can be suspended and he may be required to attend treatment programs and be subjected to random drug tests. Physicians who do not cooperate or that test positive for drugs may be further punished or be stripped of their right to practice medicine at all.

Treatment

Abusers of cocaine more often than not will need to attend an inpatient treatment program to overcome their addiction. These programs may last for six months or longer. Other abusers may be treated as outpatients in a treatment facility. According to Dr. Alloju, no current FDA-approved medications for cocaine abuse exist. There are some medicines that are used to treat cocaine addiction, however, and they work by controlling cravings for the drug.

Prevention

Dr. Alloju stresses that preventing abuse and addiction is important for at-risk doctors. This is especially true of physicians who have a family history of addiction. The importance of teaching youngsters the dangers of drug use and the need for abstinence with precursor drugs like nicotine, alcohol, and marijuana, is likewise important in the prevention of abuse.

Prognosis

Cocaine abuse that is correctly identified and subsequently treated among medical professionals who wish, voluntarily, to remain drug-free, has a bright prognosis. Monitoring of the physician’s addiction and recuperation by their state’s medical board increases their chances of a full recovery. Many physicians, with the right help and treatment are able to return to the medical field and enjoy a productive and satisfying career.