If a physician makes a mistake while practicing, it can cause injury and even death to patients. This is why it is of the utmost importance doctors overcome their addictions. Mistakes can lead to having to defend themselves against malpractice suites. A physician does not want to find himself on the other end of a Los Angeles malpractice action. Malpractice can be damaging to any physician’s reputation and increase their malpractice insurance premiums drastically.
There are rehab facilities just for addicted doctors, who are in no condition to continue working. These rehab facilities are known for taking extra care for privacy. Sadly the medical profession’s statistics for addiction are high. The benefit of seeking treatment alongside other physicians with addictions is that there is someone who can understand you situation and who can relate to the pressures and access to drugs which are unique to the medical profession. Doctors in treatment can truly relate to what the person is going through.
It takes great courage for a doctor to come forward and admit he has an addiction and needs help. It is a terrifying time in the physician’s life for fear of damage to his reputation and individual practice. Facing the addiction, seeking treatment and following through will far outweigh the costs if the addiction is allowed to continue
