Women Physicians and Addiction.

Doctors get addicted just like other people and female doctors have earlier addiction and develop worse medical conditions.

Researchers compared case histories of 969 male and female (13%) substance dependent doctors. Their conclusions; “These findings suggest different characteristics between male and female impaired physicians which may have implications for identification and treatment of this population.”

The comparison revealed that females;

  • Were younger by 4 years (mean 40 years)

  • Had 15% more medical problems (49%), and

  • 13% more psychiatric issues (76%)

  • More past suicidal ideation (52% v 30%), and

  • Current suicidal ideation (11% v 5%)

  • Had attempted more suicides (20% v 5%) while intoxicated, and

  • Had attempted more suicides (14% v 2%) while clean or sober

  • Mainly abused alcohol, but

  • Were more likely to use hypnotics (11% v 6%)

  • Employment and legal problems (65% and 18% respectively) were similar in both genders

Research report; Women Physicians and Addiction. Martha J. Wunsch, Janet S. Knisely, Karen L. Cropsey, Eleanor D. Campbell, Sidney H. Schnoll. Journal of Addictive Diseases, Volume: 26 Issue: 2

Bloggers comment; This research mainly parallels sex differences in the general population which shows that women suffer earlier addiction and greater medical problems.

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