TY - JOUR
T1 - Follow-up of Provision of Inpatient Treatment for UK Healthcare Professionals with Alcohol Dependence
T2 - Snapshot of a Pilot Specialist National Health Service
AU - Gross, Samantha R.
AU - Wolff, Kim
AU - Strang, John
AU - Marshall, E. Jane
PY - 2009/11
Y1 - 2009/11
N2 - Alcohol dependent healthcare professionals (AHCPs) entering a specialized National Health Service (NHS) inpatient treatment facility in southeast London, UK, were investigated. A retrospective case-note analysis was conducted, supplemented with a postal questionnaire. Twenty-three mature (mean age 46 7 years; 13 male) AHCPs, 82% of admissions, with a mean duration of alcohol dependence of 16.5 years were followed-up at an average of 26 months postdischarge. Half of the sample met criteria for lifetime psychiatric disorder Physical illness was also a prominent problem. At follow-up, six professionals reported continuous abstinence since discharge. For those who continued drinking, there was a significant reduction in daily quantity consumed. This study suggests that the absence of an adequate treatment infrastructure and administrative resources have a major impact on access to treatment services and outcomes for addicted healthcare professionals. There is a need for supported and dedicated services for this group within the UK National Health Service. The study's limitations are noted.
AB - Alcohol dependent healthcare professionals (AHCPs) entering a specialized National Health Service (NHS) inpatient treatment facility in southeast London, UK, were investigated. A retrospective case-note analysis was conducted, supplemented with a postal questionnaire. Twenty-three mature (mean age 46 7 years; 13 male) AHCPs, 82% of admissions, with a mean duration of alcohol dependence of 16.5 years were followed-up at an average of 26 months postdischarge. Half of the sample met criteria for lifetime psychiatric disorder Physical illness was also a prominent problem. At follow-up, six professionals reported continuous abstinence since discharge. For those who continued drinking, there was a significant reduction in daily quantity consumed. This study suggests that the absence of an adequate treatment infrastructure and administrative resources have a major impact on access to treatment services and outcomes for addicted healthcare professionals. There is a need for supported and dedicated services for this group within the UK National Health Service. The study's limitations are noted.
U2 - 10.3109/10826080902961609
DO - 10.3109/10826080902961609
M3 - Article
VL - 44
SP - 1916
EP - 1925
JO - Substance Use and Misuse
JF - Substance Use and Misuse
IS - 13
ER -
