Psychiatric Comorbidity and Physicians With Substance Use Disorders: Clinical Characteristics, Treatment Experiences, and Post-Treatment Functioning

Abstract

Objective Treatment of substance use disorders in physicians has become a highly specialized clinical practice. The recognition of comorbid psychiatric disorders for physicians with substance use disorders has been slower to evolve than with the general field of addiction treatment and service research. This study examines the role of psychiatric comorbidity for physicians with substance use disorders along a number of dimensions. Methods Seventy-three (73) subjects were assessed on initial clinical characteristics, treatment experiences, and post-treatment functioning variables. Results and Conclusions The percentage of physicians suffering from comorbid psychiatric disorders was 60.3%. These physicians scored higher on indices of psychiatric severity but not on indices of substance use severity. Treatment experiences were similar. The physicians with psychiatric comorbidity were equivalent to those with substance use disorders alone on most follow-up measures but continued to report higher levels of psychologic distress. Future research and clinical initiatives are recommended.