Due to the challenges of their profession, medical professionals account for a large portion of people struggling with substance abuse. There are several common signs and symptoms that can indicate an underlying issue.
Changing Job Performance
A healthcare professional has a critical duty to help heal their patients and their performance on the job is vital to their medical facility. When their job performance begins to slip or become unreliable, substance abuse may be a factor.
Unpredictable Behavior and Mental State
Emotional outbursts and mood swings are an indication that a medical professional may be suffering from a substance abuse issue. When they show an unwillingness to cooperate with colleagues or suddenly become careless in their job, it can quickly become problematic for staff and patients alike. Additional signs of substance abuse can be memory lapses, nervousness, and social isolation.
A Focus on Medication
When a medical professional suddenly shows persistent interest in their patients’ medication, this is often an indicator of a substance abuse problem. Volunteering to aid high-dose patients, being unable to account for missing medication, frequenting medication carts, and falsely reporting spills are all red flags.
When a medical professional’s job performance, behavior, mood, and attention to medication have noticeably changed, it is imperative to take action. The medical professional may be suffering from a challenging substance abuse disorder and may require professional intervention.
If you know a medical professional struggling with addiction, speak to a professional today. Turning Point of Tampa’s goal is to always provide a safe environment and a solid foundation in 12-Step recovery, in tandem with quality individual therapy and groups. We have been offering Licensed Residential Treatment in Tampa since 1987.
