Doctors' drug abuse reduced during contingency-contracting treatment

Alcohol Drug Res. 1985;6(4):299-307.

Abstract

Fifteen drug-abusing doctors each directed their psychiatrist to mail to their licensing boards a pre-prepared license-surrendering letter if any of a series of urine samples contained drugs. The doctors also received other, individualized treatments. Profound reductions in drug use occurred. Seven patients did not relapse at all during the 2-year (average) follow-up, and 4 others experienced only very brief relapses. Four licenses were suspended temporarily by contract, but 6 were suspended or revoked for other reasons. Other reports on such patients reveal some adverse outcomes, and two of these patients had adverse outcomes after relapsing and discontinuing treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diazepam
  • Diphenoxylate
  • Humans
  • Licensure, Medical
  • Male
  • Meperidine
  • Middle Aged
  • Physician Impairment*
  • Recurrence
  • Substance-Related Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / urine
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Diphenoxylate
  • Meperidine
  • Diazepam