Doctors and alcohol misuse

The media continue to draw attention to the perceived high level of alcoholism among doctors and its effect on their work. In 1998 the BMA reported that the misuse of alcohol and other drugs by doctors impaired professional competence and constituted a potential threat to patients.1 It has been suggested that misuse of alcohol and drugs by doctors is the major component of concern about the conduct, performance, and health of the medical profession.2

Since the 1980s, alcohol has become relatively cheap and widely available. It was calculated in 1990 that even if doctors had the same alcohol consumption as the general population, almost 4000 doctors were drinking at levels sufficient to impair their professional functioning.3 The effects of alcohol use on function and its propensity to impair professional skills and judgment are reflected in the increasing risk of mistakes occurring as alcohol consumption rises. At blood concentrations of 80 mg/100 ml, the legal limit for driving, it is estimated that the risk of an adverse incident occurring is doubled. At 100 mg/100 ml, the accident risk is increased tenfold.4 Doctors' mistakes can lead to needless suffering and death.