Follow-up of Provision of Inpatient Treatment for UK Healthcare Professionals with Alcohol Dependence: Snapshot of a Pilot Specialist National Health Service

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 t...