Every year, over 5,000 public health teams, workplaces, GP surgeries, pharmacies, hospitals, charities, and other community groups across the UK sign up to take part in Alcohol Awareness Week run by Alcohol Change. As a charity, we are using this campaign to raise awareness about how we can help pharmacists in need of support.

Addiction amongst healthcare professionals

Addiction is defined by the NHS as not having control over doing, taking, or using something to the point where it can cause harm to the individual. Addictive behaviour is a type of addiction where the individual affected is compelled to take part in specific behaviour(s) repeatedly, regardless of the potential negative consequences. From our recent joint 2022 RPS and PS Workforce Wellbeing Survey, 16% of respondents had reportedly been concerned about addiction or addictive behaviours in the last year, of which only 3% has sought support.   

Many studies have been undertaken in America to explore and understand the prevalence of addiction amongst healthcare professionals. One recent study found that between 8% and 15% of doctors, nurses, and pharmacists have abused or misused drugs or alcohol in the workplace. They also found that for the addicted professional, this can lead to isolation, secrecy, and a reliance on one primary addictive relationship with drugs or alcohol to fulfil all their needs.

Exposure to high-stress situations, such as emergency crises, and emotional exhaustion can cause medical professionals to seek comfort in the form of alcohol and/or drugs. Here in the UK, healthcare professionals face similar pressures to those in America. These include long hours, high workloads, and staff shortages. We understand getting treatment isn’t always a simple process for pharmacists. The fear of losing your job or your registration may keep you from getting the treatment you need to recover. However, our work with pharmacists to overcome addiction points to the high level of success rates for people who do seek help.