<p>
	The 50 doctors, dentists and pharmacists treated for addiction and mental health problems last year are likely to be the &quot;tip of the iceberg&quot; of health professionals with similar issues, it emerged yesterday.</p>
<p>
	Dr Ide Delargy, a Dublin GP, estimated that more than 2,000 of the 25,000 professionals in the country have issues, including drink and drug problems.</p>
<p>
	She was speaking at the launch of the first annual report of the Practitioner Health Matters Programme, an independent charity organisation which provides a free, confidential service.</p>
<p>
	Health professionals can have higher suicide rates and the ready access to powerful drugs is an added complication.</p>
<p>
	Doctors accounted for the majority of those who were supported last year and alcohol abuse was the main reason for referral.</p>
<p>
	Others were abusing over-the-counter drugs or painkiller medicines.</p>
<p>
	Other professionals suffered from depression, anxiety, bi-polar and delusional disorder.</p>
<p>
	&quot;They can be very slow to come forward to declare that they may have a mental health or alcohol or drug-related problems due to fears about reputation and confidentiality,&quot; Dr Delargy said.</p>
<p>
	In one case a doctor, with a young family, was binge drinking at weekends, suffering financial problems and stress.</p>
<p>
	A GP attended seeking help with burnout and was under financial pressure.</p>
<p>
	Another involved a young doctor who was the subject of a complaint to the Medical Council. She felt dejected and a short period off work was recommended. The doctor was helped and is now back at practice.</p>
<p>
	Dr Delargy said: &quot;They generally present when in crisis, often having tried to self-manage and self-medicate their problem.&quot;</p>
<p>
	The highest number were in their 30s and 50s. Women accounted for nearly half those who were treated and tended to be in their 20s or 60s.</p>
<p>
	One doctor spoke of how they had turned to self-medicating as a coping mechanism for insomnia and stress.</p>
<p>
	Nearly half came forward for help themselves and the rest were referred by a psychiatrist or colleague.</p>
<p>
	More than half continued to practise and others took a break from work for a period but have since returned or plan to do so in the future.</p>
<p>
	The service is non-judgmental and complete confidentiality is assured. &quot;We want to get the message out there that health professionals in difficulty can come to us to have their health needs met,&quot; Dr Delargy said.</p>
<p>
	&quot;Early intervention is key and while taking that first step can be extremely challenging for the person involved or their friend or family, it can also be lifesaving.&quot;</p>
<p>
	Statistics show recovery rates are very good.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 5th April 2017)</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/stressedout-doctors-turn-to-drink-and-drugs-in-rise-of-mental-health-issues-35594873.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/stressedout-doctors-turn-to-drink-and-drugs-in-rise-of-mental-health-issues-35594873.html</a></p>
