Prevention of relapse in the recovery of Arizona health care providers

This project gathered survey information from physicians, physician assistants, dentists and pharmacists in Arizona who, while enrolled or following a completion of a monitored aftercare program, had relapsed back to active chemical dependency.

In general, survey respondents were male, averaged 52 years of age, had relapsed several times and started abusing illicit drugs and alcohol in high school or college.

The findings suggest several subjective factors that contributed to the subjects’ relapse included;

dishonesty to self,
not working a 12 step program, and
denial of the problem.

Factors reported to be helpful for future relapse prevention were

abstinence from substance use,
working a 12 step program, and
having spiritual beliefs.

By identifying the specific causes of relapse, future studies may attempt to decrease the percentage of health care providers who relapse by recognizing signs of problematic behavior before they occur.