TACKLING ADDICTION HEAD ON

摘要

Addiction is a very real risk for veterinarians who are suffering from stress, anxiety or depression. According to recent studies, veterinary practitioners are most commonly affected by psychological stress and have an increased risk of alcohol and drug abuse compared to their colleagues from non-clinical sectors such as administration or industry. Meanwhile, the British Medical Association estimates that one in 15 healthcare professionals will develop an addiction problem. At the recent NEAR conference, the audience heard about rising levels of substance addiction and alcoholism among professionals - such as lawyers, doctors and vets - from Rory O'Connor, a Limerick native who has established a range of self-help support programmes for health professionals in the UK. Rory - a psychiatric nurse, a psychologist and a counsellor, has been working with health professionals and veterinary surgeons with addiction problems for over 15 years. He is currently responsible for the veterinary surgeon helplinein the UK - an initiative set up by the Veterinary Benevolent Fund. He is also centrally involved in setting up health protocols through the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and, from an educational point of view, he attends veterinary schools to give lectures on mental health and addiction.