Drug Abuse by Healthcare Workers Term Paper by scribbler

Drug Abuse by Healthcare Workers
A look at the drugs that are typically abused by healthcare workers.
# 152976 | 797 words | 5 sources | APA | 2013 | US


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Description:

The paper reviews the literature and finds that many of the same healthcare workers who are responsible for providing healthcare services for substance abusers may become abusers themselves based on ready access to prescription drugs or in response to the stressful conditions in their workplace. The paper identifies the types of drugs that are typically abused by healthcare workers and reveals that some healthcare workers also engage in other substance abusing behaviors involving legal drugs such as alcohol or illicit drugs such as cannabis.

Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Healthcare workers who abuse drugs may have a preference for a certain type of drug or they may simply be opportunists, opting to seize the chance to obtain illicit or prescription drugs when they are available. For instance, Wartell and La Vigne (2004) emphasize that, "Healthcare workers are in a unique position to acquire and abuse prescription drugs. While many offenders steal drugs while working, others steal prescription pads or write illegal prescriptions for friends" (para. 4). Indeed, the U.S. Department of Justice emphasizes that, "The abuse of prescription drugs--especially controlled substances--is a serious social and health problem in the United States today. However, the last people we would suspect of drug addiction are health care professionals--those people trusted with our well-being. Yet health care workers are as likely as anyone else to abuse drugs" (Drug addiction in healthcare professionals, 2010, para. 2).
"Depending on their positions in the workplace, healthcare workers routinely come into contact with prescription medications that are intended for inpatients in hospital or clinic settings. For example, Wartell and La Vigne also note that, "Healthcare workers are susceptible to prescription drug addiction and fraud. Pharmacy workers and healthcare providers, both of whom have easy access to prescription drugs, sometimes steal them" (para. 3)."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Clancy, K. (2004, March). Reducing trauma's toll: Managers in fields such as security must be aware of trauma-related stress and find ways to assist employees in dealing with it. Security Management, 48(3), 30-31.
  • Drug addiction in healthcare professionals. (2010). U.S. Department of Justice: Office of Diversion Control. Retrieved from http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/ brochures/drug_hc.htm.
  • Mason, T., Carlisle, C., Watkins, C. & Whitehead, E. (2001). Stigma and social exclusion in healthcare. London Routledge.
  • Petersen, T. & McBride, A. (2002). Working with substance misusers: A guide to theory and practice. London: Routledge.
  • Wartell, J. & La Vigne, N. (2004). Prescription fraud. Center for Problem-Oriented Policing. Retrieved from http://www.popcenter.org/problems/prescription_fraud/.

Cite this Term Paper:

APA Format

Drug Abuse by Healthcare Workers (2013, May 01) Retrieved December 07, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/term-paper/drug-abuse-by-healthcare-workers-152976/

MLA Format

"Drug Abuse by Healthcare Workers" 01 May 2013. Web. 07 December. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/term-paper/drug-abuse-by-healthcare-workers-152976/>

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