Will I Lose My Medical License If I Go To Rehab?

What Should I Do If I Am A Medical Professional With A Substance Abuse Issue?

If you are a medical professional with a substance abuse problem, the best thing you can do for yourself and your patients is to seek addiction treatment. Many professionals with substance use disorders (SUDs) fear the consequences of having been practicing as an impaired physician or impaired nurse before seeking treatment. However, the consequences for self-reporting and seeking treatment are often more forgiving than if a person was found to be working while impaired.

Even if a friend, colleague, or the Board of Medicine refers someone for SUD evaluation and treatment, treatment plans can be developed to provide treatment, maintain licensure, and protect patients.

Addiction Among Health Care Providers

Up to 15% of physicians suffer from substance use disorders, but nearly 75% are referred to treatment from external sources (not self-reported). The low percentage of self-reporting is often due to fear of professional implications, stigma, or a lack of awareness about how to report or where to seek treatment.

However, of those who undergo treatment under the supervision of physician health programs, 78% of physicians are licensed and working after their five-year follow-up. If you are a health professional struggling with substance use disorder, help and hope are available.

Will I Lose My Medical License Over My Substance Abuse Issue?

Having a substance misuse problem or addiction does not automatically mean a person will lose their medical license. Consequences due to addiction vary greatly on a case-by-case basis. Many physicians and other health professionals have been able to successfully recognize their substance misuse problem, undergo treatment, and resume medical practice after treatment.

Some people may face losing their medical license due to drug abuse, but it often depends on their actions and disposition while impaired and while undergoing review. The state medical board overseeing the physician may issue disciplinary actions depending on the gravity of the offense and the cooperation of the medical professional under review.

Physician health programs have become a standard for overseeing the treatment, consequences, and conditions of reinstatement to practice, protecting physicians from overly harsh disciplinary action while also protecting patients from malpractice.

Possible disciplinary actions given when a physician is found to have unprofessional conduct (including alcohol or substance abuse) include:

• Reprimand in the form of a warning letter of concern
• Administrative action
• Administering a fine
• Continuing medical education (CME) requirements
• Conditions for further practice
• License denial
• License restrictions
• License revoked
• License surrendered
• License suspended
• Probation

Any of these consequences are possible from the state board of medicine, but there may be other actions, restrictions, or results from a physician’s place of employment or if charges are pressed for malpractice.

Will I Lose My Medical Or Nursing License If I Enter Treatment?

A physician or nurse with a substance use problem can best help themselves and protect their license by entering treatment. In fact, most medical or nursing boards require impaired professionals to enter treatment as a condition for continued practice.

Entering treatment will not cause you to lose your license, but it is possible that other actions associated with your substance problem could have consequences for your license.

Seeking Rehab As A Doctor: License Implications

Seeking addiction help as a doctor brings hope and future safety for both you and your patients but there can be implications for licensure. As listed in the section above, a person’s license may be:

• Denied: In the face of renewal, a person may be denied renewal of their license.
• Restricted: A person can keep their license, but certain restrictions (such as loss of ability to prescribe) may be applied.
• Revoked: A person may lose their license immediately.
• Surrendered: A person may voluntarily relinquish their license, often in the face of an investigation or disciplinary action.
• Suspended: A person may lose the right to their license for a specific period, or a set of requirements is fulfilled, after which they may be reinstated.

When physicians participate in a physician health program, suspension of their license is a common implication until all the requirements are met. However, each case is determined individually.

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Can I Keep My Treatment Confidential?

Mandatory reporting of physician impairment exists in nearly every state, but confidentiality can be kept in some cases. For example, if a physician is already participating in a physician health program and enrolled through self-reporting, state laws may allow their identity to remain confidential from even the state medical board. Laws may vary from state to state, but the best chance for treatment confidentiality occurs when a person self-reports and engages with treatment willingly.

HIPAA privacy laws generally protect an individual’s confidentiality. Still, due to the risk of patient safety being compromised by impaired physicians, other state laws may override HIPAA privacy laws and mandate reporting.

Facing A Board Hearing Over Your License

Facing a board hearing over your license may feel daunting due to the potential consequences. A healthcare professional’s license status can change after a substance use problem comes to light, but the best way to approach a hearing is to do so honestly with an earnest desire for reconciliation and recovery.

Many physicians and medical board professionals understand that addiction is a disease that requires treatment, but treatment also requires commitment. It is common to experience physician substance abuse repercussions, but leniency may be more likely if you demonstrate sincere remorse and an earnest desire to follow through with treatment to ensure the safety of your future patients. However, there are consequences for dangerous acts committed while practicing medicine in an impaired state, and each impaired physician’s review is done individually.

What Happens After I Complete Rehab As A Medical Professional?

After completing treatment under the supervision of a physician health program, a person may continue to be on probation with heightened monitoring while resuming medical practice. One may be allowed to return to treating patients immediately but be required to undergo random drug testing or work visits for up to five years after treatment completion. Typically, physicians are also required to participate actively in a 12-step group, undergo psychotherapy, or attend other aftercare programs during the monitoring period.

In other cases, a lag period may be necessary between treatment completion and resumption of practice to ensure the ability to practice safely.

Addiction Treatment Options For Medical Professionals

Physician health programs are not formal addiction treatment options, but their supervisors ensure the best possible outcomes for both the physician and patients. Supervisors are not associated with any particular treatment center but help coordinate care and communication between the rehab facility, a person’s employer, and other legal or professional bodies that may be involved in the investigation of a physician’s substance use disorder. Therefore, addiction treatment can be completed at many local addiction treatment centers. Many treatment centers offer specialized recovery tracks for professionals, which may include a heightened level of confidentiality.

As with other addiction treatment plans, treatment for medical professionals with addiction may occur with hospital programs, residential programs, intensive outpatient programs, or other levels of care. Healing from addiction requires individualized treatment planning that is developed after assessment.

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If you are a medical professional struggling with substance misuse, get help today. Many addiction programs can discretely and professionally help you heal from addiction and maintain your medical practice.

Honesty in the face of legal implications can go far, and getting treatment for your addiction is the best thing you can do for yourself and your future patients. Contact a treatment provider to discuss your rehab options and start your recovery journey today.