Posted by jealibeanz on May 4, 2007, at 11:10:11
In reply to Re: Doctors = The-Anti Xanax, posted by Klavot on May 4, 2007, at 10:41:41
> I often wonder how many doctors themselves take benzodiazepines, and what mechanisms are in place to prevent them from becoming addicts themselves, since they can just prescribe themselves the drug, or live off samples given to them by pharmaceutical representatives, etc.
>
> Klavot
MD's and DO's can write for themselves in the US. There are a few restrictions, but benzodiazepines aren't one of them. (They can't prescribe marijuana for themselves.)Depending on the state, NP's and PA's can write some scripts for themselves, but there are definitely restrictions. They have restrictions on certain controlled drugs in many states as it is, and I'm not sure that any state would allow them to self-prescribe benzodiazepines.
I think the only way a doctor would get in trouble is if a colleague brought it to the attention of a medical boards, HR, etc. Doctors do have a sort of anonymous reporting system when they suspect another has a susbstance abuse problem or any other condition that it dangerous to themselves and their patients.
Maybe the DEA would question it. I don't know. That would look awfully suspicious if a doctor were self-prescribing benzo's. (I'm not saying they shouldn't take them, but shouldn't be monitoring themselves.) Some doctors get their license revoked when it's been found out that they were prescribing controlled drugs to friends (who's give them back to the doc), under false or dead patient names, etc. There must be a reason why they'd go to such lengths, so maybe they do fear the DEA.
I don't think many doctors have benzo samples. If they do have them in the office, they'd be locked. It would be hard for a doctor in a hospital or group practice to do any of these things.
Here's my gripe:
When push comes to shove you KNOW doctors would take Xanax if they needed it. If they suddenly had major anxiety and couldn't function well enough without drugs, they probably would start an SSRI and a benzo. If the SSRI didn't work or wasn't tolerable, they'd probably just go with the benzo, because they know it works and works well.
I just look at some of the burnt out doctors I know and think, they're definitely going to get themselves some proper meds, if they haven't already done so. I know a few who had to leave practice or significantly cut back because of stress/anxiety/depression. Why would they go med-free when they are aware of the options?
poster:jealibeanz
thread:755715
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070502/msgs/755756.html