Support Networks
Sick Doctors Trust
www.sick-doctors-trust.co.uk (SDT) 0870 444 5163
The SDT is an independent charity established over 12 years ago, which provides a 24 hour helpline manned exclusively by experienced doctors who are either in recovery from addiction themselves, or trained counsellors.
It provides help and support to doctors who think they may have a problem with their use of alcohol or other drugs, whether prescribed or not. Calls are treated with strict confidentiality, and callers may remain anonymous if they wish.
Help offered includes assessment, advice, referral for treatment when appropriate and introduction to long term befriending and support services. The helpline also accepts calls from family members or friends, concerned colleagues, PCT officers and others.
The British Doctors and Dentists Group (BDDG )
Contacts: 07976 717211 North of England; 07711197850 South of England or via the Sick Doctors trust helpline: 0870 444 5163
This is a countrywide network of doctors and dentists at various stages in recovery from addiction, who are well again and who meet on a monthly basis at one of 18 groups covering the UK.
Following initial contact, callers may be put in touch with a doctor (in some cases another anaesthetist) nearer to their home who may then introduce a new doctor to the group prior to the next meeting.
Problems can be discussed at these meetings which it may not be appropriate to discuss at meetings of AA or NA for instance GMC proceedings and issues surrounding return to work etc.
Useful for anaesthetists returning to work after suspension for instance, but not staying in anaesthesia.
Health Professionals Support Group
Contact (Joe) 01327 262 823
Offers help to doctors, nurses, pharmacists and dentists. Three groups meet monthly in Preston, Sutton Coldfield and Chertsey – there are plans for more groups to run in the future. As with other groups, these are both informal and confidential.
Alcoholics Anonymous
UK helpline : 0845 769 7555, www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
To find a meeting and contact in your area either at
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/meetings/wtf.html or by phoning the local helpline number in Yellow Pages.
Narcotics Anonymous
National Helpline 0845 3733366 or 020 7730 0009
www.ukna.org or http://www.na.org/ips/eng/IP7.htm
Narcotics Anonymous is for recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. It is not restricted to those with opiate/narcotic abuse problems as the name may suggest, but any drug including tranquillisers, recreational drugs and alcohol. Website contains some questions and information for those who think they may have a problem.
The majority of AA or NA meetings are ‘closed’ and are for recovering addicts/alcoholics and those who think they may have a drug problem. A meeting described as ‘open’ may be attended by anyone eg. Professionals working with addicts or family members, friends etc.
Do you think you may have a problem? Check lists:
Drugs http://www.na.org/ips/eng/IP7.htm
Alcohol http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/newcomer/What.shtml
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