Physicians confront alcoholism regularly. Indeed, nearly every day on my hospital rounds, I treat patients who are suffering the ravages of alcohol abuse. While these patients may have a genetic predisposition toward alcohol abuse, or faced other personal pressures and demons, ultimately the disease is initiated by a person who made an unfortunate decision. I do not judge these individuals as their doctor, any more than I do my hepatitis C patients who contracted the virus as a result of intravenous drug use. But, when are examining the causes of these maladies, personal responsibility and accountability must be considered. In fact, failure to do so will frustrate our efforts to prevent various injurious addictions. Physicians and others have heard the vignette when an alcoholic denies his addiction despite that every other person in his life feels otherwise. “They are all wrong,” he states emphatically. 'I can quit anytime.' There are many ex
MD Whistleblower presents vignettes and commentaries on the medical profession. We peek 'behind the medical curtain' and deliver candor and controversy in every post.