According to a recent study published in the National Library of Medicine, medical students face a rate of drug addiction like that of the general population and populations of students in other college and university programs. Medical studies are no antidote to substance abuse. Part of the cause of drug addiction among medical students undoubtedly has to do with the extraordinary demands of medical education. Other factors may contribute, including the perseverant and, at times, compulsive personalities of many medical students. The very fact that medical students are learning how to administer drugs for therapeutic effects, and student access to sources of those drugs, may also contribute to higher drug addiction rates. No matter the cause, though, drug addictions affect many medical students.

Common Drug Addictions Among Medical Students

The above National Library of Medicine study suggests that medical students abuse alcohol, marijuana, study drugs, and other substances in patterns like those of their peer populations. More than ninety percent of medical students consumed alcohol and over a quarter consumed marijuana sometime in the prior year, while a third of medical students will have consumed five or more drinks at one sitting sometime in the prior two weeks. The study showed that significant percentages of medical students use other drugs beyond the common alcohol and marijuana, including amphetamines and sedatives, and in much smaller percentages, designer drugs and cocaine.

The Impact of Drug Addiction on Medical Students

Drug addiction can have a serious impact on a medical student's ability to complete the program of medical education. The above National Library of Medicine study reported “interpersonal altercations, serious suicidal ideation, cognitive deficits, compromised academic performance, and driving under the influence of substances” as impactful consequences. The consequences, though, of drug addiction among medical students aren't just cognitive, social, and criminal. The most impactful consequence may be the medical school's misconduct charges against the offending student.

Medical School Discipline

A medical student might ameliorate all of the above consequences in a relatively short time with due attention. But if cognitive deficits, fights, or criminal charges cause the medical student to suffer suspension or dismissal from the medical program, the student may have no available route for recovery. The impact could be the end of the student's dreams and ambitions to become a medical doctor in active clinical practice. The loss could be everything the student has invested. Yet astoundingly, the above National Library of Medicine study showed that as many as forty percent of medical students are unaware of their school's policy against substance abuse.

National medical student defense attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm have helped hundreds of students nationwide, including medical students and students in other professional programs, overcome personal struggles and defend and defeat misconduct charges. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now to retain Attorney Advisor Lento and his expert team to get the skilled and experienced help you need to preserve your medical education in the face of substance abuse-related misconduct charges.