Substance abuse and mental health professionals are at risk of “compassion fatigue.” How do they stay healthy so they can be there to help for years to come?
Professionals who work in the fields of mental health and substance abuse (especially those who deal with dual disorders and confront both on a daily basis) are at a particularly high risk for professional burnout. A phenomenon known as “compassion fatigue” can occur when the pressure from their daily work begins to erode their outlook and attitude, interfering with their personal life and overall well-being.
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For medical professionals battling substance abuse, going back to work can make them the proverbial kid in the candy store. It’s the equivalent to sending a recovering alcohol back to their job as a bartender. This factor is believed to play a role in the increased relapse rates among healthcare professionals. After all, they’re surrounded by the very substances that were the problem in the first place.