It is often difficult to identify an impaired colleague.  The list below includes signs and symptoms; one or more may indicate substance abuse or chemical dependency in an anesthesia professional.  Once identified or if you have any questions, see Getting Help, or call the helpline (800) 654-5167 for assistance.

Identifying Impaired Colleagues

The following patterns of behavior and consequences are associated with substance misuse and dependency:

• Comes to work during scheduled time off and loiters around departmental drug supply
• Isolates and withdraws from peers
• Takes frequent bathroom breaks or disappears while on duty
• Expresses desire to take extra call
• Increasing or unexplained tardiness or absenteeism
• Gradual decline in work performance
• Consistently signs out more narcotics than peers
• Displays patterns of inappropriate drug choices and dosages
• Increasing mood liability with frequent, unexplained anger and overreaction to criticism
• Increasing difficulty with authority
• Becomes forgetful, unpredictable, confused, and lacks concentration
• Suffers from frequent illnesses or physical complaints
• Exhibits dishonesty, often over trivial or unimportant matters
• Makes elaborate excuses
• Suffers from tremors or "Monday morning shakes"
• Reveals evidence of alcohol or drug use, such as odor of alcohol on breath, heavy perfume or mouthwash, wearing long sleeves
• Appears intoxicated at social functions
• Is discovered comatose or dead