The Veterinary Surgeons' Health Support Programme (VSHSP) has been established by the veterinary profession to help combat problems of alcohol and drug abuse or addiction amongst a proportion of its members. The Programme aims to increase awareness by providing information and advice on alcohol and drug abuse and addiction and, for those in need of help to overcome an alcohol or drug problem, to provide guidance and assistance in procuring appropriate treatment and progressing successfully through the recovery process.

The Health Support Programme for veterinary surgeons is based on similar schemes which have been available to members of the dental and of the pharmaceutical professions, and have operated successfully, over several years. The essential components of the Programme are:

Awareness - informing and educating members and their families of the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse and addiction, and how to recognise the problem; and to make them aware that help is readily available. 
Identification - encouraging family, colleagues, staff or others concerned that a veterinary surgeon may have an alcohol or drug problem to seek help on his/her behalf, in total confidence.
Verification - accumulating sufficient substantive information to ensure that the veterinary surgeon has a problem and is in need of help.
Intervention - approaching the veterinary surgeon and, by a sympathetic but informed process, helping him/her to recognise his/her problem and to accept help. This approach will be undertaken by Programme Carers, at least one of whom will be a recovered alcoholic or drug addict.
Referral - arranging for the ailing veterinary surgeon to be referred for appropriate treatment.
Practical support - arranging assistance to deal with problems affecting the veterinary surgeon`s family, practice staff, etc., and, where appropriate, professional colleagues.
Peer and other support - establishing peer support for the veterinary surgeon during treatment and arranging for aftercare facilities, including introduction to Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous and to other health professionals in recovery.
Monitoring - maintaining contact with and providing encouragement and support when the veterinary surgeon returns to professional duties.

What are the day to day signs of addictive disease?

• Being withdrawn and not associating with former friends .. .. ..  
  
• Inappropriate dispensing and drug ordering
  
• keeping large stocks of controlled drugs in the surgery
  
• Deterioration in general health
  
• increased visits to the doctor   
  
• Reduced fee income
  
• Cancelling appointments without warning, especially on Monday mornings   
  
• Secretive about income and debts
  
• Smelling of drink or appearing unsteady   
  
• Domestic problems become evident
  
• Increased/numerous client complaints   
  
• Prosecution for drink driving etc.
  
• Deterioration in appearance or personal hygiene   
  
• Loss of interest in hobbies
  
• Correspondence neglected and bills not paid   
  
• Personality changes and mood swings. Nurses often notice this.

Because of denial, very few addicted vets ask for help themselves. Others who perceive the problem and recognise that a vet is incapable of asking for help often need to intervene.

The VSHSP is autonomous and totally confidential for those needing help and for those seeking help for others. Its primary purpose is the welfare of colleagues in need.

It is recognised that the path to recovery offered by the profession's own Health Support Programme is not the only one available to a veterinary surgeon but it is hoped that those seeking help or advice will make use of this freely available, confidential service by contacting the VSHSP Programme Co-ordinator on telephone number 01926 315119 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .