Substance abuse potential and job stress: a study of pharmacists, physicians, and nurses.

A study was conducted to assess the substance abuse potential of pharmacists, nurses, and primary care physicians, as well as the relationship between perceived job stress and substance abuse potential. Data was collected via a questionnaire mailed to 2,951 health professionals randomly selected from across the United States; a 42.1% response rate was achieved. Responses to the Hoffmann-Lumry substance abuse screening scale indicated that 17.2% of the actively practicing health professionals would be classified as high likelihood substance abusers. For all three professions studied, substance abuse potential was significantly related to scores on the Health Professions Stress Inventory.