Drug abuse among resident doctors.

240 young doctors undergoing a residency programme in a medical school in India were individually interviewed for pattern and extent of drug abuse. Drug abuse was operationally defined as "Indulgence in a drug with a frequency of at least once a month without medical prescription". Of the doctors 30.4% were categorised as drug abusers currently, 14.2% had used one or the other drug in the past, and 17.9% had never used any drug. A significantly higher level of abuse was observed among male doctors (37.1%) than female doctors (2.2%). Alcohol was most commonly abused (17.9%). Minor tranquilizers were abused by 17.5%. None of the doctors was abusing any substances on a daily basis. No hard drugs were abused. Common reasons for alcohol intake were for the sake of company and curiosity. Minor tranquilizers and amphetamines were taken for their pharmacological effects.