Doctors - a bunch of addicts!

During orientation we were required to attend a lecture on substance abuse. Apparently we are at a higher risk of developing an addiction. I guess it makes sense; I have already felt the immense pressure of performing academically. I think this pressure to fulfil obligations extends into the working world. I can imagine that the amount of pressure will not decrease I once I qualify, but the type of pressure may change slightly. You can't fail; you can't misdiagnose. To misdiagnose means to let the patient down, possibly break your oath, or even directly (or indirectly) be involved with the loss of a life. "Life" - something held in high esteem by both the individual and greater society. "Life", that one commodity that doctors try to preserve and possibly improve the quality of. Yes, the pressure is on...

I can see the addictions already. We have smokers, exercise "enthusiasts" and those that abuse food. There are other addictions too, I am sure, but these are ones that I am most commonly encounter. I too have an addiction - sweet foods. That's right, chocolate and biscuits are my drug of choice. I can't seem to get through one day without them and I most certainly can't study without them! I have also come across a nifty little aid called the "caffeine tablet". I have never been a coffee drinker and I don't think I will leave medical school as one either - despite the numerous comments that my aversion to coffee will be transformed by medical school!

I can only hope that I can modify other aspects of my lifestyle to counteract the effects of my food dependence. I consider this one of the mildest forms of dependence as it's side-effects are relatively manageable. However, I question whether this lifestyle could lead to diabetes later on in life, even with regular exercise. Eating vast amounts of foods high in sugars HAS TO negatively impact long-term insulin release...

Another observation I have made is that medical students are vast in their backgrounds, characters and preferences - just like the rest of the population. Was I expecting anything different? How could I?! The stereotype is not actually that prominent (I mean the one of medical students ONLY studying, dressing and behaving conservatively). Yes, MOST of us spend a great deal of time studying, but medical students have tattoos; wear incredibly short dresses/skirts, astonishingly high-heel shoes, or masses of make-up. I have to add that these individuals will not necessarily be flawed doctors. On the contrary, I believe that they could possibly be extraodinarily gifted physicians! Medical school teaches you so much more than human biology or disease processes...

Last comment: one observable trend seems to be that most medical students study hard and party hard!