Psychoactive Substance Use Among Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Residents: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study of 50 Residents

Abstract

Introduction: Anesthesiology and intensive care residents face heavy workloads, repeated on-call duties, occupational stress, sleep deprivation, and access to potentially addictive medications. These conditions may contribute to psychoactive substance use. This study aimed to describe substance use behaviors and non-medical medication use among residents and characterize their working conditions.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 anesthesiology and intensive care residents using self-administered questionnaires. Information collected included age, sex, on-call duties, weekly working hours, perceived workload, stress, sleep, burnout symptoms, access to medications, education about related risks, and use of nicotine, alcohol, recreational substances, or medications and anesthetic agents for non-medical purposes. The survey also assessed residents’ awareness of medication-related risks and professional exposure. The primary outcome was at least one substance use behavior during residency. Findings were summarized as counts and percentages.

Results: Mean age was 28.9 ± 2.4 years, and 50% were male. Thirty residents (60%) performed at least seven on-call shifts per month, while 29 (58%) worked at least 60 hours weekly. High or very high workload was reported by 47 (94%), high or very high stress by 44 (88%), and fewer than six hours of sleep per night by 29 (58%). Burnout symptoms were reported by 46 (92%). Easy or very easy access to medications was reported by 33 (66%); 28 (56%) had received no formal education about associated risks. Nicotine use affected 29 residents (58%): conventional cigarettes in 14 (28%), electronic cigarettes in 16 (32%), and waterpipe smoking in 8 (16%). Alcohol consumption was reported by 27 (54%). Ten residents (20%) reported recreational substance use, including cannabis in 7 (14%), cocaine in 4 (8%), and MDMA or related substances in 3 (6%). Seventeen residents (34%) reported non-medical use of at least one medication or anesthetic agent, including benzodiazepines (8%), fentanyl (8%), propofol (6%), opioid analgesics (6%), psychostimulants (6%), and ketamine (4%). No non-medical use of nitrous oxide/oxygen mixtures (MEOPA) was reported. Overall, 44 of 50 residents (88%) met the primary outcome. Categories of substance use were not mutually exclusive.

Conclusion: Among surveyed residents, reported psychoactive substance use was frequent, particularly nicotine and alcohol use, in a context of substantial occupational stress, heavy workloads, sleep restriction, and burnout symptoms. As a descriptive cross-sectional study, these findings do not establish causality. They support the value of confidential screening, prevention, education about medication-related risks, and accessible psychological support tailored to anesthesiology and intensive care residents.