Doctors found to be abusing cocaine

Some 23 per cent of those with addiction problems were hooked on drugs while 77 per cent were dependent on alcohol.

Almost one in three (29 per cent) of those reporting mental health issues had depression, 21 per cent had anxiety and 34 per cent had a problem like an eating disorder.

Six health workers who sought help through the scheme had undiagnosed psychosis, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

The information was revealed yesterday as chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson hailed the success of the London-based service, which is likely to be replicated in other parts of the country starting with Newcastle and Avon.

Following contact with the scheme – which gives confidential help to medical professionals battling their own health and mental problems – 77 per cent were able to stay in work or return to the profession.

More than eight out of 10 (82 per cent) of those with alcohol problems were not drinking 12 months after the start of the scheme, while 88 per cent of those with drug issues were not using them after a year.

The programme is one of the first of its kind in the world, and has seen better results than similar schemes in Poland and Canada.

Dr Clare Gerada, medical director of the Practitioner Health Programme (PHP), said doctors and dentists often tried to treat themselves, and so accessed specialist services "incredibly late". Worries about confidentiality, impact on careers and stigma stopped doctors coming forward, she added.

The scheme saw 184 health workers i n the first 12 months of operation, roughly half men and half women (53 per cent men, 47 per cent women).

Most (91 per cent) were doctors, followed by dentists (eight per cent), and two other health workers. Most (62 per cent) had mental health problems, 36 per cent had an addiction and two per cent had physical illnesses like cancer or multiple sclerosis.

Dr Gerada said: "Two thirds of the doctors with addiction had problems with alcohol but among the others we are seeing every drug under the sun, every drug you have ever heard of we are seeing coming through the door – ketamine, methadrone, amphetamines, heroin. A whole range of substances."

The doctors and dentists are treated in confidence unless something they say suggests they are likely to harm themselves or one of their patients.

Following contact with the scheme, five doctors or dentists stopped work.