Physician’s Recovery Network (PRN)

The Goal of PRN is to aid this person in getting the help they need to resume their lives and careers, and to live life to its fullest.

Members of the podiatric medical family (including, but not limited to: students, staffs, family members and of course the podiatric physician) who think they, or someone close to them, may have a problem with impairment. Impairment includes substance abuse, as well as other physical, mental or emotional problems.

The PRN provides confidential peer consultation, assistance, and referral where applicable to treatment and support facilities. Most of the problems encountered are those of substance abuse; however assistance with depression, anxiety, marital problems, family issues and physical impairments is also offered.

As stated earlier ALL members of the Podiatric Medical Family in the United States are covered by the PRN. PRN is entirely voluntary and has no enforcement authority, nor any responsibility to any enforcement entity. Those members of the Podiatric Medical Family who feel they, or someone close to them, may have a problem, which interferes with their ability to fulfill either their professional, or personal responsibilities may use this program.

Addition information about addiction:

Addiction is a disease. It is a biogenetic chemical defect, which affects the Neurotransmitter, and the Limbic Center of the brain. Although it may, and usually does, create behavioral problems, addiction, not the behavior, is the primary disease.

It is the only disease, which the patient must make the diagnosis for recovery to begin.

Caregivers and health care professionals are 400 times more susceptible to the disease then the general population; this has little to do with access and much to do with the personality and intelligence of caregivers.

The average recovery rate from the disease is slightly less than 10%. Among caregivers the long-range recovery rate is more than 80%.

When a member of the Podiatric Medical Family has questions or needs help for themselves or someone in trouble, the process is initiated by calling the PRN Helpline, toll free at 1-800-488-4767. If a PRN member is present the call will be answered directly, if not it will be returned promptly and in a confidential manner.

Referral to PRN comes from any colleague, student, office staff member, family member, College, State Board, state or local association, or through self-referral.

This is one of the finest examples of how APMA cares for its members, and of its commitment to all members of the Podiatric Medical Family.


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