When faced with a strenuous period in life, people develop coping mechanisms. However, some mechanisms can be disastrous such as drinking. Compassion fatigue is no exception with substance abuse being one of its behavioral signs. Substance abuse is “well known to …have a negative effect on their family” (www.drugs.ie), and robs the ability of the provider to relate with family. The effects of compassion fatigue on health care professionals is a natural response to witnessing repeated trauma over a lifetime. However, it is inexcusable to live with the effects of compassion fatigue. It is the obligation of the health care provider to seek help, not just for their own sake, but for the sake of those they affect in and out of the clinical
