Biography
I studied medicine between 1982 and 1998, with an intercalated degree (Cambridge University) in Social and Political Sciences. After qualification, I did initial medical and surgical jobs in gastroenterology and ear, nose, and throat surgery, both of which involved a lot of contact with patients who had problems with drugs or alcohol. I then moved to the Oxford University Department of Psychiatry where, funded by the Wellcome Trust, I had a three-year doctoral research post studying the epidemiology of eating disorders. I returned to full-time clinical training in psychiatry at the Bethlem and Maudsley Hospitals, progressing to a Clinical Lecturer post in addictions and then to my first consultant post in the specialist substance misuse services for the London Borough of Lambeth In 2003 I moved to a second consultant post in Gloucestershire, with a mixed rural and small town population. In these posts, I have worked with both NHS Trusts and third sector organisations. I am co-author of the British Association for Psychopharmacology evidence-based guidelines for the pharmacological management of substance abuse, harmful use, addiction and comorbidity; and have been a member of the working groups for other current guidance in the addiction field (Better care for people with co-occurring mental health and alcohol/drug use conditions (Public Health England); and Drug Misuse and Dependence: UK Guidelines on Clinical Management (UK Department of Health and Social Care)).
Declaration of interests
Sarah is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. In an unpaid capacity, she has been a member of the working parties for UK Government guidelines in the addiction field, including those for people with drug use disorders (Department of Health and Social Care), for people with co-occurring mental health and alcohol/drug use conditions (Public Health England), and for people with alcohol use disorders (Office for Health Improvement and Disparities – forthcoming).
