This blog post summarizes a deeply personal and transformative session from the 2026 Diversion Symposium. Dr. Steve Leuck, a clinical pharmacist with 39 years of experience, shares his journey through addiction, the “double life” of an impaired practitioner, and a revolutionary vision for how healthcare institutions can support recovery. To watch the session recording, click here.
The Hidden Spectrum: Shifting from Disciplinary to Recovery Pathways
Most hospital diversion programs are built to be reactive – designed to catch, investigate, and discipline. But Dr. Steve Leuck’s story challenges us to look at the human cost of this model. After practicing for nine years while battling a severe substance use disorder (SUD), Steve has spent the last 30 years in successful recovery.
His session at the symposium wasn’t just a memoir; it was a call to action for hospitals to build a “Recovery Pathway” that exists alongside the standard disciplinary one.
The Reality of the “Double Life”
Dr. Leuck described his early career as a masterclass in “advanced learned behavior.” By excelling in regulatory affairs, clinical practice, and leadership, he created a shield of professional excellence that masked his growing impairment.
- The “One-Time” Trap: His addiction began with a single dose of opioid cough syrup to treat a cold while working a shift – a decision he justified as “treating himself” because he was a pharmacist who “knew the code.”
- The Mask of Competence: For years, Steve maintained the appearance of a responsible director of pharmacy while privately terrified and “crawling out of his skin.”
- The Fear Factor: Like many, Steve believed that asking for help was a career-ending move. This fear keeps 80% of impaired providers from voluntarily disclosing their condition before they are caught in diversion.
A New Institutional Framework: The Recovery Pathway
Dr. Leuck argues that if 10-15% of healthcare providers will experience SUD in their careers, institutions must normalize the conversation around recovery. He outlined a three-legged structure for a proactive approach:
1. The Confidential Referral System
Organizations should prioritize a trusted way for providers to seek help before diversion occurs.
- The Difference: In a Recovery Pathway, a voluntary disclosure (even if it involves prior diversion that hasn’t been caught) leads to treatment and a clear, supported return-to-work plan. In a Disciplinary Pathway, the outcome is often immediate termination and legal action.
2. Internal & External Alignment
For a pathway to work, HR, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), and department leadership must be on the same page.
- Leverage Experts: Hospitals don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Aligning internal policies with state-sponsored Pharmacist/Provider Recovery Programs (PRPs) ensures that the clinician is held to rigorous, measurable standards of abstinence and therapy.
3. Culture and Policy
“Structure dissipates without policy,” Steve noted.
- Normalize the Conversation: celebrate success stories. If a provider has successfully returned to work after recovery, sharing their journey in a hospital newsletter can break the stigma.
- Written Clarity: A provider should be able to look up the hospital’s policy and see exactly what happens if they volunteer for help.
The “Five-Year” Gold Standard
Steve detailed the rigor required to return to practice. His own recovery involved:
- Weekly peer support groups with other physicians, dentists, and pharmacists.
- Random, daily drug testing calls for five years.
- Unannounced Board of Pharmacy inspections.
- Strict practice boundaries (e.g., initially working only when another pharmacist was present).
This structure isn’t just about monitoring; it’s about transformation. Dr. Leuck noted that providers who graduate from these programs are often some of the most focused, grateful, and engaged members of the clinical team.
Self-Reflection for Leadership
Dr. Leuck left the symposium with a challenge: Ask your staff to describe your hospital’s diversion policy. They will likely have an answer. Then, ask them to describe the pathway for seeking help for addiction. If the second answer isn’t as clear as the first, your organization has a silent risk.
How can your institution bridge the gap between “catching” diverters and “recovering” colleagues?