Anyone an addictions nurse?

I work in inpatient (physical) rehabilitation, but I often feel like I'm a drug rehab/addictions nurse, lol!

I think a lot of jobs in nursing spend a whole lot of time dealing with this problem that patients commonly have. It's trying to say the least!

In a previous life (it seems) I was. I enjoyed it however it is hard as many people have such a difficult time staying sober/straight. There are many who come back and others you hear about dead of OD or suicide, or other causes.

Alcoholism will force you to know all the body systems completely.

Remember the rule: Alcoholics minimize multiply drinks at least by 3 and always ask sizes of drinks. I could tell you some great stories of this.
Drug addicts maximize. They usually think if they say more you will give something to help them detox.

Go to some AA and Al-Anon meetings and get a feel for some recovery. You will need the pos. reinforcement or you will get burned out seeing the same thing too frequently.

I am not sure it is a great fit for a new nurse. All are manipulative and if you are not secure in your position it will be smelled out immediately. If you are a little older and maybe less naive it will be a help. It was in my case.

You might want to consider asking some questions to the recovery nurse forum. They may have insights that I don't recall too quickly. Like I say, it was a while ago.

It's not easy but it's an excellent field. These people are street smart and manipulative but it's easy to win their trust if you've got some experience, strength and hope.

Best thing to do is start hitting 12 step meetings to learn the lingo and really, really get in to it. The 12 steps could apply to anything that feels unmanageable in your life; the funny things is it works (almost scary like magic it works). It's a very spiritual program (not religious) so the main thing and the entire purpose of the 12 steps is to reconnect people with their higher power (as opposed to a substance or unhealthy focus which used to be their higher power).

One of the first things is Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) which is exhibited by forgetfulness, severe sometimes mood swings, sexual arousal/desire (look out for that-they've been numbed now they're body is awake so they're lookin for "some" both male and female alike).

I don't sweat the deaths; they serve as a reminder to the living that it only works if you work it. I've lost many many many patients, friends, family but what can i do about that? How many die in the ICU when I was working there?

I love the field but you CANNOT be a codependent or it will throw the unit out of balance and you will find yourself being the focus of a lot of chaos. It's weird how therapeutic community treatment can identify everyone's problems.

Patients call me on my stuff just like I call them on theirs. It's very different and when a patient rightfully calls me on a fault (if they're right) I congratulate them for their insight and tell them to feel free to continue but also look at themselves. We have a good time amidst the combat, manipulation, drama, sex, deaths...

It's a field like no other and it will typically be extremely dysfunctional amidst the miracles going on. Every unit will need those who understand addiction and its symptoms well. It's a very interesting field and very rewarding (I helped one homeless guy...outside work...get a car, get a job now he owns a house). It's different cause you may very well be friends with a patient who comes in. Remember confidentiality!

Addictions is my specialty of choice. I have worked in the area for the last 5 years though I'm currently taking a break from working so I can pursue my BSN-MSN full-time. It can be a very rewarding job and sometimes a very frustrating one as you "spin dry" patient x for the 5th time in 4 months. I think it is like most areas of mental health nursing, if your called to it even the hardest days end up being worth it.

Sue, RN

By choice I pursued
a Masters Degree in Addictions Nursing
and by choice
I've remained working on an
acute, inpatient adult psych unit
whereby I give direct patient care
to both psych and dual-diagnoses patients.

I also teach clinical to undergraduate
nursing students on
both psych and detox units.

I find both areas of work
stimulating and challenging.
I've learned what pushes my buttons
and am STILL developing
therapeutic communication skills
and strategies to deal with my patients.

I like it

I will be in 2wks. I just accepted a position in a clinic and am really looking forward to learning a lot. I know I will be able to help my community. For me to have the opportunity to help addicts as a nurse is actually something I haven't thought about until I saw that job listing. (For the past four generations, my family, mostly the men, are all alcoholics. I understand the hard times as a family member when it comes to dealing, living with an addict.) I am Looking forward to the challenges and rewards.

After meeting the staff and getting a little insight on how rewarding it is to help someone recover, I really believe this is for me. I'm thinking about doing my BSN in addictions/Psych and getting my CARN as well.

Enjoy your day,
HardTimes.

wow, this all sounds really interesting. Seems like a great specialty to get into as well. Congrats on the new position HardTimes!

Where do yall work at? I live in Indiana, and would love to do addictions nursing especially b/c my dad is an addict. I have been a nurse for a year and a half, and the last year have been working on a cardio-surgical med surg floor. Thanks for the great posts-really insightful!

I work in pa at the best addictions facility in the world