[JohnBearPA]

Originally Posted by CASbeezgirlRN

So... say your suspicions are true... Please go to your manager first. She will know what to do. In most states ther are programs designed to assist nurses with substance abuse/alcohol problems. Whatever you do, please do NOT report this to your state's BON. If this is needed, your manager/facility will do this. The manager/facility should be well informed about how to handle theses situations. So by notifying them, you can rest easy and feel that you have done your part in keeping patients safe.Beez

I agree with going to your NM first, but believe me, not every facility reports to the BON. I worked with an RN at my LTC that was given the option of resigning from her last job instead of having it reported to the BON. This same nurse diverted drugs from her pt's at my facility, including my Mom, who was a pt there. I caught her literally slumped over her med cart, stoned out of her mind, knees locked to keep her upright, drooling so much there was a puddle on top of the cart, and reported it immediately to the DON, who came in, sent this nurse home, and again, gave her the option of resigning. I REPORTED HER to the BON when I found out that it wasn't going to be done by my facility.

I did that for several reasons. One, I was PO'd that my mother, who was on hospice in end-stage vulvar ca, wasn't getting pain control, and two, if someone didn't step in, this nurse would have just gotten another job, and continued, possible hurting a pt or herself in the process. I was also SURE she was using, and didn't just go on a hunch. Had I had any doubts, I wouldn't have reported it.

I've had the pleasure to work with some recovering nurses, and would rather work with a good recovering nurse any day than have a nurse that was only there for the paycheck. Also, my heart goes out to those recovering nurses. They constantly have to prove themselves, and are often the first to be blamed for anything, med related or not. God bless any recovering nurse that chooses to stay in the field, theirs is a constant battle I can not even imagine!

[Cattitude]

I am glad this thread is getting more replies and that they are supportive, believe me this is one recovering nurse that is grateful.

JohnBear, I am sorry that your Mom was sick and caught in the middle of that horrible situation, It's amazing that you still have such a compassionate attitude towards recovering individuals, bless you.

I guess there is no perfect solution, most nurses that I have spoken to say they that in hindsight they are glad they were caught, that it helped get them treatment.
I have just heard horror stories of nurses being dragged out of facilities in handcuffs and I don't think it needs to happen like that.
But I also don't think a nurse should just have the option of resigning and thats it. Thats kind of what happened to me. I was given no information about any help, even though my facility had the info. They never reported me either.

Luckily, I got myself into a detox, then an outpt program specifically for nurses. I also do a peer program for nurses and 12 step. I found all this info on my own and all voluntary. I would have sought help much,much sooner if I hadn't been so afraid of 1) the repercussions 2) what other health professionals would think of me.

So now, I am recovering and learning, and one day want to help other nurses in trouble....

Beez

[JohnBearPA]

I applaud all of the nurses that went and got help, whether it be voluntary or state mandated. Addiction is a disease, and needs to be treated as such. It can have a horrible stranglehold on people, and nurses are not immune. My father is an alcoholic, as are several people in my family, so I can understand the addiction.

I have nothing but respect for nurses that recognised their addiction and sought help to overcome it. I applaud you CASbeezgirl, you not only sought help, but choose to help others in the same boat. God bless you, and thank you for helping others the way you do! You are certainly in my prayers.

[burn out]

My heart and sympathy goes out to those nurses that have drug addictions and I praise the ones that have gotten help to get over their problem. However I believe drug addiction is very similar to alcohol addiction and it is temptation that one will always have to fight. What would be the success rate for recovering alcoholics that took up occupations as bartenders and cocktail waitresses..is the temptation too strong? Nurses with drug addictions does not just affect them, their actions affect the patient, co-workers, hospital, and physician therefore it is not "just about them". If I can not trust my co workers then I don't have a very good team to work with. It is a matter of trust, honesty, and integrity..how do you gain that back once it is lost?.

[Cattitude]

Originally Posted by burn out

My heart and sympathy goes out to those nurses that have drug addictions and I praise the ones that have gotten help to get over their problem. However I believe drug addiction is very similar to alcohol addiction and it is temptation that one will always have to fight. What would be the success rate for recovering alcoholics that took up occupations as bartenders and cocktail waitresses..is the temptation too strong? Nurses with drug addictions does not just affect them, their actions affect the patient, co-workers, hospital, and physician therefore it is not "just about them". If I can not trust my co workers then I don't have a very good team to work with. It is a matter of trust, honesty, and integrity..how do you gain that back once it is lost?.

You have valid concerns. I can't speak for everyone, for myself, i left hopsital nursing and went into an area where I have no access to narcotics (actually minimal if any). I have had no problems in my current position and there are literally no temptations.
For those that do go back into the hospital area , if they are in a treatment program, they are closely monitored and usually have narcotic restrictions on their license for a specified amount of time. It's a step by step process with the nurse earning back the privelege a little at a time.

Beez

[pickledpepperRN]

I work with a womderful nurse whose first nursing job after more than a year was with us. For several months, as a condition of licensure, she was not allowed access to controlled substances. Our unit at that time still had a narcotics drawer, not a Pyxis.

She was ans is now one of our best. Because she needed assistance from others to administer narcotics and hypnotics to her patients she consistantly volunteered to help us with lifting, answering lights, or starting an IV

A relative who is a leader in his anonymous group tells that statistically licensed nurse, RN/LPN/LVN, have the lowest relaps rate. Much better than physicians or any other category.

[Phenomenon]

This is the hardest thing I have ever done. I am that nurse. a drug addict. I am currently on the wait list for detox to start tomorrow and rehab to follow. It is such a horrible thing. I never stole from pts, not that that makes it OK. I took large quantities of pills for a long time and was almost a relief to be caught. Like thank god, i can stop this! If you do know of or suspect a drug user at work, please understand that they are seriously crying for help, the hate themselves and what they are doing and that you would be doing the biggest favour of their lives to talk to them directly about it and/or assist in getting them help and/or going forward to the DON or management. Every day I lived with shame, guilt, and fear of being caught, ingesting approx 100-150mg oxycodone per day! All while going on with my daily life. There may be no obvious signs. As your body becomes more adjusted to the drugs, you actually NEED them to function and can function just as well as anyone else. it is if you don't have them that's the problem. i would drive, take my daughter to school, fieldtrips, work, etc. Never once did I appear intoxicated. It was pharmacy that caught on to me. My hubby didn't even know! What started as a pain problem quickly turned into lying and deceit and an addiction spun so far out of control there were days I didn't want to go on anymore and the serious self-hatred for being so weak. Whay can't I just stop!! I am starting my journey tomorrow, wish me luck. From someone who has been through it, it is a a battle like no other and I wish that other nurses would be more supportive of their peers that may have gone through the same thing. Because I am sick of living this way and I am going to work damn hard everyday to prove myself back to my family, coworkers, god, and most of all myself. Thanks for listening

[Drifternurse]

CUDOS TO YOU, Phenomenon, for getting into detox and rehab! I had a friend with a drug addiction; when she lost her nsg license, she couldn't fathom what she would do with her life, what career besides nursing she would or could ever go into. So she committed suicide. (I learned of the severe drug addiction AFTER her suicide.) I was so unbelievably shocked and saddened that she hadn't sought some kind of rehab. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!

[Phenomenon]

I cant thank you enough for your words of support, Drifternurse. It is people like you that help the ones like us, going through difficult times, to keep in mind that there is a light at the end of tunnel. I know it will be the hardest thing to do but in the end is the best thing for my life. i know there will be some kind of nursing for me when I am done treatment, probably not in a hospital setting or anywhere with access to narcs. i would rather have it that way.

Thanks again

[Katnip]

Phenomanon, Congratulations on taking those first steps. It's got to be very difficult to do.

And to all of you struggling with this, I hope things get better each day for you.