[Elvish]

I definitely think addiction is a disease, no matter what you are addicted to. My heart goes out to anyone recovering from any addiction. It runs rampant in my family, esp EtOH abuse. So I have to keep wine, beer, etc. out of my house & out of my life. Kudos to you all who have overcome and are still overcoming your own battles.

[caliotter3]

The interest in and diversity of replies to this thread indicates a need for a forum devoted to nurse addiction and recovery. Brought this idea to the attention of the administrator.

[gitterbug]

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">Addiction is a disease, addicts cause themselves and their loved ones more problems than anyone can believe. As I write this a family member's ashes were scattered early this AM according to his wishes. Now, we are left to wonder if there was anything else we could have done, any way we could have been more caring, or helpful, or kind, or strong. His suicide note said he could not face another day of torment, so he blew his brains all over his bedroom. His was a mixed addiction, alcohol and drugs. So, even though I know He was in a downward spiral and would never really get well because he could not conquer his demons, I will miss him and wish there was some way we could have had one more day.
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[Cattitude]

Originally Posted by caliotter3

The interest in and diversity of replies to this thread indicates a need for a forum devoted to nurse addiction and recovery. Brought this idea to the attention of the administrator.

I completely agree. I belive it's been asked before and denied. i think TPTB think it will become an area where too much medical/legal info is asked but that's why there are mods just like in all other areas.

Drugs and alcohol in nursing have become a serious issue that are not just going to go away. It would be great if the biggest nurses site would also lend it's support as well. Or at least fair shakes to the subject.

[Cattitude]

Originally Posted by gitterbug

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">Addiction is a disease, addicts cause themselves and their loved ones more problems than anyone can believe. As I write this a family member's ashes were scattered early this AM according to his wishes. Now, we are left to wonder if there was anything else we could have done, any way we could have been more caring, or helpful, or kind, or strong. His suicide note said he could not face another day of torment, so he blew his brains all over his bedroom. His was a mixed addiction, alcohol and drugs. So, even though I know He was in a downward spiral and would never really get well because he could not conquer his demons, I will miss him and wish there was some way we could have had one more day



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I'm so sorry for your loss.

[sandygator]

Originally Posted by burn out
This is why I do not like to work with nor do I think rehabiliated drug users need to be floor nurses.

I am a recovering addict/alcoholic, and a 33 year veteran of nursing. Celebrating 10 years of sobriety, thank God for that! My patients are lucky to have me, and you'd be lucky to work with me. :hatparty:

[kmblue39]

As a nurse who worked with a nurse last year who was diverting narcotics I can tell you that I greatly resented being put in that postion of working with that nurse, depending on them at night as integral part of the healthcare team, and not knowing how they put all of their coworkers and patients at risk. I don't care if they are functioning 'normally'. And I would have a hard time ever trusting them again. Of course they didn't mean to do it, and never meant to cause any harm. Just like the drunk driver who injures or kills someone didn't mean to harm anyone. You shouldn't be working under the influence or driving under the influence. My two cents worth being said, I can tell you from personal experience some of the symptoms:
-pink pad/towel on the floor of the shower in the staff bathroom.
-very helpful to the point of doing things for you, without even being asked.
-Wearing long sleeved shirts under the scrub top and NEVER rolling the sleeves up, evem during the messiest of tasks.
-Signing the MAR for nartotics not supposed to give (LVN=no IV narcs.)
-Stable pts. not on pain meds for days then all of a sudden getting them as often as ordered.
-Narcotics taken out on your patients that you don't know about/didn't give.
-Taking PCA syringes out on patients already discharged. (Profile stays in the machine for a while after D/C).
-Frequent trips 'downstairs' or frequently disappearing for any length of time.
-taking the 'wrong' narcotic out, 'putting it back' and then the next person to take the 'wrong' one out creats a discrepancy.
-VERY hyperactive behavior.
I reported it and would do so again if necessary to protect my patients and coworkers. I'm all for recovery, etc., etc., but why should I now have to cover a recovering addict for all narcotics admin. on his/her patients when I have my own patients to cover, any LVN's, on the floor, and agency nurses (who aren't allowed to access the nacotics). Seems to me better for everyone concerned to get help, get in recovery, and then return to work in a setting free of all narcotics. Sorry this is so long. Still traumatized over last years events.

[sheilagh]

Definitely report your suspicions to your NM and let her or him follow up.Their are many warning signs,but most you don't see until you look back and go " Doh!",frequently absent from floor or frequent bathroom trips,their pt's consistently need pain meds the most when they work,always willing to give pain meds for other nurses to "help them out". But sometimes the signs are the most innocent thing and have no bearing to drug use,ex:worked with a nurse who was in the bathroom every hour on nights,CN reported suspicions and it turned out she had urinary issues and had to straight cath herself!

As for the poster that feels she can judge others let me say this,only God and myself can judge what I have done and unless you can walk on water you don't fall into that category! I have been clean and sober for 18months amd have fought every inch of the way to regain myself,my life, and my career.I will soon be returning to nursing and will treat my pt's and license like gold.Their but for the grace of God go I, you never know what will happen in your life,you may dismiss recovering nurses as unworthy,but what about the nurse that may give negligent care and not think twice because they don't care,or the nurse that may abuse their family at home and you have no clue when you work with them! Recovering addict nurses have bleed sweat and tears to keep uor license and work under such stringent rules that most non addict nurses would crack under them.
I just hope someday when you need someone's forgiveness they don't judge you too harshly

[Cattitude]

Originally Posted by sheilagh

Their but for the grace of God go I, you never know what will happen in your life,you may dismiss recovering nurses as unworthy,but what about the nurse that may give negligent care and not think twice because they don't care,or the nurse that may abuse their family at home and you have no clue when you work with them! Recovering addict nurses have bleed sweat and tears to keep uor license and work under such stringent rules that most non addict nurses would crack under them.
I just hope someday when you need someone's forgiveness they don't judge you too harshly

You make very good points and I completely agree with you when you say "you never know what will happen in your life".
How true that is. None of us in recovery ever planned to become addicts. It really can happen to anyone.

Congrats on 18 months Clean and keep moving forward!!!

[kmblue39]

Funny how words can be twisted around. I never said drug addicted nurses aren't worthy. I said get help, get in recovery, and then get a nursing job where there isn't a need to be exposed to narcotics. Of course all those things are true. No one ever knows everything that is going on is someones life. Of course deliberately negligent or abusive nurses should be reported and take the consequences. Everyone should no matter what the situation. Why would someone want to go back to work where there are narcotics readily available all the time? To prove they are more worthy because they are having to fight the temptation to keep from falling off the wagon? I'm sure the drunk driver never meant to become an alcololic and end up killing the little kid at the bus stop. I'm sweating bloody tears trying to keep my license under the load of responsibility I have. Does that make me less worthy than the nurse who has abused the trust placed in them by their patients, coworkers, families, administration, america?