Nurses On Amphetamines.. What do you think about this???

[Monica RN,BSN]

I have an interesting thought that crossed my mind for some crazy reason.... Whatcha Think of this......

In our community there is a weight loss clinic that has literally hundreds of people who go there.

Been around for 20 years!!!

This clinic is doctor supervised, and the person is monitored medically and gets labs done through out. The person can go here and the doctor will see the patient on every fourth visit, ( once a month) You see, the patient goes once a week to be weighed and pick up the prescription of amphetamine, ( type and dose varies according to patient) This clinic gives out only 7 pills at a time, so the patient can come back every week for the "checkup and weighing...."

Ok, here is the deal... This is a popular clinic.... I know many many coworkers from several places who go here. They are technically "under the influence of a controlled substance" but have no problems in job performance or otherwise, ( They claim it gets them through a busy 12 hour shift though.. QUICKLY.. )

... I am sure it does....(Hummm...)

Any one subjected to a random drug test would be cleared on the bases it is legally prescribed by a local doctor.

Now my thought, what do you think about nurses working under the influence of amphetamines????

Concern?? or no big deal since it is legal.......

Thanks for reading.............

[night owl]

The need for more is what I'm saying. After awhile, one pill won't cut it, Doc may increase the dose. I've seen this happen to someone dear I worked with. Eventually she had to go to rehab. She became a psychotic mess! She's ok today thank God.

Sorry, but I wasn't comparing apple to oranges. The CNA was just a story and how drugs affected his work performance, heroine being his drug of choice. Amphetamine use on the other hand can get out of hand if one isn't careful. This nurse went to other doctors and other pharmacies to fill her prescriptions, but the only person she fooled was herself.

[passing thru]

Aren't people on amphetamines the ones' they used to call

"speed freaks?"

[fourbirds4me]

I was just wondering because of the drug test question... I know that ritalin and other drugs are helpful and a must for those with ADD/ADHD but drug screens are gonna test positive for amphetimines... just wondered if that was a problem for anyone?

[Monica RN,BSN]

Hasn't been a prob for these girls, as they have legal scripts from a local doctor.

[cometothecradle]

i had a friend who used Amphetamines to get thru nursing school. She got them online, she was stick thin but entered a heavy number for her weight and got the drug. It really helped her, but I think it's messed up to do that to your body. She barely ever slept, or ate. She would run around and did seem

"stimulated", she would practically run when she walked. She also had panic attacks, and was very emotional. That's all my experience with those drugs

[jude11142]

Originally posted by Louie18

Has anyone worked with anyone on Methadone?

I have worked with people who are on Methadone and I don't see it impairing their judgement or endangering patients. I don't mean for this to be biased and I am sorry in advance it it sounds it, but those who are on methadone were put on it for chronic pain and not for maintance due to drug abuse. When I did some volunteer work at a methadone clinic, what I learned and observed was that many clients would take xanax with their med to produce a "high" and they would be nodding out and definately would be a danger to others and in no way should be in a position where they are responsible for others wellbeing. I have found that patients who are on methadone for chronic pain are often stigmatized by others who are not educated in the treatment of chronic pain.

I find that being on methadone does not automatically mean that one shouldn't be in nursing. I would hope that anyone who is on strong meds would be responsible enough to realize if their meds are putting themselves and others at risk. I do believe that most are. I know several nurses who decided to leave their job which included daily patient contact for the reason that they felt their meds put their patients and coworkers at risk. I respect them for making such a responsible decision. But, everyone is different and their bodies react differently. One may be able to function on a certain med and another may not.

Just my opinion,

JUDE