Re: Did I do the right thing? Originally Posted by Keysnurse2008 
I read someof your responses to threads...and also some of these links you gave me. It kinda makes more sense now. I have always wondered what the attraction was for some to drugs,.I mean I dont exactly see any well educated nurse looking at a homeless crack addict , unkempt,...etc etc saying to theirselves "Gee whiz why cant I look like that?". Lol...so thank you it helped. The way you describe it....it is almost like a jigsaw puzzle brain....missing one tiny peic eof the puzzle. It functions everyday unaware their is a missing peice ....till one day it gets the missing peice temporarily ( the alcohol or drug).....and once the peice is removed.........you continue to search for it( the missing peice) so that you will be " whole" again. I mean I had never thought of it like you put it...so thanks. You think about schizophrenics and clinical depression and the whole chemical imbalance they have ........so ....it makes sense. Thank you....just heard today he is wanting to leave his program. Says he now doesnt have a problem......but the people with his state peer assistance group here in Tx have probably dealth with that before.
I'm glad the info was helpful. And yes, I guarantee you the board of nursing has heard it all before, which unfortunately makes it difficult for nurses with chemical dependence who work a solid program of recovery. Part of the symptoms of addiction includes
pathological denial, emotional instability, compulsive use of their drug of choice (or others when they can't get the one the want), lying about use and other issues, especially when it comes to their drug of choice. Once the "crisis" that got them into treatment passes, their denial pops back up...stronger than ever.
It takes 18 months or more of abstinence for the brain to recuperate. This is why the treatment modality of choice is INPATIENT for 30 - 90 days (the longer the better). It provides the protection they need and assists them in learning about the disease when their brain has had time to "calm down".
As I've said in other posts and in my lectures...we do everything bass-ackwards when it comes to this disease. When discussing treatment of a chronic, progressive, potentially fatal disease...we know the earlier we recognize it and begin definitive treatment, the better the chance for remission. What do we do with addicts? Wait until they "hit bottom", and then treat them with less than optimum protocols. It's as though everyone loses their mind when it comes to this disease. It's about as unethical and unprofessional as you can get. Can you imagine treating someone with HIV/AIDS, Epilepsy, Hansen's Disease, or a sexually transmitted disease in this fashion? My goodness! There would be all sorts of protests and outrage! Justifiably so. This is exactly why I do what I do.
Jack
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