ADD meds while on diversion?

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I have been previously diagnosed w/ add but do not take any medication currently for it. I have been on strattera (a non-amphetamine med) which did nothing for me. I am thinking about going back to school while my license is inactive and would like to get on a medication. I am wondering about taking an amphetamine-based med while on diversion. I am scared to even bring it up to my case mgr. Does anyone have experience w/ this type of thing or any ideas about what to do?

Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

In my state, you would not be allowed. We are not allowed to take any potentially addictive drugs/medications. I am not even able to take something for sinuses (like Sudafed) as it has the potential for abuse, etc. I was dx'ed with the same and have learned to use non-medicinal methods for helping with my concentration and focus. I work in an open office with lots of cubicles and I will admit by the time I get home at night, my head sometimes hurts from all the concentrating I've been doing all day, trying to pay attention to my clients and not all the damn conversations around me! LOL.

In my state, you would not be allowed. We are not allowed to take any potentially addictive drugs/medications. I am not even able to take something for sinuses (like Sudafed) as it has the potential for abuse, etc. I was dx'ed with the same and have learned to use non-medicinal methods for helping with my concentration and focus. I work in an open office with lots of cubicles and I will admit by the time I get home at night, my head sometimes hurts from all the concentrating I've been doing all day, trying to pay attention to my clients and not all the damn conversations around me! LOL.

They can stop you from using your ADD meds? That doesn't sound legal....wouldn't it violate the ADA?

Specializes in OR, ER, Oncology, CPC.

Hmmmm. This would have to be brought by your CM. In our state the participant needs to see an addictionologist. Not sure how it is done anywhere else.

Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.
They can stop you from using your ADD meds? That doesn't sound legal....wouldn't it violate the ADA?

Well, folks with anxiety disorders are not allowed to take their benzos and folks with chronic pain are not allowed to take their pain meds while in the monitoring program. Just like some states will allow a nurse to take Suboxone while on contract, not ours. I live in a fairly strict state when it comes to impaired nurses. Our contract is 5 years, similar to Florida but I think Florida allows suboxone because we have a member in our nurse support group who was taking suboxone and in their program. He had to wean off it when he moved here and entered into our state's program.

And as for an addictionologist, I have never even heard of it mentioned in our state. I don't believe that they are used.

Specializes in Impaired Nurse Advocate, CRNA, ER,.
I have been previously diagnosed w/ add but do not take any medication currently for it. I have been on strattera (a non-amphetamine med) which did nothing for me. I am thinking about going back to school while my license is inactive and would like to get on a medication. I am wondering about taking an amphetamine-based med while on diversion. I am scared to even bring it up to my case mgr. Does anyone have experience w/ this type of thing or any ideas about what to do?

Check with the alternative program or the disciplinary program in your state for the answer. Or you might contact the nursing association in your state to see if they know the answer to your question. What applies in one state may not apply in another. Remember, the responses you receive here come from people in a variety of jurisdictions.

In some programs a valid prescription by an approved provider may be acceptable while in another state it might not.

Jack

You need to talk with your prescribing Doctor and see if it's 100% needed. Then contact your case manager. I know for a 100% fact that you can be in IPN in Florida and be on medication for ADD/ADHD. If your prescribing Doctor believes it is in your best interest to be placed on ADD/ADHD medication there is paperwork they will need to fill out. Your contract will have to be re-written to include this medication. I was in the IPN program for 3 years and was taking ADD/ADHD medication and never had any problems.

Well, folks with anxiety disorders are not allowed to take their benzos and folks with chronic pain are not allowed to take their pain meds while in the monitoring program.

What state are you in? In PA, you are certainly able to take those meds if they are prescribed by your primary physician. Although your primary is the only one who can prescribe meds for you (except in emergencies), and he/she must know about your involvement in the States' program.

Specializes in ER, Home Health, PCU, Med/Surg.

The fact is you can take any medication even narcotics while under a monitoring contract, you just cant work impaired or while taking the medication, you have to have a doctor who is aware of your participation prescribing the medication and you may have to do extra urines. This rule is to protect the public as is the goal of most states monitoring programs. Even nurses who are not in a monitoring program are violating most states practice act if they work while taking certain medications. Most dont even know it, i had a nurse tell me the other day that she takes lortab for chronic back pain every day, i personally think that is unsafe practice and impaired practice.

Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

I should clarify my earlier statement. If I need a surgery for something, yes...I am allowed to take pain meds for that. But I would be unable to take them daily while on a monitoring contract, even if prescribed by a doctor. I have a chronic pain condition and must manage it with non-narcotic methods. I cannot even take something tramadol. Instead, I would have to put my license on inactive status until I am able to work without the medications. Same for the benzos....I was able to take a valium when I had an MRI but would not be able to use them on a regular basis while on contract, even with a doctor's prescription. This is my understanding from orientation and how it is in our state. Nevada is really strict with their nurses on contract. I hear how other nurses get to eventually work nights, home health, etc. We are not able for the entire 5 years we are on contract, no matter what. I think our state is one of the more strict states when it comes to their monitoring contracts. At least that has been my impression in talking with other nurses from other states and getting to meet some nurses who have moved here from out of state who were on contracts in their home state.

Specializes in OR, ER, Oncology, CPC.
I should clarify my earlier statement. If I need a surgery for something, yes...I am allowed to take pain meds for that. But I would be unable to take them daily while on a monitoring contract, even if prescribed by a doctor. I have a chronic pain condition and must manage it with non-narcotic methods. I cannot even take something tramadol. Instead, I would have to put my license on inactive status until I am able to work without the medications. Same for the benzos....I was able to take a valium when I had an MRI but would not be able to use them on a regular basis while on contract, even with a doctor's prescription. This is my understanding from orientation and how it is in our state. Nevada is really strict with their nurses on contract. I hear how other nurses get to eventually work nights, home health, etc. We are not able for the entire 5 years we are on contract, no matter what. I think our state is one of the more strict states when it comes to their monitoring contracts. At least that has been my impression in talking with other nurses from other states and getting to meet some nurses who have moved here from out of state who were on contracts in their home state.

Same in my state!!! If you are on the meds you are not working while being monitored...

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