any nurses/nursing students on methadone?

[milksteak]

Hi everyone,

I will be starting an ADN program next week and was SOOOO worried that my methadone maintenance status was going to be a problem. I haven't heard anything at all from the program and I think if I was going to hear any negative feedback, I would have by now (It's been 2 months since they found out). I didn't try to hide it or anything.. it says it right on the front of my physical sheet and I also put in a letter stating my recovery. I was put on methadone because in the state of massachusetts, when you are pregnant an addict, you can't detox. Unfortunately, I had relapsed a week before I found out I was pregnant.. I keep looking back and thinking "What if I didnt relapse". But my son is perfectly healthy, beautiful and so intelligent. He didn't withdraw at all (Thank God!) from the methadone. I've been voluntarily detoxing for the past 6 months and hope to be off in a year or two.

I wanted to hear feedback from any other students or nurses that are on methadone or have been on methadone. Were you perceived differently at clinicals or by your fellow employees? Was it an issue? How long have you been on it?

Thanks guys!

-christine

[finley]

Oh my gosh Elkpark! What state are you in? Do you have a diversion program now?

[stargazer88]

I am not sure about state nursing boards, but when in school, if you are tested by clinical locations, you don't need to worry. Hippa laws apply to everyone, including nursing students. It is really nobodies business. If you are on methadone or any other prescription drug, it will show up on the test. The testing facility will contact you and ask if you have a prescription, and if you do, you fax it to or take it to them, and they send your test through as clean. Simple as that.

This is what I was told too, but... Iapplied for a new job that did drug testing. (This was my first experience with drug testing.) I had worked as a nurse for 10 years, I take adderall, have an excellent work record, no problems. When I went in for the test, the HR rep gave me a paper to list my meds on, acted like it was no big deal, so, stupid me happily writes down the adderal on the form but left off my other meds since they are not controlled substances. Anyway, the lab called me, confirmed my rx was valid. They sent back a negative screen to my employer.

BUT...they, (the drug sreen co) said I needed a "fit for duty" test (which, by the way, they perform and charge my employer an extra $200!, what a racket!!) so, it would be quite obvious to an employer that the screen is not REALLY negative, even if they didn't know what substance you were on.

So I pass the "fit for duty" test but the company sends a report to my (potential) employer not only listing the adderall, but ALL my meds. It includes a brief medical history, including a birth defect I have but is not obvious, and doesn't affect my work. Says I have depression, and reason I take adderrall etc. etc.

I was hired, because the law says they had to, or it would be discrimination. But they made it quite obvious I was no longer an asset, but a liability. They made my orintation hell, and I mean HELL! Then, before the 90 days were up, they said I just wasn't up to snuff, and fired me, for "not meeting expectations". I have NEVER been fired, or had a negative review in all my years of nursing.

Sorry the story is so long, but just want people to be aware, and be careful. Don't list any medications. If the lab has a question about what you take, they will call you. If the screening company says you need a "fit for duty" exam, tell them you have a note from your own DR. Which you should get anyway, just in case.

I'm still devastated by my experience. It took more than 2 months from time of application to actually starting orientation. Then I oriented for six weeks. Now I have no job, and don't know what to tell a prospective employer. I just hope I can save others from going through what I did. Remember.. the employer might ACT kind and sympathetic, but believe me, they work for the facility, and their concern is insurance and liability.

and don't tell classmates or co-workers anything. They will chew you up and spit you out.

[stargazer88]

On the application for the nclex (at least in my state) it asks you to list anything within the last 10 years. Anything more distant you are not required to disclose. Why should a person have to pay the price forever for something that is no longer relevant? If you disclose it on your application, you will have to deal with a mark on your record forever. If you stay sober, there is no reaon your past should ever have to come up. I have read other postings on AN about this. One nurse disclosed to the board because she felt she'd be lying otherwise. Well, she had to start her nursing career with a restricted license, and jump through all the other hoops required by the board. And all for no reason. She had been sober many years. From what I remember reading, it's her biggest regret. Why make trouble when there is none?

[stargazer88]

Just wondering, why does one have to stay on methadone for so long?

[LPNSWEETHEART]

i have a girlfriend with the same scenario ,( going from methadone to sub and wants to wean off that way..i think it will be better then tapering just off the methadone itself?? i heard that is very bad..

[kimbilina]

Right on sister! So far I thought no one here had a brain on ethics , lol you go. Only answer derserving of all stars :) You all must be in the bushes or something maybe down a dark alley. Lots of people are on methadone and suboxone some are my friends. Guess what they are nurses too! Do you think they tell anyone they are taking it? no way !!!!!!!!!!!! Get smart Use HIPPA

[SuzieVN]

Just wondering, why does one have to stay on methadone for so long?

Good observation. If you're indigent, the feds pay for it. If not, it's a sweet chunk of change for self pay. In theory, the goal is a continual decrease in dose, until you're 'healed'. In reality- I know one guy that has been on it 10 years.

[iwanna]

I never heard of "fit for duty". What a croc!!!! Why is that not a HIPPA? If the dr. states that it does not impair you than that should be sufficient.

I am not an addict, but I have a daughter in recovery. She was in methadone treatment for years. She kept trying to wean. The withdrawal lasts really long from methadone. I think that suboxone is slightly shorter withdrawal. She weaned over to suboxone a few years ago. Then, she relapsed and told me that suboxone did not work for her. She told me that she needed the structure of daily dosing at clinic.

She got a DUI, after pulling out of parking lot of clinic. Cop was watching her and followed her. She was guilty of speeding. Anyways, she admitted to dosing at the clinic. Took her to hospital for lab draws. She was only positive for methadone, but was still charged with DUI.

My daughter was involuntarily detoxed while being in jail just two months ago. She was cited for driving while license was suspended. She was given a sentence of 60 days house arrest with work release. Unfortunately, she could not refrain from the pot. When she went to report for house arrest, she was positive for THC. She did not stop to think they may drug test her. Silly girl!

The blessing in disguise was that she was sentenced to do her time in jail until she tested clean. It took 30 days. During that time she went through awful withdrawal. I am proud of her for making decision to not to return to the clinic, once released from jail. She served the rest of time on house arrest. She said that she never wants to go through the hell of methadone withdrawal again.

That is why people remain on it for so long. They can not live a functional, productive life without it. People need to work, and can't go through withdrawal and function. Methadone withdrawal lasts a long time. The long half life makes it hell to get off the drug.

I always wondered why people were on it for years, too.

I just found out that my son is an IV heroin addict. My daughter is in recovery, and my son is a heroin addict. My ex was an opiate addict. Actually, a heroin IV addict, too. He had liver cancer. He had a liver transplant and is doing okay for the liver. It breaks my heart that my son is following his dad's footsteps. Drug addiction is bad enough, but IV use is just adding a whole new list of complications.

Kudos to all of you in recovery!!!

And, FWIW, I don't think methadone impairs a person. It helps people live a functional life. OTOH, it is hard on the body, as any drug is. And, it is hell to get off of it.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

In OB we have has several mothers on methadone. Many started it years ago with their first pregnancy. So many are still taking it by their 3rd or 4th. I have never taken it, but I have been told the withdrawal is horrible. I'm amazed that we have not found a less addictive medication to assist those who want to become clean.

[Thenurse27]

I posted on here a few years ago about this topic. My license was reinstated in NJ while I was on Methadone. The jobs I applied for never specifically tested for Methadone so I kept it to myself. I recently moved to Delaware and reported my Methadone maintenance to the board and there were No issues. I received an unrestricted licence as I had in NJ. I still don't feel that I need to disclose to an employer since the board is aware.

[elprup, BSN, RN]

It is my understanding that employers must specifically test for methadone. It is not usually tested for in employer drug screens.

[carrimarie1010]

I am in AR and the BON specifically states no nurse can work in this state while on methadone. Start with your BON. I wouldn't disclose your name to them for various reasons.