App to alt program=turned into police?

Twoyearnurse · Nov 3, 2014

I can only tell you about my experience thus far with this ssame problem. My lawyer told me the same thing but when it came to my life and desire to survive I had to be completely honest with myself and others. When I diverted and was subsequently fired I was turned in both to the BON and the DEA. I have been honest with my BON and a year and a month later I have yet to hear from any law enforcement. In my state what I did could be charged as a felony which means law enforcement can bring charges for up to five years. I don't know what the right answer is for you- I just know that in the scheme of things being honest was the right choice for me. Good luck!

MizChelleRN · Nov 12, 2014

Actually a really high percentage of us were in that same situation. They walk hand in hand, and that's a good thing. The BON and the law each know you are being monitored by the other. Which is not to say either will be lenient. But it is to say that if you screw up, you're doubly screwed. And if you're successful you'll be doubly blessed.

I walked both paths, the alternative program with the Ohio BON and the Chance program with the law. In fact to have my felonies expunged I spent a full year in an intense probation program and the alternative program lasted me three years. Both required completion of a treatment program. And I did it all.

So can you.

Good luck my friend.

caliotter3 · Nov 12, 2014

After remarking to a law enforcement officer about how a nurse who had been reported for stealing controlled medications from the employer had not had any adverse actions, I was told by this LEO, that run of the mill police officers are not concerned with this like they aren't concerned about most other individual "drug" use. They have enough to keep them busy with the drug traffickers and other big boys. This is just an anecdote, but it seems to make sense.

OhioRN1234 · Nov 13, 2014

Thank you all so much for your feedback, reading this forum is terrifying and helpful! Your stories are an inspiration and the strength which you display is humbling.

What I did was wrong (on so many levels), I was fired for refusing a drug test after removing narcotics from the pyxis. I am really facing this for the first time in my life and it is very VERY real. I am grateful for my newfound sobriety and know I need to work on it for the rest of my life. However, I am finding it so hard to focus on recovery when I am absolutely terrified that the police will come to my house, I will have multiple felonies, never be able to work again, etc.. I am also in a weekly three hour treatment program but it seems that I need IOP based on the counselors recommendations. I need the support of a 12 step program where I am comfortable. I went to one meeting and received the unwanted attentions of some males which scared me off.

I do have a criminal lawyer as well as a nursing license lawyer who don't seem to know what will happen. The opinion of the nursing license lawyer is that I have a very small chance of getting into the alternative program and she is unsure about the criminal outcomes. Ultimately I don’t want to make things worse for myself by filling this out. Everything will come out to the courts ultimately but I don’t know if the timing of it matters?

Again, thank you all so much. I have a feeling I will be on this site a lot!!