Drug Abuse/Nurses/Kristi

Nurses Recovery

Published

I tried posting a reply directly to your post, but when I typed in my ID, etc., it just flipped me back to your topic, and didn't let me post, so I started a new topic, but on the SAME topic. I can't help you as far as journal articles, but I am very interested in the topic. It seems like when we have these incidents of substance impaired nurses in our facility, they always try to keep it quiet, so we're never sure what happens to these people. Some get fired, some go to treatment and get rehired on certain conditions, some resign and show up at other facilities eventually, and some ya just don't know what happens. I personally have no tolerance for these folks. When they start talking that jive about their "recovery" and their "disease" I tune out. I feel it's a betrayal of their co-workers, their facility reputation, their family, friends, and esp themselves. I have seen so many go through treatmant after treatment, nurses included, and they just aren't motivated. I have a "loaded weapon theory" that I bet would motivate them quick! But since our society takes such a liberal approach to addicts/alcoholics, plus there's MONEY TO BE MADE since it's a DISEASE, why would they be motivated? After all, they're DISABLED, right??? OK, I've told you what I think, so go ahead everyone and lay it on me! This is just my opinion, but I would give anyone one chance to clean up their act, then it's out the door Lulu! It costs all of us, and I for one am tired of paying!

Thank you for your honesty.

Even though I am a recovering alcoholic, I get frustrated with active substance abusers. It's hard not to. I believe anyone who screws up at work (theft or working under the influence) should probably lose their license for a minimum amount of time - and then once they have a proven track record in recovery, become eligible for re-instatement.

I have compassion for anyone dealing with substance abuse problems. It's a lonely, frightening, terrible place to be. I never could have gotten sober without experiencing great losses. Unfortunately, this is what makes most of us seek recovery in the first place.

Negative consequences were necessary for me to see that I had a problem. I am a proponent for a hard-line stance regarding how we should deal with substance abusers in the workplace. The truth is... I have to care more about my recovery than my license.

If I ever show up drunk - I hope someone turns my butt in. My patients deserve better. And so do I.

Just remember - good recovery can make a great nurse. A little more tolerance wouldn't be terrible on your part. The stigma you are perpetuating might keep someone from asking for help. Fear of judgement keeps a lot of people using in secrecy.

Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.
Man, I'm reading all this, and it sounds like some of you would like to tar and feather me, for what you believe to be my narrow-mindedness. I read your many different possibilities as to how/why you became an addict, but I see NOTHING to indicate choice as one possibility. This makes me a little suspicious, because you can't argue about the compassion and understanding that nurses are supposed to possess, without also speaking about the ethics, choices and responsibility that goes with our training. So, you think I should choose to be MORE compassionate and understanding toward your "disease" but let YOU totally off the hook re any ethics, choice and/or responsibility re your usage? Maybe, but I think not. As far as my Loaded Gun Theory, I'm not suggesting that we blow any addicts out of the water. What I AM trying to suggest, is that theoretically, if a loaded gun were held to the head of an addict, "disease" or not, then we would REALLY begin to see who is motivated by what, and just how much choice is involved in taking that next drink and/or using that next drug, dig? As for those of you who suggest that I'm ignorant and unknowledgeable re the true nature of addiction; so say you. I won't try to change your mind, as your plate is already too full. I will however, attempt to suggest to you, that you reach into your deepest selves, and try to tap into what I believe exists in each and every one of you; the ability to be honest, the ability to know right from wrong; and the ability to CHOOSE the right thing. Thanks to all.

You are far too "out there" to have an informed educated opinion. I would take some of these formerly actively impaired nurses as my health care advocate, over you hands down. I can see your reasoning related to hypertension, diabetes, obesity, CAD... there are human contributions to those diseases. I wonder if your treatment plan would with hold insulin or nitroglycerine?

Specializes in ICU.

Just remember - good recovery can make a great nurse. A little more tolerance wouldn't be terrible on your part. The stigma you are perpetuating might keep someone from asking for help. Fear of judgement keeps a lot of people using in secrecy.

You're right. You are soooo right. Your best nurses are going to be the ones in good recovery. Think about it... I've said it before, and I'll say it again: A nurse has to really be a good nurse to be able to make it through recovery and all the hoops of fire she has to jump through to recover and save her license. A bad nurse, or one who is half minded would not even BEGIN to bother with the obsticles that are presented to a recovering nurse.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Sally, and others. Remember this thread was bumped up from 8 years ago. No need to engage people any further. Of course, the topic is still relavent today.

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