nurses in recovery

Nurses Recovery

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Hi. I'm new to this forum but curious if anyone is in recovery from substance abuse? I attend meetings for medical professionals in recovery and the members have quadrupled since I first started many years ago. This is not a topic I find people discuss easily but the disease of addiction is killing too many and has become prevalent amongst the medical profession. I am redirecting my nursing towards education and was wondering if anyone out there feels comfortable discussing feelings, experiences, strength and hope. LIFE IS GOOD TODAY!:rolleyes:

I am so happy to see other nurses in recovery discussing their addictions and finding a group of people who do not pass judgment. As we have all seen/experienced, stigmas about addiction are especially prevalent in the healthcare community (despite the fact that we should know better than anyone about the addiction/disease correlation!) I feel very strongly that if not for the fear of judgment from my peers, I would have self-reported my addiction and sought help much sooner. As nurses we need to acknowledge our own susceptibility to this disease and encourage/support our colleagues who suffer from it. It's so important to not feel alone in your addiction/recovery.

I lurked on this forum for many, many months during my addiction and early recovery. I had previously not known ONE SINGLE NURSE in recovery (in reality, I've probably encountered many, but the stigma of addicted nurses mandates some sort of code of silence.) I felt SO alone.

I haven't found any medical professionals recovery meetings in my area, but will actively be looking for them. I actually didn't even know that such a thing existed! Chalk it up to yet another valuable lesson I've learned from the helpful folks on this forum!

Thank you all for sharing your stories and your recovery. Know that you have helped others (me!) in more ways than you'll ever know. As nurses in recovery, it is our duty to inform and educate our peers about the disease of addiction and make this subject less taboo in our profession! Who knows, doing so may impact and save another nurse's life. One, like me, who felt so very alone in her addiction.

Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.

RecoverRn

Oh Honey Bunny,

That's what we are here for!

Don't feel alone...in Florida for example, there are roughly 1,200 nurses in the IPN...and those are only the one's in the program...can you imagine how many more are out there actively using still? So odds are you have met many many addicted nurses...and many that didnt wish to acknowledge to themselves much less anybody else that they are addicted....

Have you found an alternative program in PA? I am curious as to how the other programs are run.

I hope you are doing well.

Good luck.Stay strong.

d

Is it really true that there are 1,200 nurse in the IPN?

-thanks,...,

wow, just imagine the number of nurses whose addictions haven't come to light yet! if only there was was a way to self report and not be penalized. I know a lot of the sates BON's have programs but all i have heard of have such hard criteria to meet and are so expensive, but nevertheless, thank God for them. The one I am entering is very strict, but at the end of the three years, or however long it takes me to complete it, my license will be unblemished, so i am going to work this program to the best of m ability and pray God help me have the strength to complete it!

Best of luck

Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.
Is it really true that there are 1,200 nurse in the IPN?

-thanks,...,[/quote)

That's the number I was told.

I have heard that it is estimated that between 7 and 10% of all nurses are affected with addiction to something.

I am inclined to believe the higher number.

i wonder which is worse, never being caught and living a life of hiding and denial and inebriation or coming clean and facing the consequences of our choices. personally, i believe the life of the addict is far less fulfillling in the long run!!!

for me, this is most definitely the easier, softer way!!! :redpinkhe i am delighted each day to wake up clean & sober with a clear conscience, instead of with guilt, shame, & remorse.:yeah: granted, i haven't had to deal with the harsh repurcussions that some here have to deal with, but anything is better than remaining chained to the grips of addiction!:lol2:

Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.
for me, this is most definitely the easier, softer way!!! :redpinkhe i am delighted each day to wake up clean & sober with a clear conscience, instead of with guilt, shame, & remorse.:yeah: granted, i haven't had to deal with the harsh repurcussions that some here have to deal with, but anything is better than remaining chained to the grips of addiction!:lol2:

Amen Sister!!!....

It's been almost 3 years since I was chained to the opiates that ruled my life and 12 years for the alcohol! I can honestly say that whenever I just stop and think of the very fact that I am clean and sober....I just can't stop smiling....:D..every single day....:D..It truley it the best feeling in the world!!

I just do not care what kind of hoops I have to jump through with the IPN, I've been doing the program now for 2 years and it's been fine. If you are compliant then you have nothing to worry about. If you don't mess with them, they don't mess with you.

I repeat...nothing feels better than waking up clean and sober and having nothing to be ashamed about!!:yeah:

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