Nursing Student in Recovery

wish_me_luck, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2012

jess, I just wanted you to know that I am proud of you. It takes a strong person to admit when they need help. Yes, you do have to start somewhere.

I am in the monitoring program in Virginia. The whole application process for licensure, I have kept tabs on when I would receive something from the board and when I sent something out to them and the same with HPMP. Not only for record keeping but just in case other people had questions regarding length of time for certain things. After I go for orientation, I am going to start a journal. I started a post about the monitoring program in Virginia and will try and keep it updated. I want to try and inform people as much as I can. It's scary going through this program (and recovery) and not knowing what to expect. So, kudos for being open about your recovery.

Good luck!

niksal24 · Sep 18, 2012

I'm new to this site and your post is one of the first ones I've read. I just want to say what you are doing is amazing and that you are truly a very strong individual for admitting you have a problem and fixing it!

I am also in nursing school and tomorrow will be 9 months sober for my boyfriend - he is a recovering prescription pill addict. Addiction also runs in my family with my aunt being a recovering alcoholic and my brother being a recovering prescription pill addict. I'm not going to lie, becoming sober and staying sober for the first year is going to be very hard - but you are right, you have to start somewhere and this is the perfect time and place to start. Coming from someone who is the girlfriend, niece, and sister, all I can say is that what you are doing right now is the most amazing gift you can give to anyone. There are a lot of people pulling for you out there, me included, and want to see/help you succeeded in your recovery!

If you need any advice, have any questions, or just need someone to talk to that you can relate with - I'm here for you! Keep you're head up and never give up!

MishelleK · Sep 18, 2012

i'm not sure if you are going through any negative feelings, but don't ever been ashamed of where you are or where you are going...

this journey is going to have alot of ups and downs (it's been almost 4 years that i've been clean and there are times where i still struggle)...

as nurses we're prone to having substance abuse problems/addictions. kinda comes with the package when you have so much stress and responsibility... just don't give up, and soon you'll see there are many other vices to use that have a much more positive impact.

be true to yourself and everything will fall into place. you got alot of love and support right here :)

FMF Corpsman, MSN, RN · Sep 18, 2012

Jess, First and foremost, congratulations on your sobriety. You’ve made an excellent choice to give sobriety a chance. You didn’t say if this was your first effort or not, but it doesn’t matter one way or the other, it could be your last if do what is best for you and take the advice of others who have been down the same path that you are going to be going down. Other recovering addicts and alcoholics can be an invaluable source of wisdom and comfort in the days ahead if you will allow them to be. Sadly, I’ve known many newly recovering people who thought they knew best and declined the help of others, only to return to old habits and just the things they needed to avoid. My sobriety date is February 11^th, 1996 or if you want to get technical September 18^th, 2012 when I got up this morning, as I still go one day at a time. I may have been sober for 16 years or 6064 days, I’ve actually only been sober since I got up this morning. I am in just as much danger of taking a drink as an alcoholic who stopped drinking 2 days ago. I have to be just as vigilant as anyone else, or possibly even more so, because those who have long term sobriety sometimes become complacent and let their guard down, and that’s when that old demon can slip right back in. You might consider writing a journal. The journal would be a little more private of course, but in it you would track each individual day, write in it each night before you go to bed, your first or subconscious thoughts, but discipline yourself to not make any changes from the original entries, you want your original thoughts captured and not edited. After a while, you will be able to see where your journey started and where you are headed. I did my journal for a little over 4 years when I first got sober, and when I read it again several years later, I was amazed at myself and the things I thought and the changes I made in my life. Unfortunately, my computer crashed and I lost every bit of it. I had neglected to back it up. I would have loved to have kept it so I could read it again today. Anyway, Please avail yourself of the resources available, whatever they may be. If you want, you can contact me, or there are others who have said they would be willing to help. Just know that you cannot do this alone and that you do not have to.

jesskidding, LPN · Sep 18, 2012

Thank you so much for all the positive comments and advice. I appreciate the time you took to respond.

Writing has been such a significant part of my steps to recovery. I just starting at the beginning and went from there. I am now seeing so many root problems I never dealt with by literally starting from my conception. My family is a "just sweep all the bad stuff under the rug" type. The problem is still there, just covered up. I refuse to live that way anymore.

I have been a member here for over 4 years and never thought I would be posting in this forum, but I'm here now. I am not embarrassed or ashamed. I just glad to have extra support.

Thank you all again.

*This is not my first time trying, but this time seems different. I had hid my problem from my husband before and now he knows and supports me. His family also knows and is very supportive. It's exactly a month today, not long I know, but it's the longest I've went. You have to start somewhere.

LisalaRN99, BSN, RN · Sep 18, 2012

Congratulations on your recovery. Keep trudging the happy road of destiny. Remember always, though, that recovery is meant to be a private and anonymous journey where others, outside the rooms, do not truly understand. Crappy fact, but a fact untheless. Again, keep up the good work!

Mbenfield · Sep 18, 2012

I am a new nursing student too. I have not had to face addiction thankfully but my sister has and I do know it's difficult. All things in life that are worth anything take time. Just have a positive outlook, believe in yourself and don't let anything stand in the way of who you want to be.

DizzyLizzyNurse · Sep 18, 2012

As someone who's mother died of a drug overdose last year, I just wanted to say what you are doing is brave and amazing and I wish you all the luck in the world!

norlns24 · Sep 18, 2012

Congrats to the OP and kudos to all the responders, too.

As I read the original post, I was thinking, "uh-oh, here we go!" and expecting some kind of backlash.

I am happy none has occurred as yet.

I have not struggled with addiction, and thank my lucky stars for this fact every day.

I have seen what it can do to a person.

I know I am so fortunate that I did not inherit the genes and/ or was not subjected to an environment conducive to switching on genes for addiction. I am wise enough to know it COULD be me. I have my issues, but I am thankful every day addiction is not one of them!

bushrn75 · Sep 18, 2012

Congrats on your decision to get clean! I have been free from opiate addiction for 2.5years now and I'm involved in a monitoring program with my state board of nursing.Good luck on your journey!

itsmejuli · Sep 19, 2012

One day at a time :)

My son is a recovering opiate addict, he recently slipped and started shooting up again. Thankfully he realized he'd lose everything again if he kept it up. He's doing better on suboxone one day at a time.

Good luck in your recovery.