What is your opinion/knowledge base on recovery programs?

chiefshewho · Jan 10, 2009

I never knew there was a program out there for nurses. I did not learn in college nor discussed it at work. I have been a nurse for over 2 years. I know that is not long but a person would think they would have heard about this. My employer had a extensive orientation and never discussed nurses abusing drugs.

I think there is alot of things that is good about the state program but there is also downfalls. I rather be drug tested once a week for 6 months than to go back to work with a narcotic restriction. Maybe people should have some choices.

Rascal1 · Jan 11, 2009

I did'nt know about a peer/assistance/recovery program in my state. I placed myself in a rehab.,which was payed for by my employment medical insurance. My DON. was aware of this,as well as my immediate co-workers,and probably others despite confidentiality. Is the program that is discussed here so often,for nurses who are caught taking from the narc. box ? And they need close monitoring upon return to work ?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2009

I live in Florida.

I think the program here in Florida is generous. They understand that nurses are not criminals and need help. They understand that sometimes people relapse and give them a chance to recover even from relapse. The remove dangerous nurses from practice and seem to monitor them closely.

My overall opinion of the program is that it's a good one.

I've never been through it myself, so I can only say from my association with people in it. People I think get frustrated with the meeting requirement because not everyone likes AA/NA and those are the only programs around for the most part.

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2009

Like I said earlier, I find that a lot of people don't know about it until they are FORCED to know about it. You know what I mean? And yes, the aa/na requirement is kind of strict. If they could some how have some sort of alternate requirment that could take the place of aa/na atleast a few days a week, that would work out better and have a better effect on the nurse's recovery.

I almost wish that there was an online aa/na for recovering nurses. That would be the ultimate.

michigooseBSN · Jan 12, 2009

I didn't know about the Massachusetts Substance Abuse Recovery Program (called SARP) until I had the intervention a work (yes I had been diverting) and was told by my employer to self report to the Mass BON. It saved my life, not just my license. It was a fairly (and fair) rigorous 5 year program requiring documented meetings (for 3 years if I remember correctly) random pee tests and attendance at a impaired nurses program. All of these requirements began to feel onerous after my first few years of recovery and I remember complaining to my AA sponor that "it wasn't fair. I was working the program because I wanted to be sober, not because I was told to by SARP" and I'll never forget her response. She said very kindly "well you don't have to do what they say but then they have the right to suspend your license. This is all just the result of your past actions." It changed my way of thinking. I could never truely make diresct amends to the patients I had stolen from but by completing the SARP program and talking honestly about my past in meetings and to other health professionals, I could make indirect amends. I completed the SARP program over eleven years ago and in May, God willing, I will celebrate 17 years of recovery in sobriety. I credit my success to God and to the Mass BON for setting me on the right path in life. Sorry to be so long-winded but I feel passionate about this.

Rascal1 · Jan 12, 2009

God bless you,michigooseBSN ... I'm in an outpatient program as part of my recovery,but nothing to do with employment. I know I could'nt have just had six months sober with out God... My ways never worked...

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2009

I didn't know about the Massachusetts Substance Abuse Recovery Program (called SARP) until I had the intervention a work (yes I had been diverting) and was told by my employer to self report to the Mass BON. It saved my life, not just my license. It was a fairly (and fair) rigorous 5 year program requiring documented meetings (for 3 years if I remember correctly) random pee tests and attendance at a impaired nurses program. All of these requirements began to feel onerous after my first few years of recovery and I remember complaining to my AA sponor that "it wasn't fair. I was working the program because I wanted to be sober, not because I was told to by SARP" and I'll never forget her response. She said very kindly "well you don't have to do what they say but then they have the right to suspend your license. This is all just the result of your past actions." It changed my way of thinking. I could never truely make diresct amends to the patients I had stolen from but by completing the SARP program and talking honestly about my past in meetings and to other health professionals, I could make indirect amends. I completed the SARP program over eleven years ago and in May, God willing, I will celebrate 17 years of recovery in sobriety. I credit my success to God and to the Mass BON for setting me on the right path in life. Sorry to be so long-winded but I feel passionate about this.

Thanks for sharing your story. It is people that have been recovering for so long that I look up to. When I first went into recovery, I thought to myself, how in the world can I do this? Then I seen all the "old timers" at the aa meetings that have been going for years and years. I knew that as long as they could do it, there was a chance for me. That is one reason why I chose to be an advocate for TPAPN. There are nurses everyday that get referred to TPAPN and need someone that they can look up to. A nurse that has been there, done that, and is alive and successful in nursing now.

Five years? wow that is a long time! You did it though,and now it is a part of your past. I thought 2 years was a long time, but it was just a blip on the radar.

That is one of my favorite things to say... you don't have to be in the recovery program, no one is making you do it. But if you want to be a nurse, then you should stay and truly recover.... Those programs are set up to where you really can't "cheat" and still be a nurse. They are very strict. I know there are nurses out there who would rather not be a nurse anymore than to go through the state's program.

TCRNCOB61 · Jan 14, 2009

I live in Florida also and am in IPN. I have been in IPN for 8 years now, relapsed 2 times, I now have less than 2 years left on this 3rd contract. Each contract is 5 years and if you relapse you start over with your time. The IPN program is not hard if you just follow the rules. More than half of the nurses in my group do not go to AA/NA meetings. (we do not have to have papers signed anymore, even when we did you could get anyone to sign them, it did not mean anything)

I did not really understand and "get" recovery until this last relaspe when I really started going to NA meetings, got a sponcer, started working the steps and working on me.

This time I got it. I have more than 3 years clean now. I am very thankful to God that I have another chance.

I look at some of the nurses in my "support" group I have to go to each week and know that they are not getting it. Recovery is life changing. You have to want it. My life is better. I am greatful.

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2009

I live in Florida also and am in IPN. I have been in IPN for 8 years now, relapsed 2 times, I now have less than 2 years left on this 3rd contract. Each contract is 5 years and if you relapse you start over with your time. The IPN program is not hard if you just follow the rules. More than half of the nurses in my group do not go to AA/NA meetings. (we do not have to have papers signed anymore, even when we did you could get anyone to sign them, it did not mean anything)
I did not really understand and "get" recovery until this last relaspe when I really started going to NA meetings, got a sponcer, started working the steps and working on me.
This time I got it. I have more than 3 years clean now. I am very thankful to God that I have another chance.
I look at some of the nurses in my "support" group I have to go to each week and know that they are not getting it. Recovery is life changing. You have to want it. My life is better. I am greatful.

You are absolutely correct. Some people just don't get it, and some nurses just force themselves to do it because they have to. But I believe that the programs offered by most states are structured so that you almost cannot cheat. And if you do, you probably will get caught. Now, if you go through the whole thing, cheating, then it's only a matter of time before you relapse and get into trouble again... eventually. If you don't get caught, you are damn lucky.

Let me tell you though, don't you feel lucky to be able to have three chances like this? Its tough that it took more than once for you, but now that you've got sobriety, you probably feel damn lucky to have those chances.

Rascal1 · Jan 14, 2009

I live in Florida also and am in IPN. I have been in IPN for 8 years now, relapsed 2 times, I now have less than 2 years left on this 3rd contract. Each contract is 5 years and if you relapse you start over with your time. The IPN program is not hard if you just follow the rules. More than half of the nurses in my group do not go to AA/NA meetings. (we do not have to have papers signed anymore, even when we did you could get anyone to sign them, it did not mean anything)
I did not really understand and "get" recovery until this last relaspe when I really started going to NA meetings, got a sponcer, started working the steps and working on me.
This time I got it. I have more than 3 years clean now. I am very thankful to God that I have another chance.
I look at some of the nurses in my "support" group I have to go to each week and know that they are not getting it. Recovery is life changing. You have to want it. My life is better. I am greatful.

Talk about an A-Haaa moment ! Absolutely ! Three rehabs. later,the last of which I suffered a seizure and later dx.'d with Fibromyalgia that I can add to my already growing list of health conditions. A light finally went on ,heah, maybe,I should try this recovery thing another way. I believe God works through people he puts in our lifes. And my life keeps getting better and better.....

rninmi · Jan 17, 2009

In Michigan, it is called HPRP. I just completed my 4yr. contract...I would have been done in 3 yrs, but kinda stopped the requirements (long story.....I basically only did my drops and stopped sending reports in from addictionist and self reports etc...a whole nother story that I took to the tables and worked on)...anwyay I digress.

The program saved my life and my career....I did a short rehab, self reported during this time (or my employer would have done it for me!), after rehab, did IOP; then returned to work with 40hr week, 1st shift, and no narcotic restrictions. The program is tough, it is expensive, but it is a life saver. If you are willing to do the work, it can be done! The thing it provided for me was structure. I need structure and routine (like most addicts). I gave me accountability and my wife was more secure knowing I was getting random drops. I am glad for the program, God willing I will never see it again, but I thank God for it often.