whats next??????????

Nurses Recovery

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i am currently under the supervision of tnpap. i went through the evaluation process and was found to not have a dependenct problem. however, on saturday i took a percocet for back pain, not thinking about itreally, and then had a dirty drug screen on monday. i told my case manager what i had done, after the dirty drug screen and now i have to be re evaluated. i can't practice until after that, but i was wondering what will happen next? he says i will most likely have to have IOP, i will do whatever i have to, but can you still work under iop? i am in ch 13 bankruptcy, and really need that income. anyone have any answers for me? thanks in advance.

Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.

working the steps helped me save my life and they are the basis for my life now. do you have a sponsor yet?

Although I am primarily an addict, im also an alcoholic and always go to AA meetings instead. i think in my case i like the AA meetings around here better. it was hard to find a NA meeting with lots of clean time.

i also LOVE LOVE LOVE women's meetings!! if you have any in your area, try them. there is lots of love, hugs and clean time in a women's group.

remember...everything you hear in meetings and groups won't pertain to you...just take what you need and leave the rest.

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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.

haha, i just told my husband that steve was your counselor too and that i told you to tell him i said hi. he just laffed and said "steve wont be suprised for one second that she met you in the internet" lol and it's true. steve used to give me hell for always being on the innawebs, lol.

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i got a sponsor today. she already has me busy. she said the same thing you did. not everything wiil hit with you, just take what you need and leave the rest. i am sure i'll talk to stev tom. so i will tell him you said hi and imet you on the internt. lol so glad i met you i hope you keep in touch!

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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.

once you get 15 posts in (i think) then you can PM. get to posting and then pm me anytime!

when i was in rehab, they told me "wendy...get a hobby" (besides court tv and the innawebs, lol). so when i got out...I learned to crochet. it's wonderful therapy!!!

do you have a hobby? i could interest you in the wonderful world that is the craft store!!! (it's my newest addiction and one that im sure my husband will ground me from oneday soon, lol)

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why did you go to rehab? if you don't mind me asking. how long were you gone? do you think i will have to go? i have a lot of questions. maybe you will have answers. my 2nd eval is next wednesday with pathways.

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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.

I'm a drug addict. If you search my nic you will find my original thread here about my story. long story short, ive been an addict since i was 14. became an RN at 29. started stealing drugs since months later. I had a husband at home disabled with porphyria and i stole his morhpine and turned myself into a literal junky. i stayed under the radar at work until 5 yrs ago when i took a job at a hospital. It was my first experience with a pixus system. lord have mercy i loved that machine! every good drug addict should have one at home, lol. (im kidding). anyhoo...they turned me into the BON. i stayed home for 5 months and detoxed myself because i knew i had to do something to get clean. i took a new job and after a month told them i needed help. it was after that that i found out the BON was investigating me. by the time i went to the screening panel i was 5 months sober. since i had self reported to my EAP they couldnt make me go to rehab but strongly encouraged it and i did weekly UDS. the BON made the decision for me and told me to go. I did an IOP program and there i finally, truly, got honest with myself and others and jumped into real recovery.

now i wished i had gone to an inpatient program and then IOP just because i want all they can teach me.

i wouldnt be suprised if they have you go to treatment. i was in treatment with other nurses for less. i know thats not what you want to hear but one thing i'll never do is BS an addict.

i was lucky and my job allowed me to change my schedule to weekends so i could go to treatment during the week. most treatment centers wont allow you to work as a nurse while you are in treatment but the center i went to used me as a "test case" to see how i did with it. it was hard and not something i would recommend but it helped me financially. it was hard because you are going thru so much emotionally during treatment that it's hard to concentrate on work. im a supervisor so i wasnt giving meds. heck, steve had to MAKE me get my narcotic restricions lifted cuz i never wanted to but you cant graduate without doing it.

dont worry about it now. day by day, remember? just go to your eval, be honest with them and yourself, and God will do the rest.

baby steps....just take baby steps and deal with the here and now only.

you are just starting to grow your wings. one day you are going to fly!

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if they tell me i have to go i will, i just have a 2 yr old and don't want to have to go to inpatient. but i cant work until afterwards. steve said i could if they allowed it, but i have to find a job. my job wouldn't allow me to take a loa until my eval, so i had to resign. i have 9 months exp. with dialysis, and steve said that was a safe place to work, so maybe i'll try that. what about meetings? how often do you go? please don't ever bs me, i want to have a realistic expectation. thats why i'm here talking to someone else like me. i start the group support meetings monday, chos eto do that and i asked steve if i could and he said he was fine with it. i also told him i was going to na, and he said it was wise. i just want to do what i have to so i don't have to hit rock bottom. again i am soooo glad to meet you and by the way i live in the jackson tn area, west tn. how does iop work?

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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.

lots of nurses i was in treatment with work dialysis. its a great place to work recoverywise.

IOP is intensive outpatient. i went 4 days a week,3p-9p.it was a 3 month program. you are in group after group every night. different types...group therapy with a doc, art therapy, spirituality, process groups where you work on your steps..things like that. i also took other classes in the off time like relapse recovery. they sent me to a therapist and sent me to Sex Anonymous too and also to overeaters anonymous. my therapist is an addiction specialist and i love her.

once out of treatment and signed my contract with tnpap, i had to go to at least 3 meetings a week and the nurse support group. for a year you have to have your paper signed at the meetings saying you were there. no biggie really.

and stop worrying about hitting rock bottom! everyone's bottom is different. this could be yours! stop worrying about what hasnt happend yet!

i went to jackson with my hubby on a business trip!

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well going 3 nights a week to a meeting, is really no big deal, i am going 3 nights a week now! glad it didn't take much to get me here. really glad!!!!!!!! gotta get off here and watch grey's....lol i'll be back tomorrow, maybe we can chat then!

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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.

have fun! you wont see me again until monday. i'm still a weekender at work. hate my job, love my shift so i cant seem to make myself quit even though i want too.

good to meet you!!!!!

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Specializes in ED.

De Nile is not a river in egypt!

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De Nile? i don't really see how i am in denial. i am full on admitting that i have a problem. where is the denial in that? i am going to meetings, found a support group, and doign all i can. like i said, i see no denial, but if you think i am in denial, instead of just posting a sharp post maybe you could tell me why you think i am in denial and maybe what i could do about it! that is why i am here, not to be judged.

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