I had to take care of druggies today, and was disgusted!

gitterbug · Jan 22, 2007

Make no mistake, this patient was in pain. It is not a comforting situation to be addicted and have to invent pain, health problems, or inflict injuries to one's body to get drugs. I worked psych, spoke with addicts, have specialed patients in DT's, the pain and suffering these patient have is just as real as someone with cancer. I hope you learn ways to cope with this type of patient, ways to be the nurse they need, ways to help yourself see just how much suffering these patients and those who love them go through. I am sure in time you will develop these skills. Good luck.

(P.S. I do not think cutting up his salad was required of you and letting him know you expected him to be as independent as possible was not wrong. Addicts have unreal expectations of situations, other people, and themselves a lot of times, a reality check is generally o.k.)

al7139, ASN, RN · Jan 26, 2007

Dear RN 4 U,

I am a nursing student about to graduate. I also have worked as a nursing assistant in a hospital in my area. I have had the opportunity to work with several patients who were alcoholics and addicts. I also have family members who suffer from this disease (and it is a disease). I admit that these patients can be very tough to work with, and if you are not familiar with this disease process, it is easy to pass judgement on these clients. I am in no way criticizing you as a nurse, but consider this: If a patient states they are in pain, make sure you get as much info about the pain they are having. Research the drugs they are addicted to. Withdrawal symptoms of certain drugs can cause significant physical discomfort. Collaborate with the MD and other members of the health care team to formulate a treatment plan that will help the patient maintain an acceptable level of comfort without precipitating a withdrawal crisis. Also remember that they will be feeling very anxious and scared and alone. They typically cope with these feelings by being demanding, abusive towards staff, and constantly paging the nursing staff. Finally, remember pain is a subjective assessment, and you cannot dismiss this as just "drug seeking". Any complaint of pain reported by a patient must be believed. It is a patients right to recieve pain control if needed. This patients affect and behaviors could be a coping mechanism to deal with his pain from withdrawal symptoms.

Amy

Foxyoasis · Mar 26, 2007

I myself have crohns diease and had a major operation in 2006. where i had 3 resection operations within a few days of each other was so bad needless to say. i was on a demoral pump diludid for breakthrough pain and morphine shot.

and ive been admited to the hospital every month last year because i had one difficult of another infections leakages. abess that needed to be drain so i was on alot of pain meds in general. and i have a problem with addiction which is physical and it sucks. and i dont take offence to what she is saying it would be nice if i dident hear a lecture from nurses at the hospital saying that im addicted. something i already know i have actualy pain and the addiction on top of it. when someone has been exposed to pain medication like that for practically a year what does one expect.

im just sick of the insensitivy is all i wish some of them could have this diease for a day. i have a very very bad case of crohns and almost died a few times this year from infection of my port a cath the home health care system wasnt very clean dont get me started on that one. im only 25 i dealt with alot and i just hate when nurses say why are you crying your 25 years old grow up what kind of nurse is that a nurse i say should just quit when you get that cruel to someone that dealth with this diease since i was 10 it does not get easier does not at all. i just had my blood taken the other day and i have a picc line and she told me piccs are for medcation only im like no they are used for blood and meds that is why i have 2 ports a nurse by the way that knew jack crap about activace which i find very dishearting that i had to tell her how to do it and how to clean a pic properly. this isnt my main nurse she is to busy so hired and agency nurse i dident want anymore but said that she couldent change it so i guess ill call my insuracne company to tell them whats going on . anyhow sorry for the long rant im just tired like i said of the lack of bedside manner

blueheaven · Mar 27, 2007

Hello everybody. I am a new nurse and I had my first patient who was a drug user yesterday. I took care of him but found it difficult to deal with having a patient like him as he was basically using the system to get his drugs. His problems all came from using drugs and that is why he was there, but this man was in no pain or having no anxiety attacks but requested pain medication around the clock stating no relief, mind you he was laughing, being disrespectfuly at times and wanted me to wait on him hand and foot. I refused to cut up his salad, because there was nothing wrong with hands. I took good care of him but i did not want to be really bothered with him as there were really sick people in the hospital that needed my attention. I just do not know why drug users are allowed to get away with this. The hospital is basically providing all their drugs. Was I wrong to feel this way?

Hey look, one way to look at it is this...if it wasn't for excessive food, drugs, and cigarettes...most of us would be out of a job!..

gr8rnpjt, RN · Mar 27, 2007

My ex-husband had a alcohol/drug problem ... I hold resentment towards him for always placing the blame on others and never accepting his responsibilities to me, his kids or himself.

To me, this is what makes it so hard to be nice, or civil to addicts. Kymmi, I am and have been going through the exact same situation as you, and this is to me the crux of the matter and what makes it so hard to deal with them.

It is and always will be someone elses fault. And I have learned they will never be happy, so there is no need to try to make them happy. A little off topic I know, sorry.

blueheaven · Mar 27, 2007

To me, this is what makes it so hard to be nice, or civil to addicts. Kymmi, I am and have been going through the exact same situation as you, and this is to me the crux of the matter and what makes it so hard to deal with them.
It is and always will be someone elses fault. And I have learned they will never be happy, so there is no need to try to make them happy. A little off topic I know, sorry.

You know I REALLY have a problem with this statement. My dad had 18 years sober before passing away in 1991. When he gave up the booze and worked his program of recovery...he was NOT the same person I grew up with. My husband has 8 years clean and 28 years without a drop of alcohol. People CAN and DO RECOVER!!!!!!!! As for the one poster who "holds resentment" the only one you hurt with that is yourself. Maybe if some of the posters on this thread would take time and go check out an AA or NA meeting it may change your mind set. Those of you who have loved ones and have been affected by drugs or alcohol, Nar anon or al-anon may be able to help you cope.

One thing I learned many years ago in Al-Anon/Nar-Anon

The 3 Cs of addiction

You can't cure it

You didn't Cause it

but you can sure CONTIRBUTE to it.