AA Meetings for Nurses

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Years ago when I first got into recovery there was a group call Nurses for Recovery. It was strictly for nurses and we had some pharmacists attend. I have not been working my program to the best of my ability and have a need to rework the steps and devote my life to it. I am still sober or better put I'm dry. I know I have a lot of work to do. I work on a chemical dependency unit. It's really helped me see that I haven't been working my program. My problem is that tonight I went to a womens AA meeting, a few minutes later in walked my 7 female patients. I had no idea that they were going to that particular meeting. I was so uncomfortable. I need a place where I can share and feel safe. I'm fine with them knowing that I'm an alcholic but I am in a vulnerable place and it is inappropriate for me to share what I need to with them there. Anyway, does anyone know of any meetings for Recovering Nurses or Professionals in Texas? So far I can't seem to find any. Thanks for any assist.

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Im so glad you posted this!!! I hope somebody replys, I am an alcholic and I am still struggling with sobriety and on the losing end. I have attended an few AA meetings but have not been consistant because I have seen one or two of my patients there twice!!! Not quite prepared for that yet & was very uncomfortable, where can we go?

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Chellet98,

Thank you for responding to this thread. I was beginning to think no one would. I think that it's important for nurses to have a meeting strictly for nurses, pharmacists, and doctors. Some of the things I've done in my addiction are things that Joe Public doesn't need to know about. We need to be able to share and be honest in our meetings.

mare4322

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One of the geatest things about recovery is their really isnt any social order. A drunk doctor is no diffrent then a drunk off the street. We all share a common problem with a common solution. I would think its natural to feel mildly uncomfortable around a patient. I dont think that should be used as an excuse to avoid recovery meetings. Everyday you have a chance to exemplify the 12 steps of recovery. An example of how a thorough program can transform a life all the better.

Live in humility and gratitude

you are blessed:coollook:

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Chellet98,

Thank you for responding to this thread. I was beginning to think no one would. I think that it's important for nurses to have a meeting strictly for nurses, pharmacists, and doctors. Some of the things I've done in my addiction are things that Joe Public doesn't need to know about. We need to be able to share and be honest in our meetings.

mare4322

It sounds like you are trying to work your program instead of the program of AA. My way did not work. I needed the input of people from all walks of life. The 1st Tradition states: Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity. In other words we are inclusive instead of exclusive. Meetings that ignore the traditions tend to forget why they are there. I would suggest you talk to your sponsor about this.

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Thanks for posting this. You are exactly where I am. I am dry 5 1/2 years but far from sober. I soooo need to work on my program. You're in a tough spot. Maybe for now you can find a meeting a little out of your area (but with gas prices that may be difficult). Or a small meeting in a church or someones house. Last suggestion is to START a nurses meeting in your area (wink wink). That might also be an excellent way to start working your program. If you start it I will attend. I live in Maryland but I would be more than to make that trip. Keep me posted.

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Thanks for the feedback on this thread. I agree that a drunk doctor is no different that a drunk of the street. We are all equal in AA. I do feel however that some of the things we do in our addictions (ie: addicted nurse takes Mr. Wells pain injection herself instead of giving it to Mr. Wells. Or a nurse is feeling withdrawl symptoms and she basically shops the med cart to see what she can use, to get normal. Or the addicted nurse doesn't go about the proper procedure for wasting narcotics, she takes what is going to be wasted. Going to work and using and then trying "care for a group of patients" is a very scary picture to paint for alot of AA folks who may have family in a hospital. And these AA folks are human and don't deserve to be haunted by what I might share. So at AA meetings I share, but I limit what I share. I'd prefer to have some AA meetings where nurses can go to share and start to heal the shame and guilt of what their addiction has done to them and what they have done to their patients.

I'm not trying to protect the nurse but to at least give her/him a forum where the shameful things they have done can be brought into the open and get nothing but total understanding because the other nurses have been there. Part of the recovery process, is admitting to what you did. I won't share in an AA meeting some of the things I did as a nurse because I'm not going to risk having someone terrified that their mother whos in the hospital won't be given the care she deserves. Or share that I'm feeling terrible urges to use, and gave into those urges, with one of my patients sitting at the meeting. The fellowship at those meetings was phenominal. And it was all Totally AA, it just happened to be for nurses and we had a pharmasist also who joined us.

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Thanks Billyhanes, That's a great idea to start a Nurses AA Group. If I do you'll be the first to know. Thanks for your support.

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I think that forming a nurses group is an excellent idea. I was wondering if you had a sponsor? I have found that it has been a tremendous resource for me.A sponsor or (trusted friend) is somebody we can go to with all our deepest secrets in the process of doing a 5th step and later doing the maintenence steps (10,11,12). The best thing to share about in meetings is your experience with the 12 steps of recovery. It is not how many pills you took or what medications you withheld. We need to be thorough with our fifith step because "we cant make mortar without sand" but we should be thorough with our sponsor; the one who should know us best. I found that most people in recovery who share extremely personal things in the rooms are people who dont have a sponsor. Having a close friend or sponsor is such a wonderful privilage. Nobody knows an alcoholic/addict like what? another alcoholic/addict:D

The best thing about recovery is being happy about it?:yeah:

Good luck in rediscovering your recovery and losing your abstinance.

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When I was in a recovering nurses' program through my BON many many years ago, they told me about the various medical/nurses support meetings I had available to choose from (I was required to attend one as a condition of my being in the program). I chose one and when I didn't really like it very much, I switched to another one I liked better. These were in addition to my regular AA meetings. Why not ask (anonymously if you prefer) your state BON for such a list?

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Specializes in surg/ortho/trauma- float-travel nurse-ic.

Hi. I'm from MA and I attend a weekly meeting called New England Profesionals Group. I've been attending for 8 years and it has grown!! The meeting is for medical professionals in recovery. It is not intended to separate as if "we're better than" it's a support meeting where we can discuss contracts, SARP, COC forms, MPHS etc. The layperson wouldn't know what these abbreviations were and those are just to mention a few. And as much as the program says "anonymous" there are still sick people in the rooms and they can carry our sharing out the door. Also we're able to support the newcomer and suggest how to go about things with the licensing board, jobs, restrictions etc. I DEFINITELY would not rely on this meeting alone to stay sober. It's just an added benefit to 'unload' with issues the general public need not know. We're also able to confront our peers in getting real and possibly help save their life. For instance, I don't use the word 'divert'. I STOLE medication. Until I got completely real and didn't sugar-coat my actions I wasn't able to move forward with complete surrender. One doc in my group says, "if we all got what we deserved we'd be in jail". I have to keep it real and say I stole meds, I stole security and trust etc. I am so grateful for life today. I can only be a nurse if I have recovery first. I just needed to express myself...it was for me and keep going ODAAT!!

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Specializes in ER, LTC, MDS, Hospice.

We have a group of recovering nurses, doctors, and pharmacists here called "Caduceus". I went to that group 7 years ago when I was in recovery. It was run by my outpatient counselor at that time. Now this time, with 4 months clean, I choose not to go to that group this time. There is nothing wrong with it....but I really don't want to go there and listen to everyone tell their woes and talk about their licenses and court, etc. I am facing possibly losing my license and facing court and legal issues. I am getting more understanding, compassion, experience, strength, and hope from the general AA population around here. The people I have gotten close to know my situation, but I don't tell everyone that I am a nurse, what I've done,etc. I like to stick with living in the "solution" rather than the "problem" and work the 12 steps and constantly conversing with my sponsor.

When I was an inpatient at a treatment facility a few months ago, another patient there happened to be a nephew of one of my most recent patients when I was working. He just gave me a hug and said he was glad I was doing the right thing now and that was what mattered. He had no ill feelings about me because I was an addict (as he is). He knew I took great care of his aunt and was grateful.

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