Advice for dealing with addicts?

RxOnly · Jan 15, 2013

Girl, I could have written the same post. When I worked detox on the night shift, I was lucky enough to at least have another nurse to back me up.

I never tolerated shouting or demands. My response was always "I have doctor's orders that I have to abide by. I apologize, but I can't stray from them for anyone." or "Excuse me, I haven't cursed at you and I'd appreciate the same courtesy. I am a professional and would like to be treated as such" or "I expect to be treated with the same respect that I give you"

And then, I would DOCUMENT MY BUTT OFF. Every swear, every derrogatory word they'd say and what my polite but firm response was.

Another thing I'd do is get clarification from the MD about what meds can be given together. I used to have patients scream at me for both Tylenol and Motrin together. The order didn't specify if they could be given together or not, so I had my nurse manager get it clarified since it seemed like every nurse did it differently. Same with benadryl and melatonin for sleep. It seemed like when I got in at 11pm there was a line at the nurse's station for benadryl. I had enough to worry about with new admissions and scheduled meds. Finally nurse manager and Doc decided that they could choose either one or the other with their 10pm PRN meds. After all, they are there to detox- not take alternative mood altering meds.

One thing that SOMETIMES helped me was when I told the patients "We don't want you to suffer, but unfortunately detox isn't pain-free. We're trying to help you learn to live without these meds." ...if they persisted, I'd tell them "If you lay down and honestly try to sleep for 45 minutes, I'll give you a dose of (insert name of whatever PRN sleep med is ordered), but I really need you to try it first."

PM me anytime... I could vent about working detox for days...

garnetgirl29, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2013

"We don't want you to suffer, but unfortunately detox isn't pain-free. We're trying to help you learn to live without these meds." That's good. I'll have to use that one.

One of the clients told a crisis worker that she was going to have seizures cuz I wouldn't give her any vistaril & that she was supposed to have it 3 times a day to prevent seizures. Um, either she doesn't know the difference in neurontin (which she does and did get 3 times a day) & vistaril, or she was just trying to find any reason to get sympathy from someone. She & and I started off on the wrong foot because when I did her nursing assessment, she didn't meet the COWS. She argued & cussed me because I wouldn't start her on suboxone right away. I remained professional, tried to explain the purpose of the COWS and that I could not deviate from it & didn't treat her any differently, but we have 3 right now who are really manipulative & will look you straight in the eye and lie and are constantly seeking meds. It's really frustrating, especially when they get the others riled up & thinking they need more meds, too. Ugh.

One of those three was stretched out on the couch in the day room when I was delivering scheduled meds to some others and when she saw me, she raised her hand up in the air and yelled, "Tylenol!" I completely ignored her. I don't treat anyone else that way & I'm not going to accept that type of treatment from anyone.

sharpeimom · Jan 15, 2013

When I worked addictions and clients were rude, I became conveniently deaf until they asked politely, or at least quit yelling and demanding whatever "right now!" I felt (sorry, the bold won't go off)that was a big part of the respect I required they give me and the psych aides on my shift. When they would ask for meds it wasn't time for yet, not ordered by the MD, or whatever, I'd tell them, over and over if necessary, that we could only give what their doctor had ordered. I documented very very thoroughly and in detail -- vile and vulgar language and my responses included. If necessary, I kept repeating the same thing over and over. Rely on the psych aides because they're a great source of patient info. I take Neurontin for simple and partial complex seizures along with Keppra and Neurontin was never intended to be a stand alone drug. The way my neuro orders it for most of his adult patients is to order 100 mg capsules with a range dosage instead of a set dosage. For example, I must take a total of 700 mg spread out through the day, but during summer, humid weather, when it thunderstorms, when I have a temp, etc., I may add up to 500 mg more. The patient claiming to be having seizure may actually have been having one. When I have a seizure, it's nearly invisible. I can talk, follow a conversation,and except for muscle contractions of vice grip strength, very few people know. If Neurontin alone was ordered for seizures, your patient might indeed be having a few.

garnetgirl29, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2013

Thanks, sharpiemom. Our doctor frequently orders neurontin for our detox clients while in our care to prevent seizures, ease pain, & help with mood stabilization. She has no hx of seizures, so I think she was just running her mouth. She has many of the characteristics of borderline personality disorder. Fun, fun.

WildflowerRN · Jan 16, 2013

I feel your pain. Addicts will wear you out - body and soul...

RxOnly · Jan 16, 2013

Thanks, sharpiemom. Our doctor frequently orders neurontin for our detox clients while in our care to prevent seizures, ease pain, & help with mood stabilization. She has no hx of seizures, so I think she was just running her mouth. She has many of the characteristics of borderline personality disorder. Fun, fun.

I don't know if it's a regional thing, but south of Boston the kids call them "Johnny's" or "Johnny Rottens" Neurontin is one of the most abused non-controlled substances around here. One night shift, I even heard a guy sharing a recipe for a "Southie Cocktail" which involved peeling open several Neurontin caps and pouring the powder into a can of Redbull. What the heck!? Neurontin will give you a buzz at a high enough dosage, and it will also increase the effects of opiates (by some chemical reaction in the brain that I can't quite recall).

I used to call it Vitamin G (for Gabapentin) because the doc's prescribed it for EVERYTHING... I had guys say they were on it for seizures, mood disorders, anxiety, headaches, nerve pain, sleep, the list goes on.

And about you ignoring the girl who raised her hand and yelled "Tylenol!" GOOD JOB! I know we're nurses and are supposed to take care of patients, but part of taking care of them is promoting independence and self care. So, if she can walk and talk there is no reason she can't sit up and say "Nurse, do you mind grabbing me some Tylenol?"

I used to call our nurses' station the "fish bowl" because it was surrounded by plexi-glass windows. Patients used to knock and point at me, then make sign language about that they wanted (meds, a sandwich, whatever) ...I used to magically turn blind when that happened until they appeared at the nice wide doorway to the station where they had plenty of room to make their requests.

Bandido243 · Jan 16, 2013

Our jobs are tough for many reasons. We are nurses because we care and want to help. We run ourselves into the ground trying to take care of those who may not know how to take care of themselves or may not want to take care of themselves.

I have to be tough sometimes. I have to be strict and sometimes I have to be the nurse I didn't like when I was sick (Nurse Diesel). It's all about what is best for our pts. I have to remember that. And if the pt doesn't like me because of it - it's ok.

It's ok RxOnly. It's ok.

krob0729 · Jan 26, 2013

I am so mentally drained somedays that I often wonder what in the heck i'm doing working a rehab hosp. Especially when you see your frequent flyers. It's like "why do I bother"? You know they are going to be back next month, then, I find myself not wanting to give them PRN's because I think if they actually went through detox the hard way, they might not want to put their bodies through that. Then here comes that one patient that you can see in their eyes and soul that they want to get clean. They won't even take the prescribed Norco for pain because they want off of all drugs. Then my hope is renewed. All I know is that being a Psych nurse is a whole different animal that what I'm used to.

Imarisk2 · Mar 5, 2013

Don't argue with them. Get a Doctor's order stating that these meds need to be given an hour apart, and clarifying which one should be given first. You could even make a valid argument for rearranging your standard protocols.

About a month ago we were surveyed by Jhaco, and this was THEIR correction to our standard methodology. We changed our protocols to reflect that when two prn's are given for the same reason, the doctor's order MUST indicate which is to be given first. We already had the one hour apart thing going on but the surveyor was horrified that the nurse, and not the doctor, determined which med(s) to give for anxiety and/or sleep first.

I tell my patients that this way, we can tell what works for them and what doesn't without overloading them on meds that may be working against each other, or producing horrible side effects. And when my rationale doesn't work, there's the doctor's order in black and white. I can't lose, and the addict's whining won't help either of us.

TerpGal02, ASN · Mar 8, 2013

Working with addicts can be so draining, especially when you are working with them in the community and they are actively using and all you can basically do with them is harm reduction. Addicts while in the throes of their addiction (or precontemplation as the stages of change puts it) think they are the smartest people in the world and they can get away with pretty much everything be ause they are just so slick. Our pdocs rx pad has multiple boxes on it so he can write for more t han one med on each one. He crosses out the unused boxes. We had a client get a refill script for seroquel, and in one of the crossed out boxes she tried to write a script for oxycodone for herself. The pharmacy caught it and let us know. They even gave her the chance to fess up and she bald faced lied to them. She got arrested, kicked out of our program and will probably have to do the rest of her 15 year priso. Sentence (she was on probation). It is really frustrating to deal with, or you KNOW someone is looking for a benzo and magically atarax, melatonin, trazodone and even SEROQUEL doesn't help them sleep. Uh huh. But then I remember that when.someone is in withdrawals, they are really sick, probably the sickest they have felt EVER. I know I can't expect them to be sunshine and daisies. I'm a freakin pain in the ass when I have a COLD LOL. But yeah, it can vet tiresome, and setting boundaries and repeating it over, and over, and over is the best way to go. Even more fun when you throw axis II traits into the mix.

ERRN92 · Apr 13, 2013

As Nurses we are taught not to judge. However there is a fine line between compassion and being taken for granted. That is something we all have to deal with on a personal basis. As an educated Professional - Im sure you will make the right decision.