Anyone ever go into rehab voluntarily? How do you navigate BON/Work?

Nurses Recovery

Updated:   Published

Hi All -

RN here - currently in Alcohol counseling and AA. My counselor and PCP have recommended I go into a treatment program for awhile. I am uneasy in how to tell this to my current employer, as it would be for 6+ weeks. To be clear - I don't divert drugs, I do not come to work under the influence. My life outside of work is becoming unmanageable and I would like to seek treatment. I am afraid of

A) being fired

B) getting reported to the BON for a voluntary rehab/detox stay

Anyone have any advice for how to navigate this? Personal experience?

Thank you

hppygr8ful said:

Well annecdotal evidence is the worst kind but there is nothging in the California Nurse Practice act that requires a nurse to turn in another nurse who is seeking help for their disease process. In my 20 years of sobriety I have helped and sponsored several peers who were nurses and never turned them in.

Hppy

Is there anything that says they CANNOT report you? I think if there isn't some stipulation that exempts nurses who are seeking help, then op should keep it to themselves. 

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Healer555 said:

In my required group therapy we were told we are mandated reporters. Perhaps that wasn't true or perhaps it's state specific.  I can say that 100% Hippa can be ignored to report a provider for a perceived SUD sadly.

Mandated reporting only applies when you can prove someone is a danger to themselves or others. A person who is not impaired on the job and voluntarily seeks treatment doesn't meet that criteria. It's not even legal criteria to place them on a psych hold. Oh and it's HIPAA not Hippa!

Hppy

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Think what you Want but there are people who weren't impaired at work who were reported and HIPPA was broken to get them into a monitoring agreement.  

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I agree completely with not telling your work or anyone. Take FMLA. Go to treatment. Take care of yourself but You do not want to be reported to the health professional program and have to go through a monitoring plan when you get out of treatment. It is just going to add a lot of stress for you. I know people will say, "Oh it's great to be in a monitoring plan. I am documenting my recovery, and it doesn't bother me that I have to call every day to see if I need to get drug tested for the next 5 years. I like being held accountable." If you ask me- anyone that says that and really means it- is probably on drugs because it sucks. You have to tell your dentist and your pharmacist and your doctor that you are in recovery, and you have to get permission to go on vacation. The drug tests are expensive, and it is really humiliating to pee in front of someone twice a week. And as far as your work wouldn't report you if you are getting help- that no true. They will report you. I was going to treatment, and I had no problems at all with work and the minute I told them I was going they acted like they were in compete shock. They had no idea I had a problem. Well, I wasn't out of the building, and they had already called the state. 

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Specializes in Mental health, Critical Care, Nurse Educator du.

I would suggest really looking closely at the facilities you are looking at. As someone who works in one of these facilities, I will say that, it depends on where you go. The place I work wouldn't even think to do something like that unless it was a situation like you mentioned where diversion was taking place or patient safety was an issue. 

Don't go to any facility that has a track for healthcare professionals. Don't go anywhere that takes referrals from a licensing board.  

I attended treatment before I was in IPN, I disclosed I was a nurse, and never was there any worry or mention about being reported to the BON. 

Again, just be cautious about where you go. Not sure what state you're in, but it's also probably not a good idea to go somewhere in your in state.  

I applaud you for seeking help!  You're absolutely doing the right thing 

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Well.. If someone finds out you're in Rehab and your employer finds out from a third party-are you OK with that?  Think this through with your family and make the best decision-Don't make a decision out of fear...Will the individuals who are telling you "it's no one's business" be there if you have to speak to this later? Self reporting shows you're taking accountability and responsibility for what you've done and moving towards making it better.  Your future, your family, your finances, your character -your decision.

 

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
TeaCea said:

Well.. If someone finds out you're in Rehab and your employer finds out from a third party-are you OK with that?  Think this through with your family and make the best decision-Don't make a decision out of fear...Will the individuals who are telling you "it's no one's business" be there if you have to speak to this later? Self reporting shows you're taking accountability and responsibility for what you've done and moving towards making it better.  Your future, your family, your finances, your character -your decision.

 

This is horrible advice. Do what you need to do to stay sober but keep it to yourself. 

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"Keep it to yourself"...I'm sure this is the same advice you give yourself when you make mistakes. No further discussion..

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TeaCea said:

"Keep it to yourself"...I'm sure this is the same advice you give yourself when you make mistakes. No further discussion..

I'd keep it to myself that you're a nurse. Just saying

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
TeaCea said:

"Keep it to yourself"...I'm sure this is the same advice you give yourself when you make mistakes. No further discussion..

Learn from your mistakes and move on, don't make your life unnecessarily difficult.  

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Healer555 said:

Learn from your mistakes and move on, don't make your life unnecessarily difficult.  

I do agree. Recovery is hard enough as it is without jumping feet first into a pond of monitoring and upwards of 45K. Those who  have not been through it don't know the pain. 

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
Healer555 said:

Think what you Want but there are people who weren't impaired at work who were reported and HIPPA was broken to get them into a monitoring agreement.  

How is it these nurses even attracted anyone's attention.  Are you saying that the TX. providers contacted the employer?

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