Are you allowed controlled medications while you work?

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I have been on ritalin for 20+ years for adhd. My program does not allow nurses to take any controlled substances, with or without a prescription, except for adhd. You need a letter from the doctor stating that this is the only medication you can take. I feel uncomfortable asking for the letter because I frankly do not want to share being in monitoring with anyone. I did not tell my psychiatrist but I have to, and guess my worry is that he will think I'm suspect now. I failed a urine drug screen for alcohol while in monitoring so I was put in AA, and had to undergo treatment for alcoholism. Normally, I do drink alcohol in moderation and never on days that I've taken ritalin. A big part of how I cope with monitoring is to keep it in a box that I don't talk about unless it's absolutely necessary. 

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Oh I tell all.doctors nurses etc. I'm in monitoring for a SUD I don't have. J really wish I had known this could have happened.  I tell everyone to warn them . We all need to talk openly about this

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Specializes in Home Health/Hospice, Public Health, Case Mgmt.

I understand how you feel. I hated discussing my issues with health care folks. I still do. I think a lot of it (at least for me) is because I feel embarrassed because I am a health professional myself and I feel like I should "know better." I also know how badly people with substance abuse issues get judged/treated by the majority of the healthcare community. However, you need to just be honest with your doctor (even though it's tough). 

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

How is that legal??  When I went to employee health, I shared what I take and it is covered by HIPAA. This doesn't sound right to me. 

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Specializes in ICU,CCU,Med/Surg,LTC.

Not quite what you were asking about but the Indiana BON got their bits in a wringer over not allowing nurses on MAT to participate in the state's nurse recovery program.https://archive.ada.gov/indiana_nursing_lof.pdf

 

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I am in Texas & I was allowed multiple controlled substances while working/in monitoring. 

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