Nurses Recovery
Published Sep 28
Sam_0896
47 Posts
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.
Healer555
466 Posts
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
LMRN2003, MSN, RN
107 Posts
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).
mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN
3,297 Posts
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.
jadedRN04
65 Posts
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
TIMFY
118 Posts
I am in Texas & I was allowed multiple controlled substances while working/in monitoring.