Crazy Coworker, Drug Abuse, and The Hostile Work Atmosphere

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How should I deal with this coworker?

I have a coworker who is constantly going from one person to the other talking about EVERYONE at work. She keeps things stirred up at work constantly. It has become a dramatic atmosphere. I can take a little drama every know and then but this is over the top drama daily!

Also, this person has told other coworkers she is getting Adderall from the laundry attendant! She has even asked another worker to go to laundry and ask for the pills for her. She comes to work portraying symptoms of a meth addict. She is constantly jittery, fidgeting and extremely intense. She has a prescription for Hydro's and Xanax.

The work atmosphere is extremely intense when she is there. She brown noses the charge nurse with hope that she can get away with her extra long lunch or break. She goes home and has told people she smokes a joint while at home on her break. She tells everyone else she is checking on her grandson.

I am at loss when I try to think of a good way to handle this. Talking with this person will be useless if not detrimental to my job. She likes to lie and could accuse me of saying something hostile or unprofessional.

What should I do? I do not want to find a new job but I am considering doing so because I have a real issue with working with a drug addict who manipulates their atmosphere to suit them. I also love my company and my patients.

I am also concerned with the patient care she provides due to her drug abuse and erratic behavior. I know she talks about other employees to patients and I do not like seeing the company I work for slandered on by an addict.

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Report her! You have a responsibility for these patients just as she does. If there is any suspicion of drug use, there will probably be protocol to test immediately. You may want to discuss with HR first, but I would not procrastinate. These patients are being endangered. Good luck.

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Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

I agree. Report her immediately. Don't try to talk to her. All the patients are endangered. She could

steal meds, give substandard care, the incorrect med or tx, chart a med or tx that she never gave, etc.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Thread moved to nursing colleague & patient relations forum to elicit further response.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Is this woman involved in direct patient care? If so, she's endangering the lives of every patient she comes in contact with. Report her, even if it's anonymous--- doesn't your job do random drug testing. You really have a duty here to report this woman.

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Specializes in ICU.

Agree with all of the above. Good luck.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

See article: The impaired nurse: Would you know what to do if you suspected substance abuse?

Pease bring these concerns to managements attention.

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