CRNA Drug Addiction

[speed]

I have heard from alot of sources that the addiction rate among CRNA's is higher than other nursing specialities. Why is this? I realize availability of drugs, etc. plays a part, but in short I guess what my real question is. If nurse anesthesia is such a great job then why is the addiction rate so high?? When they talk about high job stress as a CRNA, what exactly are they referring to, (having someone's life in your hands)??

[ProspectiveMDC]

Wow! This thread is over 7 years old and still kicking.

I read every post so far, and i'm surprised that with so many professionals in specialized health field no has mentioned "second-hand environmental exposure ." In other words perhaps it's the exposure as said" Environmental exposure may explain the high rates of addiction among anesthesiologists and why recovery for anesthesiologists often necessitates giving up their work in operating rooms and even changing medical specialties"

Also, http://www.anesthesiologynews.com/index.asp?ses=ogst&section_id=1&show=dept&article_id=7579

My question was based on the two said articles were based on anesthesiologists which did not mention CRNAs. Are CRNA's also at risk in environmental exposure?

If so, then this is a very dangerous field. Because, if one takes these substances without knowledge of it, one could become addicted by accident. Then, it would not matter the person type. It could happen to the best of the best.

Or, could this happen to anyone or everyone in the OR?

[jackstem]

Wow! This thread is over 7 years old and still kicking.

I read every post so far, and i'm surprised that with so many professionals in specialized health field no has mentioned "second-hand environmental exposure ." In other words perhaps it's the exposure as said" Environmental exposure may explain the high rates of addiction among anesthesiologists and why recovery for anesthesiologists often necessitates giving up their work in operating rooms and even changing medical specialties"

Also, http://www.anesthesiologynews.com/index.asp?ses=ogst&section_id=1&show=dept&article_id=7579

My question was based on the two said articles were based on anesthesiologists which did not mention CRNAs. Are CRNA's also at risk in environmental exposure?

If so, then this is a very dangerous field. Because, if one takes these substances without knowledge of it, one could become addicted by accident. Then, it would not matter the person type. It could happen to the best of the best.

Or, could this happen to anyone or everyone in the OR?

If chronic exposure to mood altering substances alone caused addiction, then we would have millions and millions more addicts. I have cared for people with chronic pain as a result of both cancer and non-cancer causes, requiring large doses of opioids in order to control their pain. In the people who were lucky enough to have remission or cure of the problem causing the pain, very few developed addiction. They all had physical dependence which is not the same thing as cancer. You'd be surprised at the number of health care professionals don't know that. But if exposure (especially large doses for long periods) caused addiction, then most would actually become addicted.

Evidence is continuing to point to genetics as a major (if not key) player in the development of addiction. Under the right circumstances, with the right substance in the right person...you get addiction. I 'm a good example of this. I got drunk twice...the night of high school graduation (that's long enough ago that the drinking age in my areas was 18...ANCIENT!), and 5 years later at a bachelor party. I got so sick both times that I rarely drank alcohol after that. I'd have an occasional beer with a pizza or steak, but that's it. I have never tried marijuana, ever. I've never tried cocaine. I've received benzodiazepines, opioids (my drug of choice), barbiturates (for induction of anesthesia and as a "sleeper" the night before and the day of surgery (yes, I really am that old). I've received opioids for the treatment of postoperative (T&A, septoplasty, medial meniscectomy (before scopes), and post-trauma pain relief (high school football injuries to knees, nose, arm, back, etc.). So there is my exposure. I found out (after I was in treatment) I had and have numerous relatives who are addicts (my cousin and family doctor died in the mid-60's from alcoholism...he fell off a step ladder (drinking at the time) and hit his head leading to a slow subdural bleed which killed him.

I had spondylolisthesis which caused off and on back pain. I finally had a fusion...but not before my addiction developed. Being a CRNA with access to all sorts of opioids...well, addiction and anesthesia don't mix. I certainly don't fit the stereotype of the "typical" drug addict. But I do fit the model that has, and continues to develop as a result of the research over the past 25 years. As I tell the folks I deal with as a peer advisor...we aren't bad people trying to become good. We have a chronic, progressive, potentially fatal disease...and we're trying to become well.

I think there could be something to the passive exposure theory, but it's still too new to know for sure if it's accurate. But it certainly gives us something to consider when designing new OR's and anesthesia equipment.

Jack