Detox Clinic..

Whispera, MSN, RN · Nov 9, 2012

do some checking into treatments for alcohol, opiates, benzos....drugs used and other treatments

also, look up CIWA and COWS

garnetgirl29, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2012

Thank you! I'll look that up. :)

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 16, 2012

If you haven't gotten it already, I highly recommend the Substance Abuse Handbook (Pedro Ruiz). It covers multiple CD--and other--addictions and is pretty readable.

garnetgirl29, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2012

Thanks, meriwhen. I'll look for that.

I found out today that I'm hired!!! She didn't even bring me in to interview with the NP like she originally said. Orientation is the 26th! I'm so excited!! And scared!!!

Whispera, MSN, RN · Nov 17, 2012

yay for you!!!!

:)

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 17, 2012

Thanks, meriwhen. I'll look for that.
I found out today that I'm hired!!! She didn't even bring me in to interview with the NP like she originally said. Orientation is the 26th! I'm so excited!! And scared!!!

Welcome to the dark side :) Congratulations and best of luck!

krob0729 · Nov 18, 2012

i just started my 1st pshych job on a dual/diagnosis unit, detox and mental disorders. It's faith based, we also have a 12 step program. This is so different than I am used to. You really have to learn patience with these people, because remember, they are detoxing and want their "stuff" I have to admit that sometimes I think they need to go through the detox part all natural so they can see what they have done to their bodies, mind and health. I understand why the docs put them on certain med, but, all i see sometimes is they get addicted to legal meds. I try to control what i give and try to give alternatives instead of narcotics for pain. It has it's moment, but, for the most part you see some that come in to actually try to recover. Our place is a temp placement, usually 28 days. The ones i really get upset about are the "frequent flyers" who show they have no use in recovery. I'm learning more and more everyday. I am really liking the psych part of nursing.

Whispera, MSN, RN · Nov 18, 2012

to rdnkmom: Sure, there are people who have no interest in recovering. Some come in because they have no food or shelter too and a treatment center provides that. However, not many would choose to be hospitalized rather than to be free to do what they want, unless there's a bigger driving reason than coming in to manipulate the system. Treatment is sooo expensive usually. Drugs are on the streets and easy to get. Coming to a treatment center, well, here's what I think....

I think many, even most, even the frequent flyers, want to kick their habits when they come in voluntarily for treatment, but it's tremendously difficult even with motivation and super treatment available. The addiction is just that--an addiction! It's a coping "skill" gone bad, tremendously bad. Their bodies are revolting against not having what they're used to being in them. They're physically and mentally miserable. Many often have no money to survive in a healthy way, no family or healthy friends, no other coping skills, and all sorts of other barriers that prevent them from choosing a more healthy lifestyle. They want their "stuff" because that's all they know--it takes loads of time and huge mind-over-matter strength to be able to get past that.

It saddens me that you sometimes think they need to go through detox naturally. People die when they do that. They often suffer tremendously when they do that. They're already suffering or they wouldn't be addicts--addiction is often a symptom of underlying depression or other life-chaos. Cold-turkey-ing wouldn't give them skills to remain clean and sober. Punishment seldom works to change behavior. Helping a person find alternatives that work for him is so much better. That takes a long time, however.

There are no clear answers for this. I'm glad you give alternatives. Again, though, remember they're used to something and alternatives aren't always a clearly helpful thing to someone who is used to what he's used to doing.

New programs need to be developed. 28 day programs are few and far between!

I'm glad you're liking your new job. Maybe you can be a person who makes some ripples of change to help people get well more than they are now...

garnetgirl29, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2012

I just wanted to update and say that I made it through the many hours of orientation/training before getting to my assigned clinic and now have almost 2 weeks in the clinic. I wasn't sure about my first week. I felt so lost & so clueless & incredibly stressed. I really don't know much abut drug abuse and felt stupid when a client would ask me questions about track marks, abscesses, why their suboxone was reduced, etc. But, I'm learning more & more everyday and I'm beginning to like it. My co-workers have been amazingly supportive & willing to teach and guide me. I've also done a good deal of research on my own. A few of the clients have really tugged at my heart and I've had to refrain from showing special interest in them. I don't want to appear unprofessional & want to maintain a therapeutic relationship will all my clients.

My supervisor showed me a note that a client wrote about me saying that she felt that I really cared and never judged her. That meant a lot to me because that is exactly how I want my clients to perceive me.

I was also touched when another client I had been helping with an unpleasant side effect requested to talk to me when the more experienced nurse had answered his call. Although, I think it may have been because he was embarrassed and didn't want anyone else to know...lol.

I was married to an alcoholic/drug addict for 10 years and I really wasn't sure this was the place for me. Now, I'm thinking it just might be. I feel like I'm making a difference.

I know I will see many repeat customers & there will be the ones who only come to detox because their family made them do it or legal issues, a place to stay or whatever, but there are the ones who truly want the help, too.

emptyboxcars · Dec 18, 2012

Congrats on your job, garnetgirl29! Can I ask you (and anyone else who wants to answer)....how did you find this job opening? I am a new grad who is *very* interested in working in this field, but very unsure about how to get into it since the clinics are so private. When I do google searches, I notice the web pages are very private about their information. Should I just show up at the offices and drop off resumes? I really have no idea how to go about this. I am leaning toward a position with a clinic vs. the hospital. Thanks!

garnetgirl29, BSN, RN · Dec 18, 2012

I discovered this opening by word of mouth. A friend's husband is an agency nurse and he worked a shift here & told me they were looking. So, I went to their website & filled out an application. I then called the clinic directly and asked if they were accepting applications for LPNs. They said yes and I was instructed to e-mail my resume/application directly to the facility director & I typed a cover letter in the body of the e-mail. A couple days later, I sent a follow-up email. We e-mailed back & forth a couple times and then she called me for an interview. She told me in the interview that she had to get with HR for approval of a new hire and to work up an offer, so I pretty much knew that was going to give me an offer. Two days layer, I had an offer and I had to scramble to get everything I needed to begin orientation (college transcripts, TB test, fingerprints).

Good luck to you!