Disclosing former substance abuse for licensure.

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Hi everyone,

I just began my LPN program. I am also a recovering drug addict with 3 years clean and sober. I have a clean criminal record but just noticed the Good Moral Character requirement asks for a completion letter from a drug/alcohol rehab and a letter from a 12 step sponsor. I have worked hard to change my life into a person of honesty and integrity and do not want to lie. However, is it necessary to disclose if I have no criminal record? I'm lost about this and could use some advice. Thanks! -M

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I would not, I can't imagine the board would ever just say "oh ok he's been clean for a while he's good". They will most likely want to meet and discuss an evaluation to determine if you're as clean and sober as you say you are. Honesty is good but these programs sometimes do more hard than good. If you have no legal paper trail of your addiction then I would just say no. Believe me, you don't want to be involved in any states "recovery" program if you don't have to

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No way would I admit to it if you don't have a problem now. They will definite want you to go through their monitoring program which will cost you years of your life having to check in daily, stress daily about whether you accidentally ate something made with wine vinegar or used an alcohol based hand sanitizer, and will cost you thousands of dollars. It will add a stigma to you right off the bat, requiring restrictions for the first 6 months to a year which will make it very difficult to get a job. Oh heck no, don't disclose.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

You may want to talk to a lawyer about this before you do anything.

Per my read/knowledge (I am not a lawyer or legal expert, just reading the documents):

"Individuals who answer yes” to the GMC-related licensure or APRN authorization application questions and who are not excluded from licensure or authorization as set forth in Licensure Policy 00-01 must submit all relevant documentation as required for the Board to determine his/hercompliance with the GMC licensure requirement.".

If you have to answer "yes"to any questions you would then fall under obligation for documentation relating to and 12-step programs or drug/alcohol rehabilitation programs. If you don't have to answer "yes" then it does not apply.

Questions are:

"• 1. Has any disciplinary action ever been taken against you by a professional and/or trade licensing/certification board located in the United States or any country/foreign jurisdiction, including removal from a long-term care nurse aide registry program?

• 2. Are you the subject of pending disciplinary action by a professional and/or trade licensing/certification board located in the United States or any country/foreign jurisdiction?

• 3. Have you ever applied for, and been denied, a professional and/or trade license/certification in the United States or any other country/foreign jurisdiction?

• 4. Have you ever surrendered or resigned a professional and/or trade license/certificate in the United States or any other country/foreign jurisdiction?

• 5. Have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in the United States or any other country/foreign jurisdiction?

• 6. Are you the subject of any pending or open criminal case (s) or investigation (s), (including for any felony or misdemeanor) in a jurisdiction in the United States or any country/foreign jurisdiction?"

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I did, they required a psychiatric exam $1,500. I will have to be monitored for a minimum of 3 years. I wanted to be honest; this will cost a fortune. In addition, you are subject to a lot of tests for alcohol and substance which do have an error rate. The chances of your situation being compounded by an erroneous test are great. I am not telling you not to disclose and I am not sorry I did. I will say however that the process has just about convinced me to change career aspirations. I had only 13 months of sobriety, if it were 3 years I would not have said anything.

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Tell them nothing if you are smart. You will be placed in an expensive program that will do you much more harm than good

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Absolutely not! It is none of their business just as their past is none of your business. You will be persecuted, crucified and hung on the cross. Nurses are to be immune from "character flaws".

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Specializes in ICU; Telephone Triage Nurse.

Nope. If you completed a decree of censure program satisfactorily and were released then your license has been wiped clean. Nothing to report or see here, thank you very much.

To do so would open a can of worms unnecessarily, which is not in your best interest.

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Have you lost your mind? Have you discussed this with your sponsor?

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I would not. I know honesty is generally important in recovery but I also feel that if this means you'd be then placed in a drug testing program for years and even potentially a mark on your license that never goes away (depending on your state and the circumstances) then that isn't good for recovery either. I know they worded it like they just need those documents and you're good to go but I'm not so sure about that as I've heard of many if not most nurses in your situation to at least end up in a monitoring program, even though they've been clean for years.

If you're going to do it anyway, at least ask a lawyer first but I still wouldn't do it.

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