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Discussion

Do you break your own anonymity?

I've been in recovery for nearly 5 years and under monitoring with IPN for the same amount of time. I find that I run into fairly frequent situations where a patient or family member is in recovery themselves or need to find recovery. I struggle with the line between helping someone in need (or encouraging a fellow in recovery) and protecting myself. To this point, I have never had a bad experience with breaking my own anonymity, but I have heard stories from others who have. Typically, I listen to my "gut". If something tells me I should break my anonymity, I do. I'm just wondering how other nurses in recovery feel about this topic?

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    My opinion is in general self-disclosure on any topic is rarely appropriate because it takes the focus off the patient. A skilled clinician can offer empathy and support without the crutch of using their own situation.

    With addictions it tends to play into the Cluster B stuff a newly sober person struggles with "how could you possibly know my pain?".

    My advice is don't fall for it because no matter how many positive self-disclosure examples it definitely can, and likely will, come back to bite you in the butt. Sharing the recent research such as 12 step is helpful for sobriety is always more appropriate, imo.

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    Nursing requires a sense of community resources and the ability to appropriately refer patients to those services.

    Typically when working with others in relation to my job I use vauge wording "I know a few people who this program has worked wonders for, here are some meetings in this area, you may find it helpful".

    I've definitely ran into ex patients/clients at meetings and then I disclose because we are no longer in a therapeutic environment.

    Remember that active addiction/alcoholism is a dangerous time and the sufferer may still be looking to put their best interest first, I know I did. I'd hate to see someone's difficult hospital stay be put on your shoulders because you became an easy target.

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    I've never broken my anonymity in a work setting. I would be concerned that if I did I might end up with a target on my back. It's not any business of my employer or my patients what I've been through in my life.

    Along the same line, I would never disclose the fact that I have mental health issues. It's not their business & I don't believe patients having knowledge of my personal problems could help them in any way. As Jules pointed out, it takes the focus off the patient.

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    Thank you all for your comments!! You all have very valid points and I appreciate your feedback!

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