Drug addicted nurses

Nurses Recovery

Published

I am a nursing student and in one of my classes we have recently talked about nurses and substance abuse. I think that it is hard for me to wrap my brain around the issue. My questions are:

1. what do you do as a fellow nurse and friend of someone who is involved in substance abuse...especially in the workplace?

2. is this really prevelent and have any of you been put in this position?

Thanks!!

francescafree, I would humbly suggest that you focus on yourself and stop worrying about your friends and their problems. Yes, it's wrong for your friends of many years to abandon you at this time and especially cruel for your friend to expect you to pay her back the money you owe her at this low time in your life. But....you DO owe her the money, right? Focus on yourself and your part in the problem and make ammends where you can. You have made your bed so to speak. You can't control anyone but yourself and dwelling on the short-commings of your lost friends won't help you to right what's wrong with YOU.

I remember when I got the ok to return to nursing. I showed up at a facility dressed for success and ready to go to work. I had a wonderful interview....until I announced that I was in IPN and a recovering nurse. I was shown the door. I went out to my car where my dear husband was waiting for me and I promptly fell apart. I wailed and hollered about how wrong it all was and how nasty that DON was. He just looked at me and said "What did you expect? You've made your bed, now lie in it". It was a hard lesson.

Hold your head high francescafree. You are now clean and sober and your slate is erased. Go forward. If those people don't want be friends any longer, then find new friends. It sounds as though they wouldn't be good friends anyhow. One has a weed habit and the other one is diverting percocet. Not a good idea to hang around with them. Surround yourself with like-minded free and clean folks that won't get you into trouble. Folks that will support your decision to have a better life. Let the past go. This is my advice...for what it's worth.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

To answer your question, I believe your friends may see a part of themselves in you. Or the possibility that they too might abuse drugs. Addiction is a non-judgemental disease. It is more the poor personal choices or lack of personal responsbility. It affects the very poor and the very rich, those from every walk of life. Please do not concern yourself about these friends. Focus on your rehab.

Grannynurse

Up Vote Up Vote ×

it sounds like these 'friends' are rather intimidated by you in that they could very well end up as addicts or w/a dependency problem....a hard truth to face.

and i agree- you need a whole new set of clean friends, who won't drag you down.

are you going to groups at all? in therapy? na?

if this friend does file charges, showing that you are continuing to help yourself will be in your favor.

if you have a therapist, have him/her write a letter on your behalf indicating that you are actively trying to recover and go on w/your life.

any sort of documentation from a professional (even a sponsor) will only show the judge that you continue to strive and make positive changes in your life.

make sure you bring you paycheck or any other proof of income, (as well as bills, mortgages) and let the judge decide what you're capable of paying. maybe he'll order $1/week....:)

but the main focus for you is the lifestyle changes-which also includes friends.

much luck to you and as they say, one day at a time.

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You're so happy I love it! Just wanted to say hello.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You spent way to much time talking about your friend. The problem is yours. Take it from a friend who knows.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How have you been clean for 2 years if you relapse in the winter of 2005?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
How have you been clean for 2 years if you relapse in the winter of 2005?

Good question.......unless she meant last January 2005?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I meant 2004...frannie

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello Everyone,

I have been wondering around this board for a few weeks and finally have the guts to ask a few questions. I am currently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Migraines, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Anxiety, & Depression. I am currently under the care of a Pain Management Dr. My problem is the following, I was an office nurse for 5 years. During this time I underwent several surgeries. The strongest pain med I had ever had that worked for me was Lortab. Well the Dr who had originally dx'd me with Fibromyalgia basically wasn't interested in treating my pain. He tried every med in existance, and nothing helped. (I had Gastric Bypass in 2001) So "I" referred myself to one of the Rheumy's in our area, She was not liked by many of the md's in our large practice. She was very supportive and also tried various medications, tests, etc. Over a period of months I kept going to see her. She told me to hang in there, and if she couldn't help me, that she would refer me to a Pain Clinic. Well, during this time, I had been getting my Lortab in a not so legal fashion, by calling in RX's and writing them out on a script pad that was already signed. (This was given to me because one of the MD's that I worked with was in and out of rehab twice in 1 year) I knew that eventually I would get caught, but I had no other choice. If I did not have pain meds, I could not even get out of bed to go to work and missed many days if I was out of them. When the day came that my supervisor called me into her office, Our office manager was in there too, so I knew my butt was busted. After I signed the papers that I understood what I was being fired for, she told me that the Dr I worked for wanted to talk to me also. It was very emotional and all three of us were crying. I had never gotten into any trouble and was praised daily for the work I was doing. So about 10 days later, I was notified by an investigator for the Alabama bon. He asked if I was using the meds for myself and I told him yes. I guess that he didn't need much more than that, since they already had all the proof that they needed. I missed my first meeting with the BON (too scared to go), and am now scheduled to go at the end of this month.

I really need some advice here as I don't know of anyone else who is in my position to talk to. I will not be able to go to a rehab, because of my pain medications. Any idea what my alternatives may be? I doubt very seriously that my office is going to press any charges on me, can the BON press charges? How does that work? Do I need a lawyer? I saw on the BON website where a girl that I used to work with voluntarily surrendered her license, how do you go about that?. I have been a nurse for almost 12 years and don't think that right now or in the very near future will be able to hold any type of job, due to my physical condition (I am only 34). Any advice, help, or support will be greatly appreciated.

Lady InPain

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hello Everyone,

I have been wondering around this board for a few weeks and finally have the guts to ask a few questions. I am currently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Migraines, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Anxiety, & Depression. I am currently under the care of a Pain Management Dr. My problem is the following, I was an office nurse for 5 years. During this time I underwent several surgeries. The strongest pain med I had ever had that worked for me was Lortab. Well the Dr who had originally dx'd me with Fibromyalgia basically wasn't interested in treating my pain. He tried every med in existance, and nothing helped. (I had Gastric Bypass in 2001) So "I" referred myself to one of the Rheumy's in our area, She was not liked by many of the md's in our large practice. She was very supportive and also tried various medications, tests, etc. Over a period of months I kept going to see her. She told me to hang in there, and if she couldn't help me, that she would refer me to a Pain Clinic. Well, during this time, I had been getting my Lortab in a not so legal fashion, by calling in RX's and writing them out on a script pad that was already signed. (This was given to me because one of the MD's that I worked with was in and out of rehab twice in 1 year) I knew that eventually I would get caught, but I had no other choice. If I did not have pain meds, I could not even get out of bed to go to work and missed many days if I was out of them. When the day came that my supervisor called me into her office, Our office manager was in there too, so I knew my butt was busted. After I signed the papers that I understood what I was being fired for, she told me that the Dr I worked for wanted to talk to me also. It was very emotional and all three of us were crying. I had never gotten into any trouble and was praised daily for the work I was doing. So about 10 days later, I was notified by an investigator for the Alabama bon. He asked if I was using the meds for myself and I told him yes. I guess that he didn't need much more than that, since they already had all the proof that they needed. I missed my first meeting with the BON (too scared to go), and am now scheduled to go at the end of this month.

I really need some advice here as I don't know of anyone else who is in my position to talk to. I will not be able to go to a rehab, because of my pain medications. Any idea what my alternatives may be? I doubt very seriously that my office is going to press any charges on me, can the BON press charges? How does that work? Do I need a lawyer? I saw on the BON website where a girl that I used to work with voluntarily surrendered her license, how do you go about that?. I have been a nurse for almost 12 years and don't think that right now or in the very near future will be able to hold any type of job, due to my physical condition (I am only 34). Any advice, help, or support will be greatly appreciated.

Lady InPain

I strongly advise you see an attorney. Call your state bar association and ask for the names of two or three who specialize in labor law. He/she will see you for a set fee, for one hour. He/she can advise you as to your rights and responsibilities.

Grannynurse:balloons:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree, dont go without an attorney. The BON's focus is on providing SAFE patient care and you were not providing that. Unfortunately, they will more than likely suspend your license for some time. You will have to go to rehab and sign a contract with PAP. I was in rehab with a nurse with almost your exact story. Good luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks you two,

However, Like I said, What if I just surrender my license?

Thanks,

Lady InPain

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment