Drug addicted nurses

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Dec 29, 2008

Regardless of how I may personally feel about the ethical/legal issues of nursing and addiction, I just wanted to send out a message of hope for everyone struggling with this issue. Someone very close to me is also struggling with addiction and it is very painful and confusing to watch and understand. There is HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS. Please don't give up. The Lord loves you and all His children are the apple of His eye. Keep fighting the good fight. God love you all and I will pray for you!

Thank you! This is a wonderful attitude to have,,, thank you.

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Jan 7, 2009

Ok...I am 6 months away from graduating with my ADN and I have a question. I understand about nurses that were addicted to pain meds being allowed to work again with or without restrictions however I would like to know your feelings regarding a recovering crystal meth addict going into the field of nursing knowing everything there is to know about every pain med out there? Do you feel like that is a safe situation? I must also mention that this student will show up with a lot of behaviors of someone being on meth, such as picking, not taking care of herself, and losing weight. She has been reported to the director once and was very offended that she had to pee in a cup. I am having a hard time with not being sure that she should handle pts and I'm not sure if that is a valid concern or not. I am really hoping that those of you in recovery can help me with whether or not there is a concern.
Once again congratulations and best wishes to those of you that are in recovery! My prayers are with all of you.

sounds like a ticking time bomb to me........

Rascal1 · Jan 8, 2009

Never,been in that position,in particular. However,I would definitely confront her about it. If you turn the other way, you are enabling this person and are privy to possible legalities.

pollyanna83 · Jan 8, 2009

There is always an emotional or physical precipitating event but that should not be an excuse. In the case of my friend she had a disasterous marriage that ended, tramatic birth, chronic IBS, and the wrong antidepressant administered but she chose to self medicate rather than insist on better medical care and putting her health ahead of everything else for awhile. Once she was appropriately diagnosed and treated, her physical pain and anxiety diminished and she has not had a difficult time staying clean but she still must face the music for that 2 month walk on the dark side. Bottom line is if you are in that much pain, get out, and get help, before you get high and lose everything.

subee, MSN, CRNA · Jan 10, 2009

Never,been in that position,in particular. However,I would definitely confront her about it. If you turn the other way, you are enabling this person and are privy to possible legalities.

This person needs to be out of the program NOW. It she is even motivated to start recovery it is an 80 hour a week job and there's no way she can take care of this while she's a student because she is way far gone in her disease. What happened after the pee test?

tiak41 · Jan 26, 2009

hi, unfortunately, I was on the bad side of the problem, I completed the nurse recovery program which costs over 3,000, then got arrested during a traffic stop 1 1/2 yr later after completing the program and then was placed on probation for another year, and now I originally had a felony and now its knocked down to a misdeamnor of theft and I can't get a job anywhere so basically I went through the program to be sober, it sure didn't help me keep a job, all I am now is a useless registered nurse who is still paying the price of screwing up, I haven't worked since august and my house is in foreclosure , have 5 kids, single and I fight suicidal thoughts everyday just so I can be there for my kids, and to top it all off, I found out my mom is dying from breast cancer so here is my life now and I don't ever see it changing.. the funny thing is, I never used drugs or wanted to use drugs until I was a nurse and had back problems..I had back surgery in 2007 but my back still hurts.. and when we were talking about how nurses, drs stole medications, I remember thinking, I don't have to worry about doing that because I wasn't that way.. how ironic...

jackstem · Jan 26, 2009

Hi tiak,

Unfortunately, finding recovery doesn't guarantee everything will instantly become "better". In fact, as you're finding out, there is still a huge stigma associated with this disease. I no longer practice or have my license. I drifted from job to job never finding anything even close to being a nurse anesthetist. The best paying job I had after my last relapse and plea to felony charges (I got 3 years probation instead of 8 years in a federal prison...who WOULDN'T take that plea?) was working for a landscaping company. I made $11.00/hour. Unfortunately I could only do it for 3 years because of a knee and back problem (had a fusion with 2 rods and 6 screws). I even tried selling cars which I really sucked at! So...I started my own advocacy & consulting business. It's going slow but I am passionate about making a difference in the recovering community and assisting nurses in finding the help they need and deserve. I also became involved with my state nurse anesthesia association as a peer advisor. It doesn't pay a dime but I know I'm making a difference. I also have another business that manages to cover my living expenses.

As a colleague once told me, "There is a cognitive dissonance" in the nursing community. They say substance abuse.chemical dependency are a disease...unless it's another nurse." Truer words have never been spoken. But this problem exists at all levels of society and in the medical community.

YOU ARE NOT A BAD PERSON TRYING TO BECOME GOOD...YOU HAVE A TERRIBLE DISEASE AND ARE TRYING TO BECOME WELL! This disease isn't something you decide to get. It's determined by many factors, biggest one being genetics. Just like cancer...susceptibility+exposure=disease. In 10-20% of the population, chronic exposure to mood altering substance or activities can trigger the disease. The brain is physically and chemically altered leading to a chronic, progressive, unnecessarily fatal disease. But just like other chronic diseases, there is no cure. The "insulin" for our particular disease is to abstain from mood altering substances, share ourselves with others with this disease (AA, NA, as well as non-12 step groups), and seek assistance when things get tough. We aren't responsible for the disease, but we are responsible for maintaining our recovery.

Have you tried to obtain any state or federal assistance? Are you attending any support groups regularly? Keep coming back here and let us know how things are going for you.

You are in my prayers.

Jack

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Jan 27, 2009

hi, unfortunately, I was on the bad side of the problem, I completed the nurse recovery program which costs over 3,000, then got arrested during a traffic stop 1 1/2 yr later after completing the program and then was placed on probation for another year, and now I originally had a felony and now its knocked down to a misdeamnor of theft and I can't get a job anywhere so basically I went through the program to be sober, it sure didn't help me keep a job, all I am now is a useless registered nurse who is still paying the price of screwing up, I haven't worked since august and my house is in foreclosure , have 5 kids, single and I fight suicidal thoughts everyday just so I can be there for my kids, and to top it all off, I found out my mom is dying from breast cancer so here is my life now and I don't ever see it changing.. the funny thing is, I never used drugs or wanted to use drugs until I was a nurse and had back problems..I had back surgery in 2007 but my back still hurts.. and when we were talking about how nurses, drs stole medications, I remember thinking, I don't have to worry about doing that because I wasn't that way.. how ironic...

ok, lets try and dig our way out of this, and do something productive....... Do you go to 12 step programs, you need to, the advantage and life style changes, life thinking changes, and support will be a great assistance. Jobs are networked thru recovery, it is not policy, probably not even encouraged, but it is the fact of life., it just happens. OK, look at LTC, maybe in a position of Facility Nurse Assessor. it is a mgt . nurse assessment job where you do "paper" assessments (MDS/LTCmi). It does not have the clinical environment as other nursing jobs have, be up front, explain what happened. Emphasis on what you have done POSITIVE to change and remedy. Keep your chin up, and remember the absolute worst that can happen, is NO CHANGE.:heartbeat

bezany · Mar 28, 2009

Originally Posted by steelcityrn

I personally have a zero tolorence for a nurse who has stolen medication and or uses drugs and is able to keep a nursing license.

How lucky you are! Then I think it is safe to say you are not an addict. Those of us who are can fully understand the horror of knowing what we are doing is wrong, illegal, stupid, dangerous, and awful. We also understand the obsession and compulsion to use despite knowing all of these things. It really cannot be explained other than the fact that we have a progressive, incurable disease that if not arrested (the disease, not us) will kill us. Do you have tolerance for any ill person who is non-compliant? Do you treat the addicts and alcoholics that you encounter in your practice (and you do encounter them, whether you know it or not) with the compassion and respect that they deserve as sick individuals? Many of them have also stolen and damaged the lives of others. Does it make a difference that we are nurses? The disease does not discriminate. I would suggest that you educate yourself on the disease of addiction. Just a suggestion. Thank God for my fellow nurse addicts that freely share their experience, strength and hope, that I may identify, qualify, and carry on one day at a time!

thmpr · Mar 28, 2009

Default Re: Drug addicted nurses

Originally Posted by Kalico View Post

"Ok...I am 6 months away from graduating with my ADN and I have a question. I understand about nurses that were addicted to pain meds being allowed to work again with or without restrictions however I would like to know your feelings regarding a recovering crystal meth addict going into the field of nursing knowing everything there is to know about every pain med out there? Do you feel like that is a safe situation? I must also mention that this student will show up with a lot of behaviors of someone being on meth, such as picking, not taking care of herself, and losing weight. She has been reported to the director once and was very offended that she had to pee in a cup. I am having a hard time with not being sure that she should handle pts and I'm not sure if that is a valid concern or not. I am really hoping that those of you in recovery can help me with whether or not there is a concern.

Once again congratulations and best wishes to those of you that are in recovery! My prayers are with all of you."

sounds like a ticking time bomb to me........

sounds like a ticking time bomb to me........

Hi Kalico, This may or may not apply to you, so please read in the context of friendly volition (I am nice on Fridays). I have never taken drugs (illicit or the the like), however, am well aware that this does not deem me exempt from unhealthy behaviors. Co-dependency doesn't always have a substance associated with it.

I have always been a person that people confide in, seek assistance and support from, and come to in a crisis. It is no mistake that the only work I have ever done has been in the medical field in one capacity or another. Before becoming a nurse I had the opportunity to take a deeper look at my lack of reciprocal relationships in my life. I also saw a pattern of dropping my own priorities to help others. Since then, there has been a drastic shift in where and with whom I focus my energy. I still throw my two cents around from time to time , but have realized that it is for my own benefit and part of who I am. It works for me in moderation.

My two cents: If you believe your classmate is using and is really your friend, you need to tell her that you will be there for her however you can when she is ready to recover. While she is using: Walk Away and don't look back until she is ready to make that change for herself. Turn her in if you suspect that she is using while taking care of patients. This is the best support you can give her & may even save her life. It is not your emergency; it's hers. You are not abandoning her. There are others who are paid to examine her pee. Don't let yourself get sucked into drama that you cannot fix. Nursing school can be stressful enough...

That said, I think you should always be concerned if you suspect drug abuse- especially where patients could be at risk. I also believe that many recovering addicts are competent and trustworthy nurses. In fact, they are often the ones with the patience, empathy and commitment needed to help some of our toughest patients.

jackstem · Mar 28, 2009

Chemical dependence, also known as addiction, is a chronic, progressive, ultimately fatal disease if it's not treated. The addict isn't capable of knowing when it's time to seek treatment. This denial is pathological and generally can't be overcome in a one on one situation using "common sense" or "logic". This is the reason an intervention is usually necessary to get the addict into treatment. Intervention is a planned event, not to be done by a friend who means well. It needs to be done by someone with experience and training.

Allowing this to continue can lead to more significant problems for everyone involved. Depending on the nurse practice act, you or the instructors at the school may be required to report this to the board of nursing. Also, the hospital where you are performing clinicals may have a reporting mandate.

Ignoring this might keep you from getting involved, however, this is one of the major problems with this whole issue. Substance abuse and addiction are the major public health issues in this country. Until we begin to treat this as a medical problem instead of a moral issue or a lack of willpower, the disease will continue to kill the best and the brightest. If you look at the statistics from studies about who this happens to, you'll see that the largest numbers come from students in the top third of their class. This isn't about weak, stupid, poor folks (all the stereotypes), it's a genetic base disease triggered by using mood altering substances to deal with life's difficulties. Contact the nursing association in your state to find out if there is an alternative to discipline program or peer assistance program available for your classmate.

Ths disease CAN be treated successfully and long term recovery is possible. Waiting to deal with this disease causes the same problems as waiting to deal with cancer or any other chronic, progressive, potentially fatal disease. It makes it difficult to treat and "relapse" is more likely. If this person is a friend, ignoring it isn't the way to deal with it. If you are going to become a health care professional, ignoring this isn't the way to deal with it. It takes intelligence, understanding, and courage to be an outstanding professional health care provider. Let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

longhornfan1 · Mar 30, 2009

So, I am a recovering addict. I like to think of my addiction as "acute" "in remission" or dare I say it "cured". I never tried a drug until I became a nurse. I didn't take them simply because they were accessable. I took them because my body craved them so intensely that I would stoop to any level to get them. I made my decision making "drug focused". I worked in the ICU and used 10 mg Morphine vials multiple times for post-op patients. When a patient comes out of surgery it is really fast paced. The process of signing out and then wasting each unused drug took precious time away from our critical patients. Why waste 8 mg's of MS when you are going to be giving 2 mg's Q 10 mins immediately post-op. So, you would give 2 mg's and put the vial in your pocket. Then pull it out each time you needed it until the patient was comfortable and stable. Then you would gather your meds, chart the doses and waste the remaining with another nurse. So, one morning when I got home from work, I had forgotten to check my pockets. There it was. 6 mg's of MS. So, I set it aside and planned on taking it back on my next shift. But I had to hide it cause if my family saw it, what would they think. So, it happened over and over again, intentionally, maybe, maybe not. Never used it. It just sat there. I think I was afraid to use it cause what if I had a reaction? Or took too much and my kids found me on the floor unconscious? So, one day, I put it in my hip. I felt like I was energized. I got so much done at home that day. So, after about a month of IM Demerol and Morphine, I had a patient on dilauded. Took the excess drug home........along with an insulin syringe. I must have tried for 30 minutes to find a vein. I can find them blind-folded on my patients, but it is more difficult when your doing it upside down. After another month, I was shooting MS and demerol 4 or 5 times a day. But I did not believe I was an addict. It all started when I was prescribed Lortab after my tonsillectomy. I was more efficient, loving, attentive, and focused when I took opiates. I didn't have to use every day. I was PRN so I would go a week without working and without using. Went on vacation for 2 weeks and didn't have any problems. Came back and worked 1 shift, took some dilauded and used it when I got off. Was called in the next day, I thought to work a shift, and was confronted by the DON, HR and several Admin nurses. I denied using or diverting but said I had partied while on vacation and would probably test + on the UDS. So, ignorant as I was, I submitted the urine and went home totally freaked out. Knew it would be positive and could not begin to imagine what would happen next. Looking back, I should have just quit and dealt with their "suspicions" instead of giving them a dirty drug screen. But I didn't know I had a choice. So, I broke down and told my husband that I was suspected, tested and probably terminated for using. But I didn't tell him what I used or that I was diverting. Told him it was Lortab, but I didn't have a current RX for it. So, when I was terminated and reported to TPAPN, I had to finally tell him what really happened. He reamed me up and down. Not supportive, did not recognize a "problem", just called me a junkie and was ****** that I had potentially screwed my career. So, I have been sober since June 2 2006, the day after I got caught. Been through treatment, meetings and so on. I am working in LTC and have access to Lortab, MS tablets and Roxinal. Do I have cravings or feel compelled to take them? Nope. Did I learn my lesson? Yep. But if you ask the professionals if I am "cured" they say there is "no cure". Once an addict, always an addict. But why? If I never did drugs until they were prescribed. Simply because I am the child of an alcoholic, the sister of an addict and the daughter of an undiagnosed and untreated mother with depression and bi-polar. Since I was molested as a child and my father died when I was 16. Since I slept around during high school so I could avoid the abuse at home and wound up pregnant, had an abortion. Since I dated me twice my age until I met my husband and became a parent. Do all of these characteristic combined with the exposure to and subsequent physical addiction to Lortab define me as an addict for the rest of my life. Does that mean AA and NA meetings forever? Does that mean I can't drink at parties and dinner with friends because I might drink more often that it causes me to relapse to opiates? Someone please explain this to me. All addicts deny the addiction at some point in recovery, but don't people recover from the physical addiction and are strong enough to make the right choices when confronted with similiar situations? HELP Thanks