Drug seekers

Nurses General Nursing

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I am almost out of nursing school to get my ADN and be an RN. I was curious for those of you who work in a hospital/clinic setting of how often patients are only seeking admission to fuel their drug addictions. My concern is that when health care is "FREE" that they will overwhelm the system with their addictive behaviors and tax payers will foot the bill.

Would love to hear your viewpoints on this.

Thank you!

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Specializes in Hospice.

They already have and we already do. And who is proposing "free" health care, anyway?

Do a search on drug-seeking ... many threads deal with this.

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And who is proposing "free" health care, anyway?

Obama's health care reform. I put free in quotes because technically it wont be FREE! Just handed out to anyone who needs it. I am just wondering professionals opinions on if they think this will be a big issue once socialized medicine begins.

Thank you for your advice!

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Drug seekers? How many drug seekers are addicts, and how many have uncontrolled or minimally controlled pain? What constitutes a "drug seeker"? Do you think people who abuse the system now are footing their own bills? Do you think all abusers of the system are "drug seekers?" What sort of free health care are you speaking of? Medicare? Medicaid? VA benefits? The poor who use the ED as a primary provider? Taxpayers and people with insurance always have and always will foot the bill for those who cannot or will not pay. Nothing new there.

Addictive behaviors are your job security. I'd wager food and nicotine addictions count for more admissions on my floor than drug addictions. If people didn't smoke and weren't fat, we'd have far fewer nursing positions. I honestly don't see many drug addicts. I see many people with chronic pain. I see a whole slew of COPDers, most of whom smoked until diagnosis, some of whom continue to smoke. I see a lot of diabetics and heart failure pts who continue to be noncompliant with diet and/or behaviors such as smoking and exercise, resulting in repeated admissions. Shrug. It's human nature, and the nature of your chosen profession. Humans are complex animals, and it's difficult to be so judgmental when so few of us are perfect creatures.

Good luck in your future profession. I hope you continue with the critical thinking and dialogue, but lose some of the judgmental ideas, or at least develop an appreciation for the complexity of treating pain as well as addictions.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

just do a search here this horse has been pretty well beaten.....

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Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.

I have a news flash for you. Those drug seeking patients ALREADY HAVE FREE HEALTHCARE. Do you really think the drug addicts are working 9-5 jobs and pay for their health insurance? The reality is their lives center around getting their next fix. They don't work, or work minimally. They hit the ER anyway because they can't afford health insurance and they know the lingo to get what they want.

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Interesting feedback Bluegrass. Lots of insightful things I haven't thought of yet. I also feel placing judgment on people is not in good taste or effective. Hope I didn't come across as sounding nasty or judgmental towards anyone. Just voicing reality.

Thanks again!

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If you want an "intelligent" debate about health care, private health insurance, socialism. That is fine and appropriate.

You demean the whole debate implying our hospitals, clinics, ER's are suddenly going to be overrun with drug addicts if there is "free" health care.

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Specializes in Med surg, LTC, Administration.
Drug seekers? How many drug seekers are addicts, and how many have uncontrolled or minimally controlled pain? What constitutes a "drug seeker"? Do you think people who abuse the system now are footing their own bills? Do you think all abusers of the system are "drug seekers?" What sort of free health care are you speaking of? Medicare? Medicaid? VA benefits? The poor who use the ED as a primary provider? Taxpayers and people with insurance always have and always will foot the bill for those who cannot or will not pay. Nothing new there.

Addictive behaviors are your job security. I'd wager food and nicotine addictions count for more admissions on my floor than drug addictions. If people didn't smoke and weren't fat, we'd have far fewer nursing positions. I honestly don't see many drug addicts. I see many people with chronic pain. I see a whole slew of COPDers, most of whom smoked until diagnosis, some of whom continue to smoke. I see a lot of diabetics and heart failure pts who continue to be noncompliant with diet and/or behaviors such as smoking and exercise, resulting in repeated admissions. Shrug. It's human nature, and the nature of your chosen profession. Humans are complex animals, and it's difficult to be so judgmental when so few of us are perfect creatures.

Good luck in your future profession. I hope you continue with the critical thinking and dialogue, but lose some of the judgmental ideas, or at least develop an appreciation for the complexity of treating pain as well as addictions.

Outstanding post! Thank you!

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Specializes in ER/ MEDICAL ICU / CCU/OB-GYN /CORRECTION.

Deleted

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If you want an "intelligent" debate about health care, private health insurance, socialism. That is fine and appropriate.

You demean the whole debate implying our hospitals, clinics, ER's are suddenly going to be overrun with drug addicts if there is "free" health care.

Yikes! So many people agitated! I am not implying that it's my opinion the ER's would be overrun. That is why I'm asking YOU what you think because I don't know. I don't work in a hospital and was curious if some one could tell ME what they think would happen. LOL If I wanted to squabble back and forth about my intentions I'd go ask my nine year old child to go clean his room. LOL Sorry to have the focus steered on me and my mind rather than the question!

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Specializes in Hospice.
Obama's health care reform. I put free in quotes because technically it wont be FREE! Just handed out to anyone who needs it. I am just wondering professionals opinions on if they think this will be a big issue once socialized medicine begins.

Thank you for your advice!

Yikes! So many people agitated! I am not implying that it's my opinion the ER's would be overrun. That is why I'm asking YOU what you think because I don't know. I don't work in a hospital and was curious if some one could tell ME what they think would happen. LOL If I wanted to squabble back and forth about my intentions I'd go ask my nine year old child to go clean his room. LOL Sorry to have the focus steered on me and my mind rather than the question!

Still wondering where you're getting your information on the new healthcare laws.

That being said ... it would also be interesting to know why you would assume that there would be a flood of "drug seekers" over and above what we are already experiencing.

We have already voiced the opinions you asked about ... I'm curious as to whether you have searched the site and your reactions to what you've read.

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