How to find addiction psychiatrist for board eval???

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Hi, I'm on suspension pending a psychiatrist evaluation with an addiction specialist/psychiatrist. However, I am having a HUGE issue finding someone to do it. I have called everyone within an hour radius of me (and I live by two big metro areas, in the Cleveland OH area). I can't seem to find someone to do this for me. I am certain other nurses in my area have had to go through this process while trying to get their license reinstated, so I am hoping someone here has information for me. I spent over an hour and a half calling different places earlier, and my board monitor's name suggestions all didn't pan out (None of them do the evals anymore). I would be willing to travel up to 2 hours for this, I'd really not like to drive to Columbus if I can avoid it but I would be possibly willing if I can't find anyone more local. TIA everyone!

I'd pay out of pocket but I can't even find someone to do it!

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Specializes in OR.

I would say you could ask the program for recommendations but that may get you one that is in thier pocket. Those results would probably not be exactly impartial. For mine, I went to where they told me (I didn’t know about the shady tactics at the time) and got myself nailed to the wall with improper diagnosis and “recommendations” for very unnecessary, damaging (and very very expensive) treatment.

Whoever you may find (and I envy you the luxury of getting to find your own evaluator) I would suggest that it be someone NOT connected to any treatment facility. If they are as unethical as those I saw, they are more interested in filling beds than in what you might actually need.

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12 minutes ago, catsmeow1972 said:

I would say you could ask the program for recommendations but that may get you one that is in thier pocket. Those results would probably not be exactly impartial. For mine, I went to where they told me (I didn’t know about the shady tactics at the time) and got myself nailed to the wall with improper diagnosis and “recommendations” for very unnecessary, damaging (and very very expensive) treatment.

Whoever you may find (and I envy you the luxury of getting to find your own evaluator) I would suggest that it be someone NOT connected to any treatment facility. If they are as unethical as those I saw, they are more interested in filling beds than in what you might actually need.

what stinks is that they aren't even recommending a certain person to me. I WISH they would, because I can't find anyone. As far as filling beds, jeez, I certainly wouldn't need any of that.. I've had no issues with my mental health or substances etc in 2 years. But yeah, I've had improper diagnoses before so I know where you're coming from. It just stinks that I've done so much in my life to improve it all, and have been stable, but they are giving me such a hard time.

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13 minutes ago, ksuSN12 said:

what stinks is that they aren't even recommending a certain person to me. I WISH they would, because I can't find anyone. As far as filling beds, jeez, I certainly wouldn't need any of that.. I've had no issues with my mental health or substances etc in 2 years. But yeah, I've had improper diagnoses before so I know where you're coming from. It just stinks that I've done so much in my life to improve it all, and have been stable, but they are giving me such a hard time.

It will never go away until THEY are satisfied that you are not a psycho. I came back this time with almost 2 years clean and letters from everywhere. None of it matters... If you meet criteria for eval., they are going to refer you, if for no other reason than CYA. If by some miracle you make it to the end of your contract without incident, they will reluctantly release the death hold of their talons from your flesh. If you have an incident, false accusation from a co-worker (happened recently to one of the members of my group), even if you test negative for everything, pass a lie detector (I'm being facetious), squat, spread your cheeks and cough, etc... They will still ere on the side of CYA and set you back about 18 mos. Drop any notion you have of anything resembling "advocacy" and remind yourself that YOU are the only one who has your back and proceed accordingly. Your group members and we here at allnurses/recovery will do our best to guide you through the insanity. And we do a pretty good job, I might add. So, keep coming back! You will eventually make it!

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Specializes in Substance abuse recovery advocate; LTC.

FYI in my state it has to be a board approved facility that evaluates you in order to 'count'

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11 minutes ago, RecoveryNurse2015 said:

FYI in my state it has to be a board approved facility that evaluates you in order to 'count'

It's the same here in Ohio. And unfortunately, the one I did find was not approved because he is not specifically certified in addiction, despite being a psychiatrist that does treat addiction.

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Specializes in Substance abuse recovery advocate; LTC.
Just now, ksuSN12 said:

It's the same here in Ohio. And unfortunately, the one I did find was not approved because he is not specifically certified in addiction, despite being a psychiatrist that does treat addiction.

My first eval was at a local D&A counseling place. It didn't count for the official eval but then again I was so far in denial at that time that I showed up after drinking and didn't think it was a big deal smh

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Specializes in Telephonic and Addictions Nursing.
On 3/6/2019 at 7:00 AM, RecoveryNurse2015 said:

My first eval was at a local D&A counseling place. It didn't count for the official eval but then again I was so far in denial at that time that I showed up after drinking and didn't think it was a big deal smh

Its so strange my state never had me do an eval. Maybe it was because by each time I talked to them I already was in an IOP? I know the 2nd time (and getting kicked out of the monitoring program) the director of discipline came to my IOP to face to face talks with my therapist.

Still, for me it wasn't about the eval but figuring out how not to make a mess of my life.

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Specializes in Substance abuse recovery advocate; LTC.

I had to begin at square one when I attempted to gain my license back, I'm kind of glad I didn't realize how long it was going to take after I took that first step. I really believed easy peasy I'm ready to work as a nurse again lol

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Specializes in Addiction Medicine, ER, and Psychiatry.

I had to drive 3.5 hours from home and pay $1300 out of pocket. Not an easy task... Best of luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care.
On 3/22/2019 at 1:01 PM, cfvincent said:

I had to drive 3.5 hours from home and pay $1300 out of pocket. Not an easy task... Best of luck!

Hey cf

If possible, can you message me the name of your evaluator ? I’m in your state as well (you can read my post), and after reading the suggestions, will probably have to be evaluated, at the very least. I’m not even looking at being reinstated, would just like to have the “revoked/expired” changed to just “expired”. I am 20 credits from my BSN and have an unencumbered license in NH, my MA license was by reciprocity, only because I needed to relocate to care for my elderly Aunt. Any information you can share would be extremely appreciated.

Thanks so much!

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The update is that I finally found someone (In Cincinnati, of course) to do the eval that the board approves of. If anyone is curious, it's $500 and the provider is Abe Soliman. Just in case anyone else needs it. I'm going this Saturday, wish me luck!

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