Kentucky Board KARE

For those of you that have relapsed - what did that process look like for you?

DuckyGirl06 said:

For those of you that have relapsed - what did that process look like for you?

I was a chronic relapser for years. I was in active addiction for 8 years before anyone knew. By the end of it I was an IV meth user. For the last 2 years I was in and out of rehabs, never court ordered or forced by the KBN, always voluntarily. I went to 3 rehabs in 4 mos. I've been to short term, long term, out of state, IOP. sober livings, etc. I am currently 20 months clean, happy, healthy, and loving my life. I was on a year of monitoring with random UDS originally. My workplace had suspicion of a relapse, without discussing or questioning me, immediately terminated me, reported me to KBN. I eventually failed a drug screen and came clean to them. Because I was already on an agreed order, I could not adhere to it (able to check in to affinity daily when I went to long term treatment) so I made the decision to voluntarily surrender my license to work on myself. I went to long term and then I worked endlessly, jumping through so many hoops, drastically humbling myself in severe low paying jobs, community living, struggling to survive financially, but I did it. I was reinstated in October 2024. I kept God and my recovery first and God has continued to bless me. When I got reinstated I had the option to do a 4 year limitation probation or the KARE program. KARE was the better option, for several reasons. It is a lot of work, but after a little time you get use to it. It offers a small umbrella of protection. I hope I don't mess up within these 5 years, or ever, but if I do, it allows KBN to pull me out of practice and let me get help then work toward licensure again. I have a really good nurse investigator, she is super supportive, helpful, kind, and communicates great. I have a great work environment (I work in recovery for a new company and eventually will be there nurse practitioner when we open the med management side). I have been through so many struggles the last 2 years, lots of trauma, losses, etc. but today I am grateful for it all. I am such a better person today and my experience I know will make me a great provider and relatable to the population I work for 

Has anyone had their license suspended? What did that process look like for you and how long until you could practice again?

(I'm currently in in-patient rehab for a couple more weeks so I know nothing will happen until that is complete with possible IOP after. Just trying to get a rough idea so I take the right steps forward.)

DuckyGirl06 said:

Has anyone had their license suspended? What did that process look like for you and how long until you could practice again?

(I'm currently in in-patient rehab for a couple more weeks so I know nothing will happen until that is complete with possible IOP after. Just trying to get a rough idea so I take the right steps forward.)

I avoided disciplinary action by entering into the KARE agreement. If you think that's a route you may pursue I would definitely get an attorney to represent you when you meet with KBN. 

Perdy95 said:

I avoided disciplinary action by entering into the KARE agreement. If you think that's a route you may pursue I would definitely get an attorney to represent you when you meet with KBN. 

I was in the KARE program but I relapsed and now my license is suspended pending further investigation. Just kind of curious where it goes from here. 

DuckyGirl06 said:

I was in the KARE program but I relapsed and now my license is suspended pending further investigation. Just kind of curious where it goes from here. 

I gave you a long response above about a week ago. I wasn't necessarily suspended, but I had disciplinary action prior to KARE. I am under the impression that if you are in KARE and you relapse, they pull you from practice, let you get treatment, suspend your license, they you have a list of things you have to do in order to return to practice. I voluntarily surrendered for a year when I went to treatment because I was already on a reprimand order and when I went to treatment I couldn't adhere to my original order (checking in on affinity daily because I had no phone to do so or transportation or lab to go to) there my only option was to voluntarily surrender, which was still considered disciplinary action which was kind of *** considering I made the option to surrender to work on myself, I wasn't forced. Then I had to do a year of a reinstatement process, it is a lot of work, a lot of money, a lot of hoops to jump through and check boxes to mark, but I did it successfully. I am now reinstated and signed for the KARE program even after having about 15 mos sober. You will probably have to do all those things and your KARE will probably be extended, but I am not sure 

WeDoRecover95 said:

I gave you a long response above about a week ago. I wasn't necessarily suspended, but I had disciplinary action prior to KARE. I am under the impression that if you are in KARE and you relapse, they pull you from practice, let you get treatment, suspend your license, they you have a list of things you have to do in order to return to practice. I voluntarily surrendered for a year when I went to treatment because I was already on a reprimand order and when I went to treatment I couldn't adhere to my original order (checking in on affinity daily because I had no phone to do so or transportation or lab to go to) there my only option was to voluntarily surrender, which was still considered disciplinary action which was kind of *** considering I made the option to surrender to work on myself, I wasn't forced. Then I had to do a year of a reinstatement process, it is a lot of work, a lot of money, a lot of hoops to jump through and check boxes to mark, but I did it successfully. I am now reinstated and signed for the KARE program even after having about 15 mos sober. You will probably have to do all those things and your KARE will probably be extended, but I am not sure 

Thank you for your detailed responses. It's crazy that you had to voluntary surrender just because you couldn't adhere to their guidelines while you were IN TREATMENT. You'd think they would be considerate of that. 
I understand there's steps they have to take and it all costs money. But it's wild to me how much all of this is costing when I'm unable to bring in any income. I don't know how people do it sometimes. 

DuckyGirl06 said:

Thank you for your detailed responses. It's crazy that you had to voluntary surrender just because you couldn't adhere to their guidelines while you were IN TREATMENT. You'd think they would be considerate of that. 
I understand there's steps they have to take and it all costs money. But it's wild to me how much all of this is costing when I'm unable to bring in any income. I don't know how people do it sometimes. 

I question this all the time. I am very grateful and blessed that I have had a mom who can and has been willing to help me as long as I stay on the right path. Most people who are going through our scenarios are unemployed while searching for underpaying jobs, or without any additional income, or if you are like me, I was so strung out in addiction before seeking treatment, that I was actually living in my car, lost my job, had no money, and was a mess. When I first got into trouble and had to have my original evaluation I paid for an attorney and it was 10K, very expensive, but at that time, I had sold my house after going to treatment for the 3rd time and made the decision to leave the place where I was continuing to get in trouble so I had the funds to pay for it. To this day, my mother pays for my drug screens because I don't even make 30K a year right now. I have no medicaid, no govt assistance. I live in a one bedroom apartment, have bills, student loans, utilities, etc. and the KARE program is not cheap. I am in therapy, on several medications, but I manage. It genuinely takes a lot of budgeting and work to maintain the way I do, but I do it. I will be BEYOND HAPPY when these 5 years are up, but unfortunately, I am just starting. I do have an interview Friday for a privately owned private practice for an APRN job and I am hopeful they are receptive and open and willing to give me a chance. Sometimes a locally owned private practice is more willing to work with you than a chain or big company! Stay focused, don't give up, it does get better I promise! 

I'm glad people are still participating on this forum.
How long does the reinstatement process take once your license has been suspended? I have heard so many different views, anywhere from 2 weeks to a year.

I'm already 3 months into suspension and have completed most of my requirements (evaluation, treatment, CEs, background check) but I'm just waiting to hear from the BON at this point. No one seems to be able to (or wants to) give me an estimate.

Hannah Bennett said:

I'm glad people are still participating on this forum.
How long does the reinstatement process take once your license has been suspended? I have heard so many different views, anywhere from 2 weeks to a year.

I'm already 3 months into suspension and have completed most of my requirements (evaluation, treatment, CEs, background check) but I'm just waiting to hear from the BON at this point. No one seems to be able to (or wants to) give me an estimate.

My reinstatement process was one year. Before getting reinstated I had to do 24 drug screens in 12 months. I had voluntarily surrendered my license, went to long term treatment. Then when I was ready to start the reinstatement process I let them know, they signed me up for affinity and I started my 12 mos of drug screens, when I got to 11 mos, they let me submit my applications for reinstatement, and was reinstated in October 2024. Don't know if any of that was helpful. I think it just depends on your situation and the requirements they have of you

WeDoRecover95 said:

My reinstatement process was one year. Before getting reinstated I had to do 24 drug screens in 12 months. I had voluntarily surrendered my license, went to long term treatment. Then when I was ready to start the reinstatement process I let them know, they signed me up for affinity and I started my 12 mos of drug screens, when I got to 11 mos, they let me submit my applications for reinstatement, and was reinstated in October 2024. Don't know if any of that was helpful. I think it just depends on your situation and the requirements they have of you

Thank you for that information. My investigator stated that I could "begin the steps for reinstatement" but not actually apply through the BON website yet. Sounds like yours took approximately one month once you actually started applying for reinstatement, correct?

Hannah Bennett said:

Thank you for that information. My investigator stated that I could "begin the steps for reinstatement" but not actually apply through the BON website yet. Sounds like yours took approximately one month once you actually started applying for reinstatement, correct?

It was quicker than that. I think just a few weeks honestly. I don't remember truthfully. It was quick though! Once I submitted my applications it took no time!