Kentucky Board KARE

On 10/15/2018 at 6:18 PM, tarab333 said:

Don't let it get you overwhelmed, it's a process. Next month, it will be 2 years into the 5 already for me. It goes fast- they are super friendly and helpful. Just remember to check in with Affinity daily- get a system for that- it is the first thing I do everyday and I the confirmation in my calendar. Go to your meetings, send in your monthly reports. It becomes second nature. This is a great forum for support. Best, Tara

Help me!!!!!! I’m devastated and scared and don’t feel like I can do this

I’m so scared. I feel so defeated. I cannot imagine not wearing perfume or using hand sanitizer for the next five years. My DUI was due to alcohol. Why are they treating me like a drug abuser? I don’t think I can do this. I already have anxiety and depression. I have my whole life. This is more than I can handle.

30 minutes ago, Tracey Kuchowicz said:

I’m so scared. I feel so defeated. I cannot imagine not wearing perfume or using hand sanitizer for the next five years. My DUI was due to alcohol. Why are they treating me like a drug abuser? I don’t think I can do this. I already have anxiety and depression. I have my whole life. This is more than I can handle.

Okay, for starters, breathe....deep breath, in and out. No hyperventilating.

Im not in Kentucky but the descriptions above mirror the one I am swimming through. In answer to your question of why you are being treated like a drug abuser...these things have one profile and that is of the person with a SUD who is on the verge of relapse. They do not differentiate between the person with a significant problem that is in need of monitoring and the person with a singular stupid decision.

It is much easier to generate the same contract and stipulations for everyone. Here, the evaluation system that is hooked up with the program is as crooked as they come. Nobody goes to an evaluation and comes out with out some type of contract even if the excuse is monitoring to prove there isn’t an issue.

It’s not you. It’s the program. They have zero to do with recovery (if that is your need, that’s a decision for you and not for some faceless program to beat into to you). They are about money, control and optics, in varying order.

Much of the information disseminated is 3rd hand, anecdotal and certainly will not be verified by the program. How they expect a working nurse to not use hand sanitizer is ridiculous. Me personally, I have used hand sanitizer throughout this hell, without issue. For pete’s sake, I’m not sucking on the dispenser. Perfume? Keep it minimal and don’t inhale the fumes on your way to a Peth test.

I guess my point is, live your life. Be cognizant of what you eat (veal Marsala is probably off the list), get everything in writing and stand your ground if you did nothing wrong. Follow the contract to a tee and do your part. Do not let them steamroll you. Sadly, we are all case numbers in a file folder and there is no care or advocacy or whatever dribble they advertise to pander to the BON.

You can do this. It sucks to the nth degree but you are not the first and won’t be the last. My advice is play their little games, do your paperwork, go to those meetings (if you get something out of it, great. If not...get through it like you did in the most boring class in school.)

Come here to vent and *****. That’s what we are here for. I have found that this is the only place where folks get it. Most People that I meet do not understand how a lot of what is done in these programs is legal, never mind ethical. Unfortunately, it is.

You will get through this. Okay?

47 minutes ago, catsmeow1972 said:

Okay, for starters, breathe....deep breath, in and out. No hyperventilating.

Im not in Kentucky but the descriptions above mirror the one I am swimming through. In answer to your question of why you are being treated like a drug abuser...these things have one profile and that is of the person with a SUD who is on the verge of relapse. They do not differentiate between the person with a significant problem that is in need of monitoring and the person with a singular stupid decision.

It is much easier to generate the same contract and stipulations for everyone. Here, the evaluation system that is hooked up with the program is as crooked as they come. Nobody goes to an evaluation and comes out with out some type of contract even if the excuse is monitoring to prove there isn’t an issue.

It’s not you. It’s the program. They have zero to do with recovery (if that is your need, that’s a decision for you and not for some faceless program to beat into to you). They are about money, control and optics, in varying order.

Much of the information disseminated is 3rd hand, anecdotal and certainly will not be verified by the program. How they expect a working nurse to not use hand sanitizer is ridiculous. Me personally, I have used hand sanitizer throughout this hell, without issue. For pete’s sake, I’m not sucking on the dispenser. Perfume? Keep it minimal and don’t inhale the fumes on your way to a Peth test.

I guess my point is, live your life. Be cognizant of what you eat (veal Marsala is probably off the list), get everything in writing and stand your ground if you did nothing wrong. Follow the contract to a tee and do your part. Do not let them steamroll you. Sadly, we are all case numbers in a file folder and there is no care or advocacy or whatever dribble they advertise to pander to the BON.

You can do this. It sucks to the nth degree but you are not the first and won’t be the last. My advice is play their little games, do your paperwork, go to those meetings (if you get something out of it, great. If not...get through it like you did in the most boring class in school.)

Come here to vent and *****. That’s what we are here for. I have found that this is the only place where folks get it. Most People that I meet do not understand how a lot of what is done in these programs is legal, never mind ethical. Unfortunately, it is.

You will get through this. Okay?

Can we talk? I have never broken the rules before. The amount of stress and anxiety this is giving me is overwhelming. I want to quit, but I have two teenagers and a 9 year old. As well as a mortgage. I can’t afford to quit. I just want to disappear.

Sure. Anything I can help with. I’m in a Florida but as I said it looks as though Kentucky is just as draconian. For private messaging, you’ve got to have 15 posts. I would say peruse the various threads here. There’s lots of information. You will also see some people that post a lot of very useful and supportive info. They are also good resources. Some are still in these things and some have left them far behind.

PM when you can and we can talk in depth. It’s not advisable to get hugely personal out here. I’m not sure anyone with any program has the time to read these threads, but it’s more because we occasionally get commentary from people that, shall we say, are not very supportive. Admin does a wonderful job of stepping in and stopping that kind of thing but still.

9 minutes ago, catsmeow1972 said:

Sure. Anything I can help with. I’m in a Florida but as I said it looks as though Kentucky is just as draconian. For private messaging, you’ve got to have 15 posts. I would say peruse the various threads here. There’s lots of information. You will also see some people that post a lot of very useful and supportive info. They are also good resources. Some are still in these things and some have left them far behind.

PM when you can and we can talk in depth. It’s not advisable to get hugely personal out here. I’m not sure anyone with any program has the time to read these threads, but it’s more because we occasionally get commentary from people that, shall we say, are not very supportive. Admin does a wonderful job of stepping in and stopping that kind of thing but still.

Thank you. You’re so knowledgeable and supportive I wondered of you were part of the KBN. I was actually hesitant to talk to you any further. ...15 posts, huh? Interesting...

You should definitely read this article that’s from the latest KBN magazine. I think it perfectly captures the way is KARE nurses felt in the beginning and how we end up learning to deal with the program.

It sure does get better or at least we learn to live with it. I was in tears upon signing the contract and extremely bitter the first year. Thankfully I was able to put my anger in check (unlike the RN in the article) when I realized my livelihood was at risk. It’s all about having a grounded support system the first year (and I’m not talking about a spouse or family member) but an unbiased outside supporter preferably one who has dealt with substance abuse in some shape or fashion. someone who you can relate to. I was lucky to have a few KARE nurses where I worked who were able to steer me in the right direction.

I haven’t had the most rainbow and roses experience with the BON. But I have 18 months left before the scarlet letter is gone. So if you have any questions about the good, the bad and the ugly, just post your question and we will help answer it. And remember, we are here for you and everyone else struggling but find someone outside of the digital world who can y’all you through the late nights and tears, trust me it’ll make all the difference in the world

Does anyone know if the Kare program allows you to be in medical assistance treatment program? I'm currently in treatment and wanted to see if I could find out any information on that before I contact the Board. Thank you!

On 7/2/2019 at 1:44 PM, casinjth2 said:

It sure does get better or at least we learn to live with it. I was in tears upon signing the contract and extremely bitter the first year. Thankfully I was able to put my anger in check (unlike the RN in the article) when I realized my livelihood was at risk. It’s all about having a grounded support system the first year (and I’m not talking about a spouse or family member) but an unbiased outside supporter preferably one who has dealt with substance abuse in some shape or fashion. someone who you can relate to. I was lucky to have a few KARE nurses where I worked who were able to steer me in the right direction.

I haven’t had the most rainbow and roses experience with the BON. But I have 18 months left before the scarlet letter is gone. So if you have any questions about the good, the bad and the ugly, just post your question and we will help answer it. And remember, we are here for you and everyone else struggling but find someone outside of the digital world who can y’all you through the late nights and tears, trust me it’ll make all the difference in the world

Love this. I was lucky enough to get hired somewhere that was extremely open to care nurses. Being able to openly and completely speak to someone who 100% got it was invaluable. ***ing about laying out another $70 to prove i was still clean when i had $50 left in my account. You will find support and it does get better but we have to do our part too.