My voluntary alcohol detox was reported to the board..?

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So, I took myself to alcohol detox in February 2019. I asked every person that I encountered during the process if it were confidential, and I was promised it was protected information. When I renewed my license in August of 2019 I answered "no" to the, "have you ever received treatment for substance abuse...", question, cause I assumed it was confidential. October rolls around and I hear from the Ohio Board of Nursing investigator asking why I was deceptive and he knew details from my detox. Now im roped onto IOP, aftercare, 5 years of AA and drug screens. I don't understand how this happened?? Is there anything I can do? I feel so hopeless and angry..  ?

Specializes in Justice ⚖️ Nursing.
On 12/30/2020 at 10:22 PM, MsLuckyWon said:

So, I took myself to alcohol detox in February 2019. I asked every person that I encountered during the process if it were confidential, and I was promised it was protected information. When I renewed my license in August of 2019 I answered "no" to the, "have you ever received treatment for substance abuse...", question, cause I assumed it was confidential. October rolls around and I hear from the Ohio Board of Nursing investigator asking why I was deceptive and he knew details from my detox. Now im roped onto IOP, aftercare, 5 years of AA and drug screens. I don't understand how this happened?? Is there anything I can do? I feel so hopeless and angry..  ?

I'm sorry that happened. That's how they get you, even when it's volunteered. The get you with the question when you renew. IDK how they found out about it, but I've learned to assume that nothing like that is confidential and nurses aren't protected by anyone. Just the fact that they knew about your volunteered detox shows that they go to great lengths to discrimination....to keep recovering addicts OUT of nursing, for good. Blows.my mind though when I hear about nurses who got caught multiple times diverting drugs....how does THAT work?!?! I'm so damn bitter and angry with the BONs and I'm also in a perpetual state of mourning my nursing career. It's going ten years now. Rest in peace, my beautiful RN credentials and career. 

Specializes in ER/ICU.

I am not sure while HIPAA does not take nurses into consideration in these matters.  I recently drove a co-worker back from Las Vegas after he called for some assistance.  This friend tends to drink I guess the old saying works hard and plays harder may come in to play with this gentleman.  Off course prior to leaving Vegas, he ended up with a nice laceration on his forehead when the wind blew a door into his forehead.  Afta CT and blood  test and a little Lorazepam to help with  the uneasiness we were getting ready to check out a little worse for wear. At this time the ER  Dr. proceeded to inform my friend that she would be calling the BRN to report the incident.  Does this seem appropriate to anyone.  Yes BAC was .285 but there were no legal issues and of course the friend was not at work for the time he was in Vegas.  When asked the Dr. simply stated she was compelled to report any  nurses under the influence.  Please help with some info if possible.  

lg123 said:

I am not sure while HIPAA does not take nurses into consideration in these matters.  I recently drove a co-worker back from Las Vegas after he called for some assistance.  This friend tends to drink I guess the old saying works hard and plays harder may come in to play with this gentleman.  Off course prior to leaving Vegas, he ended up with a nice laceration on his forehead when the wind blew a door into his forehead.  Afta CT and blood  test and a little Lorazepam to help with  the uneasiness we were getting ready to check out a little worse for wear. At this time the ER  Dr. proceeded to inform my friend that she would be calling the BRN to report the incident.  Does this seem appropriate to anyone.  Yes BAC was .285 but there were no legal issues and of course the friend was not at work for the time he was in Vegas.  When asked the Dr. simply stated she was compelled to report any  nurses under the influence.  Please help with some info if possible.  

Yeah, thats ***. Why did the ER have the right to draw a BAC on him anyways? What does it matter if he were drunk or not when he got the laceration? I'm curious to know what the outcome was of your friend and how the board of nursing addressed it?

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
lg123 said:

     When asked the Dr. simply stated she was compelled to report any  nurses under the influence.  Please help with some info if possible.  

This is exactly why I tell friends and co-workers who have professional licenses (Nurses, physicians, lawyers) not to reveal that they are liscensed professionals. HIPAA has exclusionary language that compels a report for drug and alcohol related incidents. If they have a reasonable suspicion that they may have impaired practice. My brother a lawyer had the same thing happen to him and when I tried unsuccessfully to kill my self I was reported due to my depression being a factor that might impair my practice. That was a long time ago and I am a sober happy person these days. While I hated it at the time I credit it with forcing me to make life changing adjustments to my life. 

Hppy

 

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