Need Help

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Hello, I'm new to this forum. I have been abusing opiates for the last 2 years. I am not in trouble with the board and I don't work in an acute care setting but I'm terrified to tell anyone or seek help because I am afraid of being reported. I'm so tired, hopeless, embarrassed and ashamed. I don't want the life I'm living anymore and I just want to get help but I'm terrified of the consequences. Has anyone ever had any repercussions for seeking treatment voluntarily? Thank you. I'm in California. 

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I know someone in Florida who was reported to monitoring after voluntarily seeking treatment. I’m assuming California would be no different. Please don’t let that stop you, but maybe there is something you can do to prevent the fact that you are a nurse from being found out in treatment. 

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Specializes in general.

Sending you big hugs- you need to get treatment- say NOTHING about being a nurse- keep your mouth shut about your profession in treatment - and if you can take leave from work - don't be specific about why you are out- get a lawyer when you have to re-up your license to help.  But first and foremost take care of YOU- you are worth it and you can do it!!

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I agree with the above.  Don’t tell anyone at rehab you’re a nurse.  If you think you’ll slip up and mention you work in healthcare, say you answer the phones or set appointments, ANYTHING besides something that needs a license.  

That being said, there are many options for you, depending on the severity of your opioid use disorder. 

Do you think you could possibly take a week off to detox completely (even if it means checking into a facility then leaving AMA afterwards because they can’t force you to stay) then start an intensive outpatient program?  A lot of those are at night and you can possibly keep working, you’d hopefully have insurance to cover it.  Start going to AA or NA and work the *** out of the program.
 

Another option is to seek help from a Suboxone clinic.  Don’t tell them you’re a nurse.  Tell them you’re addicted to opiates and want to do a short Subutex taper, preferably less than a month, not be on it long-term.  The dosing schedule can be similar to what you would get in a rehab center, and then you could also start an IOP program.  Again, get in NA or AA or Celebrate Recovery or ANYTHING to surround yourself with social support that’s non-judgemental.
 

But I’ll be honest, if you are at that point of rock bottom exhaustion and desperation with your using and truly recognize you have a problem and need to go to inpatient, you probably do.  I fought tooth and nail against it, but at the end it was the best decision I ever made.  I’m one of those weirdos whose untreated major recurrent depression and severe PPD/PPP was a major cause of and worsened my addiction (not the other way around as most psychiatrists will tell you: most addicts are depressed and anxious BECAUSE of the drugs) and in my treatment plan I got started on the right antidepressants and within two weeks I was a new person and have literally never looked back as far as relapsing on opiates.  Those 28 days in treatment with no other responsibilities besides working on myself and my mental health was priceless. 

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Please seek the help you need. You're WORTH it!

One comment - be aware of words you say.  Nurses' vocabulary is usually deeply unconscious and is a DEAD GIVEAWAY!! No matter how innocent your comments might be, real nursey-nursey words sneak out and you're caught! Just saying ....

Good luck.

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Specializes in FLOAT RN I DID IT ALL EXCEPT DELIVERY AND OR.

I would so love to chat you, pm.me.

We are here for you, not here to judge you at all!  

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