Nurse doing cocaine HELP

Pvt. Parts · Jun 24, 2005

Please don't personalize this. Debate the question, not the person. Stay with the topic please.

You're right, I shouldn't have personalized it, especially in someone else's thread. It truly hits home, hard. That's why I started seeing red when I was accused of trying to rationalize the use of illegal hard drugs.

My sincerest apologies for the "hijacking" of this thread.

This will be my last post in this thread since I have been warned anonymously. Whomever it was felt threatened enough by my argument/opinion that they felt that they needed to warn me anonymously. Please do not feel that way -- I am actually very reasonable and approachable. :cool:

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 24, 2005

Back to the Original Topic---

I agree with all those who say to report it. There are larger issues at stake than a friendship with someone who likely is not the good friend you think. Coke is not "harmless" and its effects can last long after the high is worn off. A person who will do a drug like coke to stay up at night---to get by, is one who has a problem. I would not want his or her problem to become mine or that of a family member/loved one as a patient of hers. The way I see it, you have no choice, ethically, BUT to turn her in. Anonymously if need be. But please, do the right thing.

Gromit · Jun 25, 2005

To those of you that are coming down harshly on me about ethics... In this case I do agree that it's not a question of ethics because she had a "big" bag of coke, indicating that it's not casual use, but abuse. My apologies, I really should have posted the question in another thread and used it in a general sense instead of tied it specifically to the instance of Lori's friend.
Anyway, the reason I asked is because I know of many illegal drug users (not abusers) that are completely functional in society and actually VERY successful. If we were to report these people at work for the illegal things they chose to do on their own time, it would eliminate the contributions some of the best, brightest, and hardest working members of our society.
Anyway, back to the subject at hand!

I can live with the idea that it would have cost us some of the best, brightest, and hardest working members of our society. I prefer honesty, however, and thats one thing they tend to NOT be. No justification. sorry, but I'm pretty rigid about that point.

But on track to the original thread, I've said my piece. I only hope that this person is stopped before harm befalls her patients. I wouldn't dream of having someone make decisions in such a setting, when they have already shown such a poor ability to make rational decisions (I'm not even talking about the use here, but the act of doing so in front of another person who was not participating in this activity -this shows a severe fault in her ability to think rationally) .

WriteStuff · Jun 26, 2005

I read all 8 pages of posts on this topic. My name is Bonnie. I'm a recovering, alcoholic, addict who will celebrate 10 years of continuous sobriety this August 8th, God willing.

I am a Registered Nurse with 34 years of experience. I am responding to this post because I think it's important to hear about the problem of addiction from one who has been there. In particular, one who has been there and survived to date.

Everyone who has posted has offered excellent suggestions for the most part. As I read them, I thought of myself of course, 10 years ago and where I was - so far down that road and journey into hell!

This is what I would say. An impaired Nurse is an impaired Nurse. The substance being abused isn't really the issue at all. I was a high-functionning addict as well. I diverted and injected Demerol, Morphine, Dilaudid, every single night ON DUTY, and functioned quite well. This friend you are talking about "uses coke" - but that's all you know about. Generally speaking, addicts are poly-addicted. This is a person who, if she isn't diverting in her work setting yet, she will be.

I diverted drugs on my unit for THREE SOLID YEARS before my employer intervened. And let me just say this - we were a close knit unit and like a family -as peers and colleagues. I was absolutely terrified to "confess" to my friends this dirty little secret that was killing me. I silently prayed that one of them was "seeing" what I was doing and would report me. I knew I was on a course, that if not interrupted, would kill me, or one of my patients. The hold that addiction has on you is so powerful, so seductive, so unrelenting, that all judgement is altered. It's a "no holds barred" situation because an addict first lives to use, and ultimately uses to live.

As health professionals we are considered mandated reporters by law. I'm pretty certain this is true in every state today, although I have not researched it for the purpose of this post. What has to happen in your situation is that the nurse in question has to be brought to the attention of her employer by whatever means it takes. I say this because addicts NEVER NEVER "get well" on their own. And I wouldn't worry about the "friendship" part that has you so baffled because although your exposing of this impaired Nurse might make her extremely angry , (along with your friend), they will thank you later that you saved her life, and probably somebody else's too.

It's always a risk to pull an intervention in any situation. I was suicidal when my employer intervened. And I personally have known of cases where the Nurse DID in fact go out and commit suicide after an intervention. So employers are NOT "stupid" and "ignorant" as it might seem - it is a very delicate situation that demands to be handled carefully, with great discretion, and at all cost, with the health needs of the impaired nurse in mind.

So don't wait. GO, and tell SOMEONE what you know. I will thank God to my dying day that one of my colleagues TOLD SOMEONE! (and to this day I do not know who it was) I not only got into recovery, but I got my life back and a NEW life at that!!

Over the past 10 years I have shared my story openly and unashamedly. If there is anyone, nurse or otherwise, who is reading this and needs to talk to someone about this subject, please contact me privately at: [email protected], or [email protected]

rn/writer, RN · Jun 26, 2005

WriteStuff, your post made me cry. You brought up a very important point. Inside this addicted person is just that--a person. I think many of us were so indignant that she would put her patients at risk that it became difficult to separate her from her behavior. The choices she is making are dangerous and reckless but she is still in there somewhere and, as you rightly pointed out, she will not emerge from the cave unless something or someone intervenes. As you also pointed out, some choose not to fight the battle and they end their lives. Or should I say, they finish ending their lives. But there are others like you who endure the hurt of becoming honest and clawing their way back to sanity. Thank God for that!

Addiction is evil, pure and simple. But addicts, however hidden they may be, are still people just like us. Sometimes it's easier to distance ourselves and say, "I'm glad I'm not like that!" but every honest person knows he or she has areas of "besetting sin." It's just that they aren't all obvious or illegal.

Thank you so very much for having the courage to come back from the abyss and thank you again for sharing your inspiring story.

God bless you many times over.

Miranda F.

RedSox33RN · Jun 26, 2005

Thank you for sharing your story, WriteStuff. I've seen family members suffer through addiction, and I know talking about it is painful, but helps. You may not know it, but you will probably help many, many people with your post.

WriteStuff · Jun 26, 2005

WriteStuff, your post made me cry. You brought up a very important point. Inside this addicted person is just that--a person. I think many of us were so indignant that she would put her patients at risk that it became difficult to separate her from her behavior. The choices she is making are dangerous and reckless but she is still in there somewhere and, as you rightly pointed out, she will not emerge from the cave unless something or someone intervenes. As you also pointed out, some choose not to fight the battle and they end their lives. Or should I say, they finish ending their lives. But there are others like you who endure the hurt of becoming honest and clawing their way back to sanity. Thank God for that!
Addiction is evil, pure and simple. But addicts, however hidden they may be, are still people just like us. Sometimes it's easier to distance ourselves and say, "I'm glad I'm not like that!" but every honest person knows he or she has areas of "besetting sin." It's just that they aren't all obvious or illegal.
Thank you so very much for having the courage to come back from the abyss and thank you again for sharing your inspiring story.
God bless you many times over.
Miranda F.

Thank-you Miranda. I just want to add that NO ONE is "immune" from the seduction of addiction. Given the right ingredients, i.e., timing, availability and accessibility, mental, emotional, psychological, and spiritual vulnerability, -ANYONE can succumb to the seducer's "voice" of temptation. All it takes, under those circumstances, is ONCE. I was not, and am not, a "bad" person who needed to "become good." I was then, a VERY VERY sick human being who needed to get well. And I needed a world of health professionals to help me do just that. When they stepped up to the plate, I found the courage and strength to say - "yes, I'm sicker than most, - help me, help me, help me." And they did. I just pray each day that we as health care professionals can reach out to our hurting addicted peers and extend to them the same loving care we give to each of our own patients, every day we go to work. Sadly, the problem of addiction in our profession is widespread and of epidemic proportions across the board.

roseynurse · Jun 27, 2005

A very close male friend has a new girlfriend. She is an ICU nurse. I have only met her twice and my friend states he is in love with her. I have a big big problem. The last time we went out she broke out a bag of coke. She admitted to me she had a drinking problem as a young teen. From what I saw she still has it. She did mix coke and alcohol that night. My friend told me she doesn't do coke on the days she works. I don't know if I believe that or not. I know where she works. I know her Director. If I tell even without using my name they will know it's me. I will loose my friend who means the world to me, but the ethical and professional in me is giving me the kick. It's been bothering me for a long time. I would like some other opinions before I make up my mind. I know what I should do and I know what will happen if I do it. HELP.
Lori

I work with impaired nurses. You really ahve an obligation to reprt her, and ypu can do that anonymously to her state health department because they are responsible for giving her her license. They are then OBLIGATED to do an investigation based on the complaint. So they ferrett out those that mya have a BONE to pick. She will only get more impaired, not less as time goes by, she is already demonstrating addictive thinking.

Nurse-Bob · Jul 9, 2005

Hi all, My name is Bob. I'm a psych RN, hypnotist & recovered alcoholic, and this is my first post. I was attracted to this thread, because I saw that a lot of non alcoholic/addicts (normal people) were trying to deal it this topic. I thought I would put in my 2 cents worth. So, here it is. ...

If you care about people, and most nurses do, you have to report the drug use of another nurse once you are aware of it. This is an ethical decision and being a member of a profession requires one to be ethical. The addict WILL be caught, as others have said. Early intervention could result in saving the addict's life and the lives of his/her patients. It's called tough love. That person may hate you for turning them in, if they find out that you did. But at least their patients will be alive. If they are ready to quit, you may save their life. If not, you may have planted the seed in their head that will eventually lead them to recovery. To solve a problem, one must first identify a problem. If he/she is using and doesn't see that as a problem, they are not ready to quit. In AA, it is said that one must first hit their bottom before they can get better (sober). The ONLY way to hit one's bottom, is to stop digging. There is a great recovery site called Nurses in Recovery, NIR at http://brucienne.com/nir/

This forum is for healthcare providers who are in recovery from whatever- drugs, alcohol, sex addiction, gambling, eating disorders - whatever. If you have an addiction or know of another healthcare provide who is, steer them to this web site and forum. Talk to someone who has been there.

dpipes44 · Jul 9, 2005

How does she do her job?

sockov, ADN, ASN, BSN, CNA, LVN · Jul 9, 2005

This could be a test from a higher power.

If you blow her in, then you might loose your friend and have repercussions later. but, if you don't.. she may get your friend into the addicting drug too, and/or kill a patient. I am an ICU nurse, and you must be mentally alert.

Coke may keep one alert, but it also throws the perspective off. It messes with your brain.

Then, will she start abusing the pts. drugs too?

If you go to your friend, he may be so taken by her now, that what you say won't REALLY get heard. Does he do coke too?

How well do you know the director? Maybe you could talk to her/him, and tell your concerns. Maybe it will put an alert out to watch her closley and then find a reason to make her submit a urine test. or what ever the hosp. policy is.

just remember, she could be taking care of your mom or dad. Would you want her as your nurse knowing she abuses coke? You could save a huge error if you speak up. Also, you may be saving your friend of a terrible future.

From hearing that she drinks a lot and does coke. I would blow her in. ICU ins't a place for a nurse like that.

good luck.

firemedic · Jul 10, 2005

All I can say is this follow what you feel is right. I guarantee you if she is that bad off other people who she works with know. The only problem is they are probably willing to let it go until it affects them. Too late it has affected you. Step one. Talk to the addict, Step two talk to your friend. There are avenues in place that if she is willing to get help then she should be able to keep her job. If both people are not willing to listen tell the director hypothetically maybe this is all this dirrector needs to broach the subject with the nurse. Whatever you do or don't do remember that coke affects the system longer than 24 hours and when taken with alcohol can stay in the system as long as 30 days. Would you want someone like that taking care of you. Plan it out before any discussion but we all know that somethng has to be done and you have been chosen as the catalyst. It sucks but you know it is right. GOOD LUCk