Nurses who come from abusive/addicted families

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Specializes in Acute Care.

I've always heard a lot of nurses struggle with addiction themselves or come from abusive households or have a family member(s) who is addicted to something. But I can't seem to find any articles or studies that prove this... I'd like to use this information for a presentation. Does anyone know of any articles written about this topic?

Specializes in Med surg, LTC, Administration.

Why not interview nurses who fit this criteria, instead of reading a paper or study? Your presentation will most likely be more inspiring, and you will feel more connected to not only the presentation, but the addiction process as well. Just something to think about. Good luck. peace!

Specializes in ICU & ED.

I haven't read any studies, but it's true in my life... My parents have both struggled with addiction. Currently they are sober, unless you count the hoarding... which I do. I don't really believe their issues influenced my choice to become a nurse, but I think it makes me more compassionate, and also mindful of my own boundries.

I have learned that I can't fix anyone, I can only be so helpful, and I must take care of myself to be effective.

Good luck!

I've always heard a lot of nurses struggle with addiction themselves or come from abusive households or have a family member(s) who is addicted to something. But I can't seem to find any articles or studies that prove this... I'd like to use this information for a presentation. Does anyone know of any articles written about this topic?

I doubt there are many people in general who do not have "a family member who is addicted to something."

I came across this http://www.realityrn.com/more-articles/handling-stress/how-a-nurse-becomes-an-addict/296/

I am not a nurse YET and can't speak for the general population but for me there is truth in it. I do not have a problem with substances (thankfully) but I have several family members who do.

I've always heard a lot of nurses struggle with addiction themselves or come from abusive households or have a family member(s) who is addicted to something. But I can't seem to find any articles or studies that prove this... I'd like to use this information for a presentation. Does anyone know of any articles written about this topic?

There are many nurses who do come from abusive or addictive backgrounds. There are those nurses who try to "fix" all their patients. These same people generally marry a spouse who has addiction issues or some other problem and try to fix them too. These folks are called co-dependants (addicted to focusing on other peoples problems and drama)

Those nurses who are adrenalin junkies, basically they get their "fix" from working in high stress areas such as ERs, ICUs and the like.

Some, along with codependancy issues also have problems with using food as an addictive substance.

There is a plethora of things that one can have a problem with.

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