Drug addicted nurses

Nurses Recovery

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I am a nursing student and in one of my classes we have recently talked about nurses and substance abuse. I think that it is hard for me to wrap my brain around the issue. My questions are:

1. what do you do as a fellow nurse and friend of someone who is involved in substance abuse...especially in the workplace?

2. is this really prevelent and have any of you been put in this position?

Thanks!!

I'm an R.N. I don't steal narcotics but I've been injured a few times and my doc ordered Percocet for me. When I take the Percocet, I don't feel ANY pain. I also have so much energy. When I had my c-section, I took Percocet. I was able to clean my whole house. I have a very low pain tolerance. I can't take codeine because I can barely breathe on that.

I think, in my life I've gotten a script for Percocet about four times. Once on shift, I was injured and told to go to the ER. The doc gave me Percocet and said I was alright to return to my shift. I was sitting with the night supervisor when the Percocet effects started. It was a weird feeling but the pain stopped. I like it. I think I like Percocet a little too much.

Anyway, I'm sitting here at my computer. I was taking my bad dog outside and she lunged and now my back is killing me. I know I can just go to the Urgent Care clinic and the doc will give me another script. It hurts bad enough. I think I've had this before and the first time I hurt my back, I took the percocet for a day and went to physio for the exercises. Actually, I haven't taken anything for this aching back. It hurts to drive, sit, bend, stand.... and I have a shift tonight. I'm sure I'll pull through.

I don't want to be an addict. There's too much of that going on in my family. I always hesitate when I'm given Percocet. But.... I tried Tylenol and caffeine. I like caffeine a lot too. I can't even start my exercises because of the pain.

I think I'll see my doc tomorrow.

You and I sound exactly alike. Everything you feel and like, I do too. I had surgery twice last year for my abdomen. I got addicted to Percoset and then Oxycodone. I just paid $8000.00 at go to a detox for 4 days. Even with that, I came home VERY SICK. Don't ask for or take percoset or Oxycodone if it affects you that way. Getting off is pure hell and so is getting addicted. PM me anytime or ask me on here. I will be happt to share my story with anyone who needs to hear it.

A sober and happy nurse Krisssy

Hi. I am an RN and facing the NMP. I sign contracts and get my license back after only about 5 months of losing it. I will get it back feb 21st. I have never diverted though, not even an aspirin, but understand how easy it would be and how quickly the fear would fade after doing it once. Why? Because I am an addict and we understand each other when it comes to addiction. I just thank God I never let myself go to that temptation, but it was easy for me because I am not a pill person. I like them but its not my drug of choice. There was a period of time before I was a nurse that I had ten years clean and sober. I became a nurse during that period, then my son became addicted and i lost it. It took a couple dui"s and a possession of thc with the nursing board on my ass before I would get it. I am clean and sober today and am looking forward to going back to work after struggling hard financially. Sometimes that is what we need to GET IT! I can say I feel so good today. I still want to get high somedays but nothing in the world replaces the good feeling of being clean and sober and WANTING to be C&S. You fellow addicts know what I am talking about. This is a disease and dont let anyone tell you otherwise. Those who try to say you dont deserve your license back do not understand because they havent been in our shoes or dealt with addiction. If any of you would like to share your experience with the NMP I would love to hear it. Take care and do whatever it takes to stay C&S. Willing to share recovery ANYTIME! (privately)

A Million Little Pieces was presented as a non-fiction book. I have not read it and have no desire to, especially after the information that has been revealed about it's author. And after watching him on Larry King.

Nurses who are addicted to narcotics are not always addicted to medications containing narcotics. This being said, I believe that any nurse who has sought treatment and has successfully completed an impairment program, should not be prevented from returning to a position that does not bar her from access to narcotics. Do we automatically bar alcoholics from establishments that serve alcohol? The answer to that is no. Why should we automatically bar a nurse?

Grannynurse

right on granny!

I understand what you are saying and I agree it is a family issue, however to go after a nurse as so far as to cross reference a name which is what someone sent me a thread that they did just that. They cross referenced her name, then reported her to the board. I simply dont agree. I live this life myself and I am staying clean. She has to want to do this on her own. I think to report someone by tracking them down puts a downer on this board because you cant share freely. They say in NA and AA that what is said here stays here. I see your point if she has children but to go after her paycheck. That will do nothing but make her use even more. There are other means such as warning her first to get the help she needs or you will go to the board. To just up and go is viscious attack on her and her family due to lack of paycheck on top of everything else. She has to hit rock bottom on her own to finally want and get the help. Obviously if I see a nurse at work using I would report to the charge RN or Director but this board is confidential. It should stay here only. What can I say. Nurses eat there young. Its a fact. Whoever did report her must feel proud now.

I dont agree at all. There is interventions, tell her to check in to rehab etc before you go to board. This is why I dont share anything about myself on this board any further. It is taken and ran with. Sad.

I only share what I don't have to hide. Everyone has things that should be saved for meetings. Smart gianna!

I personally have a zero tolorence for a nurse who has stolen medication and or uses drugs and is able to keep a nursing license.

Addiction is a disease. Do you have zero tolerance for all your sick patients?

Addiction is a disease. Do you have zero tolerance for all your sick patients?

i would give my pts. what they need to get them through their withdrawal, if they showed an interest. Yes addiction is a disease but you need to own it; go through all the steps in getting clean, STAY clean and earn trust. afterall, these nurses are taking from OUR pts. now who are we supposed to be advocating for?

leslie

Hi. I am an RN and facing the NMP. I sign contracts and get my license back after only about 5 months of losing it. I will get it back feb 21st. I have never diverted though, not even an aspirin, but understand how easy it would be and how quickly the fear would fade after doing it once. Why? Because I am an addict and we understand each other when it comes to addiction. I just thank God I never let myself go to that temptation, but it was easy for me because I am not a pill person. I like them but its not my drug of choice. There was a period of time before I was a nurse that I had ten years clean and sober. I became a nurse during that period, then my son became addicted and i lost it. It took a couple dui"s and a possession of thc with the nursing board on my ass before I would get it. I am clean and sober today and am looking forward to going back to work after struggling hard financially. Sometimes that is what we need to GET IT! I can say I feel so good today. I still want to get high somedays but nothing in the world replaces the good feeling of being clean and sober and WANTING to be C&S. You fellow addicts know what I am talking about. This is a disease and dont let anyone tell you otherwise. Those who try to say you dont deserve your license back do not understand because they havent been in our shoes or dealt with addiction. If any of you would like to share your experience with the NMP I would love to hear it. Take care and do whatever it takes to stay C&S. Willing to share recovery ANYTIME! (privately)

What is the NMP?

Krisssy

You and I sound exactly alike. Everything you feel and like, I do too. I had surgery twice last year for my abdomen. I got addicted to Percoset and then Oxycodone. I just paid $8000.00 at go to a detox for 4 days. Even with that, I came home VERY SICK. Don't ask for or take percoset or Oxycodone if it affects you that way. Getting off is pure hell and so is getting addicted. PM me anytime or ask me on here. I will be happt to share my story with anyone who needs to hear it.

A sober and happy nurse Krisssy

Well, as it turned out, I went to work and bent over to fill my water jug at the water cooler. I heard and felt a crack. When I stood up straight, I felt NO PAIN!!!! It was weird but a tremendous relief. I didn't have to take anything and here I was debating whether or not to take something. As much as Percocet "attracts" me, I don't like it. I just don't feel right when I take it. But man! I can sure concentrate and do a lot of work when I take it.

I would love to hear your story.

What is the NMP?

Krisssy[/uote]

Nurse Monitoring Program

i would give my pts. what they need to get them through their withdrawal, if they showed an interest. Yes addiction is a disease but you need to own it; go through all the steps in getting clean, STAY clean and earn trust. afterall, these nurses are taking from OUR pts. now who are we supposed to be advocating for?

leslie

So you are saying you have zero tolerance for what they do not their disease. I think they should get a chance to prove themselves after they have owned it and be able to keep their license. If they keep screwing up time after time then I can see taking it for good.

Specializes in Critical Care.
So you are saying you have zero tolerance for what they do not their disease. I think they should get a chance to prove themselves after they have owned it and be able to keep their license. If they keep screwing up time after time then I can see taking it for good.

That's EXACTLY why the peer programs were created. I don't think Leslie disagreed with that.

She didn't make the 'zero tolerance' comment, but just amplified to say that, if I understood her correctly, you have to make the most of your second chances. That ultimately, pt safety is the primary issue.

~faith,

Timothy.

Hi Everyone,

As I have already posted, I just got detoxed from Oxycodone. It was 4 days inpatient with no withdrawal. But now that I am home, I am feeling withdrawal which is being controlled with Subutex. I am going to an outpatient rehab with a family program -4 days a week and to an addictionologist. I do not intend to work until this is way past me. Meanwhile I am going to graduate school, and I don't have to do any clinicals for over a year. Meanwhile, I want to get healthy. I am very lucky that the post surgical pain that caused me to take Oxycodone is finally, after a year, gone. I am also lucky to have a new wonderful husband, three healthy kids, and to be going to a great graduate school to get my MHPNP MS. I just love school, and I am doing great. The professor has already posted two of my essays as being excellent. I know about the disease of addiction, and relapsing would ruin my life for good if it ever happened. I was wondering if anyone could share any online AA groups that you know of. I am interested in special groups for nurses and for general groups-maybe women's groups. Anyone have any information on this?

Krisssy

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