Nurses Struggling With Addiction

elkpark · Aug 20, 2005

Are you involved in a 12-step program (AA, NA)? Many larger cities and urban areas have "specialty" 12-step groups just for healthcare professionals, but any AA or NA meeting would welcome you. Sometimes you have to "shop around" a little (try several different groups in your area) to find a meeting where you are really comfortable.

And please stop "drinking wine to sleep" (does your psychiatrist know you're doing that?) -- by the time you finally get off the narcotics (and, hopefully, don't get adddicted to Ativan ...), you're likely to find you're an alcoholic ...

Best wishes --

Katnip, RN · Aug 20, 2005

Ipatient rehab just might be the best. Why would your husband freak? Does he realize that you have an addiction? An inpatient program sounds like it might be best for you. You wouldn't be faced every night with the temptation of the wine to help you sleep and you would have more focused time to help yourself then learn new behaviors.

I've heard of Wellbutrin used for nicotine addiction it's called Zyban sometimes. I am guessing it would have the same sort of effect for other addictions as well.

You aren't immoral. You might want to start by forgiving yourself.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Aug 22, 2005

Krisssy, I think that there is too much here on your post to adequately discuss this on this thread because you list many concerns which could probably be devoted to several threads on their own. If the issue is physiological dependence on your medication, rehab may be the place to start. In fact, it may just be THE place to start first. Once clean, begin working on the other issues which are mental health and/or stress related. Be honest with yourself and with your new husband. I wish you well.

grannynurse FNP student · Aug 22, 2005

I had two abdominal surgeries this past year. First I had a fully prolapsed rectum with the added problem of fever and infection, and as soon as I started to feel better from that I had a blockage caused by adhesions and needed more surgery-this time it was emergency-another minute and I would have risked peritinitis. I was in the hospital for 8-10 days both times, I was given morphine IV and then Percoset. I went home with the percoset , and I was told to take as needed. I was in a lot of pain. So I took 8 a day, sometimes 10. At this point, I am under a psychiatrists's care for the pain and the percoset. A recent cat scan showed no reason to still be having pain. The psychiatrist insists that I now stay on four a day after being on 6 a day for weeks. I am having a very hard time, and could use support from you guys who have been through this or nursed patients through this. At this point, the psychiatrist thinks the pain is withdrawal pain,so he has given me two ativan a day. The ativan does relieve the stomach pain. I am very nervous when the pills wear off, and I can't concentrate on anything. Everything feels shaky, can't even talk to anyone without taking pills. I cannot sleep and have been drinking wine to sleep. I am a wreck. I am down to 4 pills a day with a lot of effort and misery. Oh he is also giving me wellbutrin which he says is good for withdrawal. Anyone know why? And I have been on Paxil for 4 years since my first husband of 32 years cheated on me, abused me psychologically and abandoned me.I am planning on starting my online master's in psychiatric nursing in the winter of 2006, and I have to be sober by then. Any advice on how to get through this without so much misery, sleeplessness and physical and mental pain would be much desired, Please fellow nurses, help me. As a nurse, sometimes you have to go through this to clearly see what it feels like. I know it is a disease, but I still feel like I am immoral or something, All my scripts are legal-from the dr. who is trying to get me off them. The original scrips were from the surgeon. Please how can I get through this and will I be able to do this without an inpatient program. I just got married, and my new husband would freek. Just for the record, I have never worked as a nurse while taking pills., and I am not working now. Krisssy

Since most psychiatrist are not educated in pain management, I strongly suggest you seek out an evaluation of a pain management physician. You need a complete physical and mental evaluation, and treatment, something you are now receiving piece meal.

Good luck

Grannynurse :balloons:

showbizrn · Aug 22, 2005

i had two abdominal surgeries this past year. first i had a fully prolapsed rectum with the added problem of fever and infection, and as soon as i started to feel better from that i had a blockage caused by adhesions and needed more surgery-this time it was emergency-another minute and i would have risked peritinitis. i was in the hospital for 8-10 days both times, i was given morphine iv and then percoset. i went home with the percoset , and i was told to take as needed. i was in a lot of pain. so i took 8 a day, sometimes 10. at this point, i am under a psychiatrists's care for the pain and the percoset. a recent cat scan showed no reason to still be having pain. the psychiatrist insists that i now stay on four a day after being on 6 a day for weeks. i am having a very hard time, and could use support from you guys who have been through this or nursed patients through this. at this point, the psychiatrist thinks the pain is withdrawal pain,so he has given me two ativan a day. the ativan does relieve the stomach pain. i am very nervous when the pills wear off, and i can't concentrate on anything. everything feels shaky, can't even talk to anyone without taking pills. i cannot sleep and have been drinking wine to sleep. i am a wreck. i am down to 4 pills a day with a lot of effort and misery. oh he is also giving me wellbutrin which he says is good for withdrawal. anyone know why? and i have been on paxil for 4 years since my first husband of 32 years cheated on me, abused me psychologically and abandoned me.i am planning on starting my online master's in psychiatric nursing in the winter of 2006, and i have to be sober by then. any advice on how to get through this without so much misery, sleeplessness and physical and mental pain would be much desired, please fellow nurses, help me. as a nurse, sometimes you have to go through this to clearly see what it feels like. i know it is a disease, but i still feel like i am immoral or something, all my scripts are legal-from the dr. who is trying to get me off them. the original scrips were from the surgeon. please how can i get through this and will i be able to do this without an inpatient program. i just got married, and my new husband would freek. just for the record, i have never worked as a nurse while taking pills., and i am not working now. krisssy

:) you've presented a comprehensvie profile---to second our colleague's previous reply too complicated to answer on one thread. bottom line, you're struggling in your present life situation and need help. i offer a few recommendations:

1. come clean with the facts to your spouse. he will be your main support system during your treatment/recovery.

2. stop drinking wine at night to sleep. alcohol and benzodiazepines (i.e., valium, ativan, xanax) are lethal.

3. research some day treatment rehab programs since inpatient treatment is not your choice.

4. maintain a positive attitude. the possibility of your new treatment package might not your dream program.

"the road to recovery ain't easy."

:balloons: i celebrate your success and send many blessings to you for health and happiness.

krisssy · Aug 23, 2005

I am not AN ADDICT or an alcoholic. I had two very painful operations to my abdomen. I am trying to get off the percoset. The Dr. gave me klonopin and Ativan to make it less painful. I rarely take them, and I am not addicted to them.. I drink wine with dinner. I don't need to. I just thought some of you nurses may have ways to help detox people who have been in severe pain off opiates to lessen the pain like a certain tea or a hot bath. I am not looking for psychological help or help that addicts need. I do not need a rehab. I just need to get off percoset with the least stomach pain possible, because my stomach is already severely wounded. I thought I would get answers, like you need a hug. Thank you for trying to help, but you all have really misunderstood my question snd made a big deal over nothing. I am sorry I even brought it up. From now on, I will stick to nursing school questions.

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 23, 2005

Please, Krissy, I implore you; get help from your health care specialist/team---on all these issues you have discussed here of late.

I echo Thunderwolf; be honest w/yourself and your health care provider and be earnest in your desire to help yourself. That is the ONLY way you will be free of all these chains that bind you.

Understand: The level of help you need, we can't provide. Nurses do not detox people, nor can we provide medical advice. And from what you post here, you are beyond the point where hugs can help you in any meaningful way. No one "blames" or "demonizes" you------but we all think you need to get help locally for all the issues that plague you.

I feel for you and wish you well, really.