Uh oh, relapse

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So quick background. I was previously in my state's monitoring program (self referral) for a DUI, was sober for 3 years, successfully completed the program.

I have since relapsed on alcohol. However...no arrests, no work incidents, was never intoxicated/impaired on the job (I have a breathalyzer on my car, so for me to get to work and then go home at the end of the day my BAC has to be 0). I kept it self contained at home...but boy oh boy I've seen this movie before and know how it ends so I immediately slammed the breaks and trotted over to inpatient rehab before anything happened that could risk my license.

So I'm sitting here in rehab...thinking...because that's what we do...and the question popped in my head, "Do I have to report going to rehab to the BON?" I get having to report an arrest or something happening at work...but my situation doesn't have that. Has anyone dealt with a voluntarily/private rehab decision and whether or not to self report to the BON? I'm kinda confused. Thanks!

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Specializes in ER / ICU.

Nope. Don't breathe a word. What happens on your private time is yours alone, and rehab is on your time. Kudos to you for recognizing what was happening. The BON is there for patient protection, nothing else.  

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Med/Surg, Home Health, Hospice,Step Down,.

Congratulations on getting the help that you need.  Please do not tell them you are a nurse. I believe in some states the hospital will call and report you if you tell them. I have heard of this happening to other nurses.

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I concur with the previous post. Don’t let them know that you are a nurse. Depending on state law, the hospital staff may be mandated to report. I am glad you are getting help and I wish you the best. 

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Specializes in ICU.

Ditto, I have read on here to NEVER tell them you are a nurse. And good vibes to you for recovery again. Kudos for "slamming the brakes"...that is hard to do.

 

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Specializes in Hospice.

Agreed with all of the above!  If the BON had to deal with every nurse with a drinking issue, they would never be able to get anything done. Seriously.  As long as you're able to get a grip and get yourself back into line without getting into legal or work trouble, you're good. 

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Let us hear from you again, give us an update on your progress. You are not alone. Most of us on this forum have been in a similar situation. 

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32 minutes ago, Tigerlily8 said:

Let us hear from you again, give us an update on your progress. You are not alone. Most of us on this forum have been in a similar situation. 

So I'm still in rehab, will be day 21 on Wednesday. HR and my manager said that because nothing happened at work they won't turn me in to the BON. That's great...but that doesn't mean they aren't able to turn me into the monitoring program since the program allows nurses to be turned in to them behind the BON's back and without their involvement. 

 

I spoke to a lawyer who defends nurse licenses and she told me I don't need to tell the BON since I removed myself via FMLA and immediately ceased working...and due to no legal or occupational incidents.

 

About rehab...I went to a rehab that I worked at as a nurse over a year ago. So all my former co-workers are now treating me. Administration assured me they don't turn in nurses, plus during my time working there we treated many nurses and I never saw that happen.

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I was previously in my state's monitoring program (self referral) for a DUI, was sober for 3 years, successfully completed the program.


HR and my manager said that because nothing happened at work they won't turn me in to the BON. That's great...but that doesn't mean they aren't able to turn me into the monitoring program since the program allows nurses to be turned in to them behind the BON's back and without their involvement. 


Since you’re no longer in your state’s monitoring program due to successfully having completed it (congratulations on that!!), then I’d imagine that’s a non-issue.

And just so that I understand, is the breathalyzer a result of the DUI conviction? 

 

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6 hours ago, Beausoleil said:

I was previously in my state's monitoring program (self referral) for a DUI, was sober for 3 years, successfully completed the program.


HR and my manager said that because nothing happened at work they won't turn me in to the BON. That's great...but that doesn't mean they aren't able to turn me into the monitoring program since the program allows nurses to be turned in to them behind the BON's back and without their involvement. 


Since you’re no longer in your state’s monitoring program due to successfully having completed it (congratulations on that!!), then I’d imagine that’s a non-issue.

And just so that I understand, is the breathalyzer a result of the DUI conviction? 

 

Correct. The breathalyzer is due to the DUI. I've been eligible to have it removed since last year. However, I'm electing to voluntarily keep it on. It's not a tool for relapse prevention, but rather damage control/ensuring saftey should a relapse happen...which proved to be successful since I was prevented from drinking and driving and prevented from arriving to work under the influence or becoming under the influence while at work since then I'd be unable to start my car and go home.

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It sounds like you’re doing everything right—at least in terms of managing your illness, which, in the big picture (I.e., your life), is more important than anything including your nursing license. 
Edited to add that even though I don’t know you, I’m super proud of you. ?

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On 2/19/2022 at 1:25 AM, Beausoleil said:

I was previously in my state's monitoring program (self referral) for a DUI, was sober for 3 years, successfully completed the program.


HR and my manager said that because nothing happened at work they won't turn me in to the BON. That's great...but that doesn't mean they aren't able to turn me into the monitoring program since the program allows nurses to be turned in to them behind the BON's back and without their involvement. 


Since you’re no longer in your state’s monitoring program due to successfully having completed it (congratulations on that!!), then I’d imagine that’s a non-issue.

 

I tried to edit a portion of what I wrote on 2/19/2022 at 1:25 AM — a post written while I was unable to sleep due to illness — but it seems that there’s a short window in which to do that and that window has since closed. And the reason I tried to edit it was because I believe I misread the situation and therefore gave an opinion that 1. wasn’t supported by a thorough understanding of the facts, and 2. may have given you a false sense of security. I apologize for not being more careful with my response to a very legitimate concern. 
 

Now, on to what I should’ve written!

What state do you work in? As I’m sure you know, some of the rules/laws (the ADA, for example) relating to the “reach” of boards of nursing, health departments, monitoring programs, etc., are federally mandated, but some — if not most — are state-specific. 
 

 

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