What would you do if your family member were doing drugs?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in OB/Gyn, L&D, NICU.

What would you do if someone in your household, ie husband or other family member, were doing drugs? ie, smoking pot, meth, hallucinogenics... Or what if it were a boyfriend, fiance, or sibling whose home you visited frequently? Couldn't this affect your job/license/nursing student status? What if they had something in their house/apartment when you were there, or in the vehicle when you were riding with them? Couldn't you get in trouble with the law too? If the person were given a citation and not arrested, could that affect your career? Remember, this is not just a friend - it is a family member. I have a vested interest in obtaining your opinion, but I decline to be more specific as this board isn't completely anonymous.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

Yes, you would be in trouble. If the stuff is in the house that you live in how could you ever prove it is not yours? Same for being in a vehicle with the stuff. If you get caught with the stuff you will have to do a drug remediation program and have tough supervision on your practice for several years.

Not to mention a criminal record. I would suggest taking whatever means you have to to protect your license. They don't come cheap

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Specializes in Vents.

I'm sorry you are going through this. If I were in your shoes I would draw the ultimate line, They go or I go. And Yes, It will be before the sun rises on a new day and Yes, I WILL take my children with me, and Yes, the authorities will be notified of this situation. I have been in a situation where I have had to make that ultimatum and it worked out for the best. My situation wasn't involving drugs, but it was still serious. My license was the last concern @ the time since I was more concerned about the safety of my children and myself but it was something that I thought about later on. When push comes to shove you have to do what is best for you and yours. I wish you all the best soon.

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I don't do any of the above, but smoking pot is entirely different from meth....I think you should establish what it is first and respond accordingly. For me, meth would be reason to leave altogether, 100% a deal breaker; pot, annoying, yes, but I'd think that was more of a bad habit than anything else and be fine if they kept it out of the house and just with friends or something - as long as they were gainfully employed, it wasn't affecting the relationship and I never had to deal with it or be around it. (Depending on the state, I know Utah and Florida consider it a felony, others its barely a misdemeanor).

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Also, if its a sibling - not much you can do in that case if they are an adult except not visit unless they agree to rehab, not give them money, and help them when they are ready for help (not monetarily, but by finding support groups, etc).

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Specializes in School Nurse.

Maybe I'm just an alarmist but I would be very careful about drawing a line in the sand with anyone on meth. Especially if there are weapons in the house. Take the kids and leave. Then call the cops. Sounds like you are having the same problem that ended my marriage.

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If possessing them? Apply handcuffs and take to jail. I don't have ANY tolerance for drug users.

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If possessing them? Apply handcuffs and take to jail. I don't have ANY tolerance for drug users.

That probably wouldn't do much though, unless the person was a dealer. They don't just lock drug users up in jail forever, I think its usually a fine and community service kind of thing. If anything then she'd have to deal with her family member calling her for bail money. :/

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Without criminal charges being filed someone could report this incident to the board of nursing and make a case for you to loose your license and if you don't have one. They will make sure you don't get one. Keep in mind as a nurse you will be expected to report other nurses who may be using drugs. I have seen cases of suspected abuse alot of the times they are given probation from the Board of Nursing but caries fine of about 4,500. They have you pay the cost to see your case. I think if you are around this stuff it makes it a whole lot easier to use it yourself especially with peer pressure. Nurses unfortunately have a higher incidence of drug abuse. Knowing this is a family member who lives with you, you may want to think about finding your own place. Good luck!

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Specializes in OB/Gyn, L&D, NICU.

Pot only receive a ticket now, but that still crosses my limits, especially if it comes into my home! Other behaviors, such as the acquisition of materials to manufacture other types of drugs, even if not in my home, there is a trust factor - what if they end up in my home or a vehicle I am in?

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Not going to debate the use of pot, but meth or pot, either one will put on a fast track defending your license.

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Yes you can get in trouble so you need to decide if you are willing to take that chance. If you are not, and do not want any part of having illegal substances in your home, car, etc... then you need to decide if the person using is going to stay in your life or not.

I am a child of 2 alcoholics. When I grew up I learned to set rules/boundaries for my own life - what I will and will not be part of. When I had children I had to extend those boundaries to protect them. I love my parents (one now deceased) and never stopped caring for them, but my kids could not spend the night there or drive in the car with them (for example), b/c they were not able to commit to NOT drinking and driving.

If you are someone who loves someone with an addiction, it is difficult to learn to take care of yourself, manage your codependency, etc... but it is 10000% possible. Decide what you will and will not accept in your own life and stick to it.

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