Any nurses or health care workers here? - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

obrnmw · 08-09-2009, 08:17 AM

I'm new to the forums and am wondering if there are any health care workers here? We have an especially difficult time finding help/quitting because there is always the threat of losing our license and our ability to make a living if we tell our secret. I'd like to hear your stories of the response you got when you sought help--did they take away your license? It seems that most alcoholics I've spoken to were caught drunk at work or something else and, of course, lost their license; or DUI and lost their license. But, someone like me who has done neither, just is seeking help. Can you tell me your stories? I'm still binging, but am today 3 days without alcohol. thanks...joy.

**Impurrfect** · 08-09-2009, 09:23 AM

(((Obrnmw)))

Welcome to SR!

I was an RN, but am no longer practicing because of my addiction. My license shows "lapsed" on the BON site, but in order to get it back, I would have to go through the impaired nurses program.

My DOC is crack, though I have a DUI on my record back in 1994 and at the end of my nursing, I was severely abusing opiates.

There are others on here..some are in the BON program, some aren't.

I first got in trouble, at work, and was put in contact with a nurse who was a recovering alcoholic. I really wish I had paid attention to her back then. I did, at that point, jump into AA meetings (I liked them better than NA), got another job, and had 5-1/2 months clean when I hooked up with a guy from the meeting that introduced me to crack and it took me down...hard and fast.

This is a great place and is full of people who have a lot of ES&H (experience, strength and hope). I have over 2 years clean, now, and even though I am still paying for some of the consequences I brought on myself by using, I am much happier than I have been in a long, long time.

If you haven't checked out AA, I highly recommend it. If that's not for you, there are other types of meetings listed in the stickies - the postings at the top of this forum. I honestly don't think anyone can succeed at recovery without a lot of support. I don't do meetings, but I have several friends here. Not only do I spend a lot of time here, but I also have e-mail addresses and phone numbers of a few people here, so I can keep in touch even more often. I also have some people that I can get the f2f support.

One more thing. I thought being a nurse would, in some ways, set me apart from some people in recovery. The more I read here (I lurked for months), the more it seemed I was reading my own stories, so I hope you read, post and get comfortable here.

Hugs and prayers!

Amy

Sugah · 08-09-2009, 12:32 PM

I'm not in the health care profession, but I know plenty of folks who are. I was in a meeting last night with an ER doctor, a chiropractor and two nurses. One of the nurses is in the process of transitioning to another field -- her poison is pills, and she's decided she doesn't want to be around temptation. Another is in the process of getting her license back. Both the ER doc and the chiropractor are practicing. The first is in a program to ensure he keeps his license.

You might want to see if Caduceus has a chapter in your area. It's a recovery program based on the steps, but it's specifically for those in the health care field. Most of the people I know who attend also go to AA or NA, and they have nothing but good things to say about it.

For the record, I'm an educator in a university, and my status as a recovering person isn't a secret. Though I don't require clearances to teach, any resistance I may have anticipated when folks found out has been unfounded. Minds are opening to the fact that this is not a moral failing. We're sick people trying to get well, not bad people trying to get good.

Peace & Love,
Sugah

sfgirl · 08-09-2009, 07:21 PM

You should check with regulations. I think that with physicians if they self-refer they can go to treatment with no consequences to their licenses. However, if they get caught and are referred by their workplace or someone else that is where the trouble begins. Therefore there might be rules in place that protect you if you would like to help yourself but hurt you if you allow your condition to continue until it severely and noticeably impairs job function.

sfgirl · 08-09-2009, 07:24 PM

Check this out at the NY State licensing board:
NYS Professions - Professional Assistance Program

Informational Brochure: Drug Addiction in Health Care Professionals

SelfSeeking · 08-10-2009, 08:12 AM

I'm a nurse. Just like you, got sober without a threat to my license, although I nearly was booted from graduate school due to my performance while drinking (not going to clinical drunk or anything, but being hungover 5 days out of 7 certainly affected things!). I disclosed to my school and found them to be supportive. As difficult as the last year has been, I can guarantee you I'm glad I got off the crazy train when I did.

I personally do not disclose to anyone who does not need to know, or who I don't deeply trust. While you can't get fired for being a recovering alcoholic, there's a lot of prejudice, even among health care workers who you'd think would be more educated about addiction. I get lots of support from my AA network and find that it doesn't matter what my job is, I *blend* just fine

allnurses.com has an addiction/recovery board. It's good to see you are NOT alone!

indigo · 08-10-2009, 10:23 AM

Welcome to the women's forum lots of good suggestions already I see.

Fluttering · 08-14-2009, 11:41 AM

I was a nurse when I got into recovery..I didn't lose my license, that the time of finding recovery I was teetering on the edge....and found a meeting that was just for medical professionals.

I was white knuckling my first 18 months of recovery as I had asked 5 women to be my sponsor and got 5 "NO's" I was fortunate and blessed tho by working in the emergency room..HP saw to it to ensure that each time an addict or a person with alcohol toxicity came thru the doors it was my turn to be the one to care for them. I got to see in technicolor where I came from.. When I came thru the doors it was as a result of having died in the ER twice. What helped me was gettting into a great deal of gratitude that I was forced into recovery. Tho, to be honest, that is in retrospect as I was more angry than I was grateful at first...

I knew my life was unmanageable but my disease told me it was everyone else's fault. The longer I remained, the clarity slowly seeped in.. and i finally made a commitment to participate in my own recovery..As a result I became a much better nurse as well as a better person when I realized the promises would come true for me once I began to utilize the last line of the 9th step promises.."They will always materializ if we WORK for them."

Work...Work...Work...Trudge.. Step... Work

Latte · 08-14-2009, 11:59 AM

I was going to refer you to the recovery section of allnurses.com also.

pillzrbadd · 08-16-2009, 08:25 PM

Hi,
I am a nurse with an opiate addiction. I am not to sure how it works with the BON when you have not been reported. I was reported and surrendered my nursing license, i will be able to practice shortly but with restrictions. I have chose to get into my impaired nurses program. I have heard some stories on "Nurses in recovery site" of nurses who self referred to the program and were not able to work for a period of time, and then lots of hoops to jump through just to be able to practice again. If i were you i might get help without letting the BON know, going to AA/NA meetings or IOP. Hope i helped some, welcome to SR, great support here.

Priss · 08-20-2009, 04:57 PM

I'm a nursing student, and while my drinking hasn't affected my school work, I know it's only a matter of time. That's another reason I've decided to stop. I want to thank everyone for posting about the meetings just for healthcare professionals. I didn't know anything about those! Since I'll be graduating soon, I'll have to find one nearby. Thanks again!

08-09-2009, 08:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
obrnmw Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: penn yan,ny Posts: 5	Any nurses or health care workers here? I'm new to the forums and am wondering if there are any health care workers here? We have an especially difficult time finding help/quitting because there is always the threat of losing our license and our ability to make a living if we tell our secret. I'd like to hear your stories of the response you got when you sought help--did they take away your license? It seems that most alcoholics I've spoken to were caught drunk at work or something else and, of course, lost their license; or DUI and lost their license. But, someone like me who has done neither, just is seeking help. Can you tell me your stories? I'm still binging, but am today 3 days without alcohol. thanks...joy.

08-09-2009, 09:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
Impurrfect Social Network Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 25,238	(((Obrnmw))) Welcome to SR! I was an RN, but am no longer practicing because of my addiction. My license shows "lapsed" on the BON site, but in order to get it back, I would have to go through the impaired nurses program. My DOC is crack, though I have a DUI on my record back in 1994 and at the end of my nursing, I was severely abusing opiates. There are others on here..some are in the BON program, some aren't. I first got in trouble, at work, and was put in contact with a nurse who was a recovering alcoholic. I really wish I had paid attention to her back then. I did, at that point, jump into AA meetings (I liked them better than NA), got another job, and had 5-1/2 months clean when I hooked up with a guy from the meeting that introduced me to crack and it took me down...hard and fast. This is a great place and is full of people who have a lot of ES&H (experience, strength and hope). I have over 2 years clean, now, and even though I am still paying for some of the consequences I brought on myself by using, I am much happier than I have been in a long, long time. If you haven't checked out AA, I highly recommend it. If that's not for you, there are other types of meetings listed in the stickies - the postings at the top of this forum. I honestly don't think anyone can succeed at recovery without a lot of support. I don't do meetings, but I have several friends here. Not only do I spend a lot of time here, but I also have e-mail addresses and phone numbers of a few people here, so I can keep in touch even more often. I also have some people that I can get the f2f support. One more thing. I thought being a nurse would, in some ways, set me apart from some people in recovery. The more I read here (I lurked for months), the more it seemed I was reading my own stories, so I hope you read, post and get comfortable here. Hugs and prayers! Amy __________________ "I'm not where I want to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be" - Joyce Meyer "You got what it takes you can win, today is your day to begin. - Shania Twain (Tinker, Elvis [RIP], Patches and Mots - Mouth Of The South)

08-09-2009, 12:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sugah Om, Aum, Ohm... Mini Pool 2 Champion! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Punxsutawney/Pittsburgh Posts: 4,657	I'm not in the health care profession, but I know plenty of folks who are. I was in a meeting last night with an ER doctor, a chiropractor and two nurses. One of the nurses is in the process of transitioning to another field -- her poison is pills, and she's decided she doesn't want to be around temptation. Another is in the process of getting her license back. Both the ER doc and the chiropractor are practicing. The first is in a program to ensure he keeps his license. You might want to see if Caduceus has a chapter in your area. It's a recovery program based on the steps, but it's specifically for those in the health care field. Most of the people I know who attend also go to AA or NA, and they have nothing but good things to say about it. For the record, I'm an educator in a university, and my status as a recovering person isn't a secret. Though I don't require clearances to teach, any resistance I may have anticipated when folks found out has been unfounded. Minds are opening to the fact that this is not a moral failing. We're sick people trying to get well, not bad people trying to get good. Peace & Love, Sugah __________________ There's a train leaving nightly called when all is said and done Keep me in your heart for awhile ~WZ ANS 01/29/86 - 08/04/08 DAS 02/27/63 - 05/11/12

08-10-2009, 10:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
indigo Community Greeter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mid-Life Express Posts: 9,928	Welcome to the women's forum lots of good suggestions already I see. __________________ When you judge others, you do not define them, you define yourself." Namasté

08-14-2009, 11:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
Fluttering Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fluttering About Posts: 3,473	I was a nurse when I got into recovery..I didn't lose my license, that the time of finding recovery I was teetering on the edge....and found a meeting that was just for medical professionals. I was white knuckling my first 18 months of recovery as I had asked 5 women to be my sponsor and got 5 "NO's" I was fortunate and blessed tho by working in the emergency room..HP saw to it to ensure that each time an addict or a person with alcohol toxicity came thru the doors it was my turn to be the one to care for them. I got to see in technicolor where I came from.. When I came thru the doors it was as a result of having died in the ER twice. What helped me was gettting into a great deal of gratitude that I was forced into recovery. Tho, to be honest, that is in retrospect as I was more angry than I was grateful at first... I knew my life was unmanageable but my disease told me it was everyone else's fault. The longer I remained, the clarity slowly seeped in.. and i finally made a commitment to participate in my own recovery..As a result I became a much better nurse as well as a better person when I realized the promises would come true for me once I began to utilize the last line of the 9th step promises.."They will always materializ if we WORK for them." Work...Work...Work...Trudge.. Step... Work __________________

08-09-2009, 07:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
sfgirl Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 679	You should check with regulations. I think that with physicians if they self-refer they can go to treatment with no consequences to their licenses. However, if they get caught and are referred by their workplace or someone else that is where the trouble begins. Therefore there might be rules in place that protect you if you would like to help yourself but hurt you if you allow your condition to continue until it severely and noticeably impairs job function.

08-09-2009, 07:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
sfgirl Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 679	Check this out at the NY State licensing board: NYS Professions - Professional Assistance Program Informational Brochure: Drug Addiction in Health Care Professionals

08-10-2009, 08:12 AM	#6 (permalink)
SelfSeeking Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Northeast US Posts: 1,340 Blog Entries: 2	I'm a nurse. Just like you, got sober without a threat to my license, although I nearly was booted from graduate school due to my performance while drinking (not going to clinical drunk or anything, but being hungover 5 days out of 7 certainly affected things!). I disclosed to my school and found them to be supportive. As difficult as the last year has been, I can guarantee you I'm glad I got off the crazy train when I did. I personally do not disclose to anyone who does not need to know, or who I don't deeply trust. While you can't get fired for being a recovering alcoholic, there's a lot of prejudice, even among health care workers who you'd think would be more educated about addiction. I get lots of support from my AA network and find that it doesn't matter what my job is, I blend just fine allnurses.com has an addiction/recovery board. It's good to see you are NOT alone!

08-14-2009, 11:59 AM	#9 (permalink)
Latte I love my Coastie and 44 MLB's Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 2,101	I was going to refer you to the recovery section of allnurses.com also. __________________ I am so thankful for my sobriety Dios me da la Sernidad Para acceptar las cosas que no puedo cambiar La fuerza para cambiar las que si puedo y la Sabidura para reconocer la diferencia

08-16-2009, 08:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
pillzrbadd Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NY Posts: 77	Hi, I am a nurse with an opiate addiction. I am not to sure how it works with the BON when you have not been reported. I was reported and surrendered my nursing license, i will be able to practice shortly but with restrictions. I have chose to get into my impaired nurses program. I have heard some stories on "Nurses in recovery site" of nurses who self referred to the program and were not able to work for a period of time, and then lots of hoops to jump through just to be able to practice again. If i were you i might get help without letting the BON know, going to AA/NA meetings or IOP. Hope i helped some, welcome to SR, great support here.

08-20-2009, 04:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
Priss Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 26	I'm a nursing student, and while my drinking hasn't affected my school work, I know it's only a matter of time. That's another reason I've decided to stop. I want to thank everyone for posting about the meetings just for healthcare professionals. I didn't know anything about those! Since I'll be graduating soon, I'll have to find one nearby. Thanks again!

Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)