Substance Abuse In Nursing

Jackie was one of the growing numbers of nurses who are impaired because of addiction. Sullivan (1994) cited that “nurses who abuse substances not only place themselves at risk for physical, emotional, and professional harm, but also create hazards for the institutions in which they work as well as the public” (p. 20). To deal with the issue posed by an impaired nurse, “nursing leaders must consider legal, regulatory, ethical, humanistic, and practical considerations in

Over the years, substance abuse in the United States has become a persistent issue affecting many individuals. In 2008, it was estimated that 17.8 million Americans over the age of 18 where substance dependent (Epstein, Burns, & Conlon, 2010). Many of these individuals being affected are nurses. Ponech (2000) stated that "approximately 10% of the nursing population has alcohol or drug abuse problems, and 6% has problems serious enough to interfere with their ability to practice" (as cited in Talbert, 2009, p.17). Studies show that nurses have a 50% higher rate of substance abuse compared to the rest of the public (Epstein et al., 2010). Among the many factors that contribute to the nurse’s issue of substance abuse,

According to the SAMHSA (2010) report on the national survey on drug use and health almost 22.5 million people are reported to be associated with substance abuse disorder (SAMHSA, 2010). This illness was found to be very common in all age groups, both sex, and seniors. There are several effects on these individuals and their families. Many people who suffer from substance abuse disorders fail to acknowledge these serious consequences. First of all, no response of pain relief can be seen with smaller doses of pain medications, as their bodies are used to high levels of various substances at the same time. Nurses become frustrated when they try to treat and help these patients with pain. Sometimes it is difficult to think about ethical principles when nurses have to deal with such patients with pain and suffering.

Addiction is a medical condition. It is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory, and related circuitry (Halter, 2014). There is no real difference between alcoholism and drug addiction, other than the substance of choice being different. In both cases, use of alcohol or drugs continues despite the presence of related problems and a tendency to relapse. This paper includes a student nurse’s experience of two twelve-step meetings: Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Tracy Fellowship AA Group had meeting at 2531 North Holly Drive, Tracy, CA-95376 on September 24, 2014. The NA meeting was at 219 East Poplar Street in Stockton at 12 pm on September 25, 2014.

D-The patient arrived on time for her appointment and stated to this writer as they walked to the office that things has gotten better. According to the patient, she knows her triggers to her anger and is willing to address it before it worsen to the point of walking away from the negativity. The issues in her home whereas it's her sister and her son, also, her brother and his family living with her as well tends to give her issues such as disrespecting her home and space. The patient then informs this patient that her brother, who was serving 22 months for drugs was released, staying with her until his parole approves his apartment. The issue in the home is not her brother, but his signigificant other and his son not respecting her home as mentioned before including her sister and her son. This writer and the patient discussed alternatives addressing the anger and dealing with those not respecting her home. At first, the patient mentioned about going into a shelter, but realized she cannot leave her 72 year old mother in the house by herself because as the patient reports, people will take her mother for granted.

Why it is important: According to Texas Nurse Association, “The Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses is a non-punitive, confidential, and voluntary alternative for RNs and LVNs with concerns related to substance use and mental health. TPAPN encourages nurses to seek help with psychiatric or substance use disorders. By recognizing and managing nurses with psychiatric and substance use disorders in the workplace, TPAPN advances patient safety. Guided by an Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from a number of important Texas nursing organizations and other stakeholders, TPAPN offers a minimum 1-to-5 year monitoring program (5-year for APN’s) that is voluntary and abstinence-based” (TNA, n.d.).

The specific prevalence of substance abuse among nurses seems to be up for discussion and thus far there hasn't been any factual irrefutable evidence (Chait, J., p.2). Although, “it has been estimated that ten to fifteen percent of all nurses in the United States are addicted to some type of illegal or controlled substance" (Heacock, S., 2013, p.1). Nauert believes that the incidence of substance abuse among nurses, and nursing students, is both under-researched and under-reported(2011). New research suggests as many as ten to twenty per cent of nurses and nursing students may have substance abuse and addiction problems (Nauert, R., 2011, p.1).

When referring to quality of life for an individual with substance abuse, also referred to as substance use disorder (SUD), through practice and research, the nurse is able to identify, test, and apply interventions that promote quality of life (QOL). According to Lubkin and Larsen (2013), “Application of research findings to an individual’s quality of life enables nurses in clinical practice to plan and deliver evidence-based care” (p. 183). With the use of evidence base practice, the nursing interventions can be individualized to the preferences and values of the client, which will ensure better adherence to along term commitment plan. Quality of life assessments can be used to evaluate the impact of substance abuse on the client and their

Opiate use disorder is an epidemic, and continues to be a growing problem. It is defined as the overuse of opiate medication, which can be prescribed or obtained illegally (Lin, Bohnert, Price, Jannausch, Bonar, and Ilgen, 2015). Sobriety continues to be a struggle for patients. This is true for those who have completed inpatient treatment as well. The documented pattern in this disorder is that multiple relapse episodes is a direct indicator of fatality (Ohannessian, 2014). Increased perception of acceptable pain levels have been shown to be an important indicator of opiate use (Lin, et al, 2015). Further review of the literature shows accountability can also be a key factor in increasing sobriety rates (Weiss, et al, 2014). The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) is equipped to combine these findings using a therapeutic relationship with the patient (Thorkildsen, Eriksson, & Råholm, 2015). The trusting relationship has the potential to increase patient compliance with clinic sessions as well as openness to share emotional and physical triggers that may lead to relapse. This is a holistic approach to care that can potentially save many lives. The role of learned helplessness in patients dealing with recurrent pain has been shown to lead to misuse of pain relieving medications (Sheftell & Atlas, 2002) Given the addictive nature of opiates, this misuse can be a leading risk factor for

Despite some hesitance to reporting CRNAs with substance use disorder, depending on the state, individuals may have certain legal responsibilities to report an impaired colleague. According to the AANA, “States may hold colleagues responsible for harm to patients if they fail to report a coworker in whom substance use disorder is suspected” (2016). A chemically impaired provider might give inappropriate doses in an effort to divert some of the narcotic resulting in inadequate analgesia for the patient (Luck and Hedrick, 2004). Impairment of a colleague in the workplace can have harmful patient safety implications. Bringing a suspected colleague to the attention of a supervisor or someone who can help is an act of caring and concern, not

A survey has been recorded about the prevalence of chemical dependency in nurses. About 2.6 million registered nurses are employed in the United States (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2010). The American Nurses Association estimates that about 10% of the RN

When deciding to enter the stressful and demanding field of nursing, I asked myself how will I physically, mentally, and emotionally deal with the demands of the profession? It takes a lot of long hours, knowledge of procedures and practices, and devotion to patients and their families. So how do nurses deal with the demands of their job? It has surprised me that in researching the profession that ten to twenty percent of practicing nurses have substance abuse problems. Substance abuse is defined as using excessive amounts of drugs or alcohol beyond their specified purpose. I chose to research this particular social problem

Alchol and drug addictions can affect anyone, not just your regular every day people but the people you put the most trust in when you are sick, yes Nurses can also suffer from substance abuse problems. Americans don’t often recognize addiciton as being a serious desease amongst many in the United States. Many nurses tend to stay to themselves when it comes to working with a nurse that suffers from an addiction. There are many understandable reasons why many nurses would turn to substance abuse. Some reasons may be that it came from their family histories that could include emotional impairment, alcoholism, drug use, and/or emotional abuse that result in low self-esteem, overachievement, and overwork. ()

Most of the nurse’s education about Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) occurred during nursing school. A very few select received some on-the-job training (OJT), annual online training, or had prior experience dealing with substance abuse patients. Out of the 24 interviewees, there is only one psychiatric nurse. This particular nurse is 55 years old with over 20 years of nursing experience. She started off as a diploma nurse and on her journey to a BSN, her exposure to substance abuse disorders increased. She also received additional training once she started working on the psych unit. Besides the psychiatric nurse, there is one trauma/ER nurse who has also had some exposure to substance abuse during her career as a nurse. She has been exposed

What sources did you use to search for literature grounded in evidence-based practice relating to your research question or problem of interest? The question of interest I choose is; impaired nurses that choose not to seek help, are disciplinary policy that are punitive a factor in the choice not to seek help. I used Medline, a few nursing journal sites, and the EBSCO Library to look for information related to my research question. The article I found is Don’t ask don’t tell: substance abuse and addiction among nurses, this article is from the Journal of Clinical Nursing.