Nurses and Substance Use Disorder

Nurses, while very professional at work, do have many stressful situations they are put through. For many this can lead them to abuse drugs or alcohol. If you are a nurse and substance use disorder is an issue for you, know you are not alone. There are some personal challenges you might face, but you can overcome them all with the help of an addiction rehab center.

The truth is that substance use disorder is a problem in the healthcare community. Many people want to believe that those who work in this industry would know better, but the thing is an addiction is a disease. Nobody is completely immune from it. When it comes to nurses and addiction, they have an impaired judgment and reduced reaction times. This can get in the way of their performance at work. They could hurt themselves, others in their profession, or their patients. If you are a nurse and drug abuse is an issue for you, please make the call to get treatment today. You could save your career and your own life as well.

Reasons Nurses Abuse Alcohol and Drugs

There are many reasons why nurses abuse alcohol and drugs. The majority of nurses who do this have a co-occurring disorder. This means they have a mental health condition along with their addiction. There are a range of things that could contribute to this including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and more. If you are a nurse and rehab needs to be your option, don’t feel ashamed. There are many other nurses who have been in your place and you will be understood by the recovery community.

Fatigue

Nurses have long shifts, rotating shifts, and many times they even work overtime. This can be emotionally, mentally, and physically tiring. They have little to no time to calm themselves. Many nurses get burnt out and they quit their job. Others get so exhausted they turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with their ever-stressing job. If you are one of the nurses who have turned to substances to handle your fatigue, be sure to get into an addiction treatment center today. You are not alone.

Stress

There are also many nurses that become highly stressed. They may be stressed to a point that they don’t feel they can handle their job anymore. When they drink or do drugs, they may feel their stress is lifted and it may feel like a weight is lifted off their shoulders. If you have encountered this feeling, you know what is being talked about here. Drugs and alcohol can be sneaky like that. However, you shouldn’t let them fool you. Alcohol and drugs will only bring more stress to your life. You can get the treatment you need to learn how to cope with stress in healthier ways.

Accessibility of Drugs

Hospitals and doctors offices have a lot of drugs. They have prescription painkillers, anxiety medications, and other medications that take the edge off those who are in pain or stressed out. With the easy access to drugs, it is no wonder so many nurses are tempted to use and abuse drugs. With this being said, the cravings may be stronger if you are around drugs all the time. You don’t have to keep feeling those pressures. You can get into an addiction rehab center and learn to overcome your addiction and dependence to drugs.

Nurses and Addiction – The History of It All

While the abuse of substances for nurses isn’t that much greater than other professions, it is still a big problem that needs to be addressed.During the 1970’s fentanyl was available in clinical practices. At this time, many workers in the hospitals started abusing it. Nurses would take opioids from the vials and put saline back into them. Many healthcare workers were overdosing from doing this.

For many years, the nurses were put under a close eye by state boards, due to the alcohol and drug abuse. Researchers noted that addictions were diseases that could be treated. Although, that concept wasn’t fully understand during that time. With that idea though, more drug and alcohol addiction treatment centers started popping up. This became more of a common thing during the 1980s.

Signs of Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Sometimes it can be tough to tell if someone has been abusing alcohol or drugs. There are some people who know how to hide an addiction. They may even seem professional and calm. However, you might notice the following:

• Tremors
• Fatigue
• Dilated pupils
• Frequently using breath mints or mouthwash
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Runny nose
• Rapid weight loss or gain
• Going to the bathroom frequently
• Looking untidy
• Laughing inappropriately
• Frequently getting irritated or angry
• Hyperactivity
• Insomnia
• Lack of concentration

If you notice any of these signs of substance use disorder in a fellow nurse, you should try talking to them about getting help. You may have to report your suspicions if it comes down to it. You may feel loyal to your fellow nurses. However, you must remember their substance use disorder disorder can put yourself, other nurses, themselves, and patients in danger.

Signs of Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Sometimes it can be tough to tell if someone has been abusing alcohol or drugs. There are some people who know how to hide an addiction. They may even seem professional and calm. However, you might notice the following:

• Tremors
• Fatigue
• Dilated pupils
• Frequently using breath mints or mouthwash
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Runny nose
• Rapid weight loss or gain
• Going to the bathroom frequently
• Looking untidy
• Laughing inappropriately
• Frequently getting irritated or angry
• Hyperactivity
• Insomnia
• Lack of concentration
• Lying frequently

If you notice any of these signs of substance use disorder in a fellow nurse, you should try talking to them about getting help. You may have to report your suspicions if it comes down to it. You may feel loyal to your fellow nurses. However, you must remember their substance use disorder disorder can put yourself, other nurses, themselves, and patients in danger.

Most Commonly Abused Drugs Among Nurses

Nurses who have a substance use disorder disorder may use many different drugs. They generally abuse drugs to cope with their job and then to prevent withdrawal. The most commonly abused substances include the following:

• Prescription pain medications – Mostly fentanyl and hydrocodone. Sedatives and barbiturates are abused as well.
• Alcohol – Binge drinking is very common amongst nurses and many other stress-filled professions.
• Other drugs – Cocaine, heroin, marijuana, tranquilizers, sedatives, amphetamines, and inhalants.

These are some of the most commonly abused drugs amongst nurses. If you have developed an addiction to any of these drugs, be sure to seek help right away.

Treatment for an Addiction

Nurses can get treatment for their addiction. If a nurse is able to admit their addiction, before making a mistake with a patient or damaging their job’s reputation, they may be able to enter a non-disciplinary program which allows them to get treatment for their addiction. There are confidential assessments, referral services, counseling, rehab center programs, and other addiction treatment resources. Many hospitals now have prevention and detection programs. They can help you to resolve your addiction.

If you are a nurse and you have an addiction to alcohol or drugs, be sure to get the help you need today. Don’t wait until something happens. You can save your job and your life. Make that call today.

Our insurance verification team works quickly to verify your insurance benefits to place you into one of our centers as soon as possible. Because of our industry expertise we will be able to verify this information in a timely manner and can advocate for more coverage or more time in treatment. We strive to do this as quick as possible while also maximizing your coverage. Our insurance verification process is of no cost to you and there are absolutely no obligations.