High-stress professions have a known association with increased substance abuse risk. Frequently, highly-educated and well-compensated professionals struggle to manage the chronic stress from their careers. In some cases, they may turn to illicit substances as a means of managing their stress and the symptoms it generates. Alcohol abuse and the abuse of prescription medications are widespread in the nursing profession.
If reports of self-medicating reach employers or licensing authorities, nurses may be at risk of losing their jobs and/or professional licenses.
Addiction can compromise care
There are two main concerns that incentivize an immediate response to allegations of a nurse’s substance abuse. The first is the possibility of them showing up impaired or hungover for a shift.
Nurses need to be ready to respond rapidly to changes in their patients’ conditions. They sometimes need to make immediate choices that can affect a patient’s long-term prognosis. Nurses dealing with compromised capabilities because of inebriation or a hangover might provide substandard care to their patients.
The second concern relates to drug diversion. Nurses who abuse prescription medications might keep the drugs intended for their patients. The goal may be to sell them to acquire another substance or to consume the medication directly. When reports of substance abuse reach employers or regulatory authorities, the nurse involved could be at risk of major career setbacks.
Professionals struggling with but willing to address substance abuse disorders should not have to sacrifice their careers due to how they handle stress. Countering claims of misconduct, undergoing treatments and working with a lawyer for all licensing matters can help nurses protect their licenses.
