As Heise states, substance abuse among nurses a growing problem that is often overlooked by society. Addiction has been a problem in the nursing profession for over one hundred years (as cited in Monroe & Kenaga, 2010). According to the American nurses association, it is speculated that 6%-8% of nurses have a drug or alcohol related problem (as cited in Trinkoff & Storr, 1998). Substance abuse not only affects the individual abuser, but also can negatively impact those around them, most significantly their patients. Chemical dependence if often viewed as a lack of will power, but through education and research, this issue should be looked at as an actual disease. The education of nursing students is the first step in helping those with a dependence problem get the treatment they need to help solve this prevalent issue. Different specialties with the nursing profession are more likely than others to have higher substance abuse rates, due to work setting and availability of controlled substances (Trinkoff & Storr, 1998). There are many risk factors that lead to substance abuse problems, such as behavioral characteristics and psychological factors (Griffith, 1999).
The American Psychological Association definition of addiction is defined as “a state of severe psychological and behavioral dependence on drugs or alcohol characterized by compulsive use, a preoccupation with securing its supply and a tendency for relapse after discontinuation of the substance (as cited in Griffith, 1999). As the definition explains, addiction is strongly related to both behavioral and psychological factors, which can be developed at a young age. Psychological risk factors include “chaotic families and lifestyles, childhood victimization, and low sel...
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...99). Substance abuse disorders in nurses . Nursing Forum , 34(4), 19-28.
Monroe, T., & Kenaga, H. (2010). Don't ask don't tell: Substance abuse and addiction among nurses. Journal of Clinical Nursing , 20, 504-509.
Monroe, T. (2009). Addressing substance abuse among nursing students: Development of a prototype alternative-to-dismissal policy . Journal of Nursing Education , 48(5), 272-278.
Talbert, J. J. (2009). Substance abuse among nurses. Professional Issues, 13(1), 17-19. doi: 10.1188/09.CJON.17-19
Trinkoff, A., & Storr, C. (1998). Substance use among nurses: Differences between specialists. American Journal of Public Health , 88(4), 581-585.
Wright, L. E., McGuiness, T., Moneyham, L. D., Schumacher, J. E., Zwerling, A., & Stullenbarger, E. N. (2012). Aana journal. Opioid abuse among nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologists, 80(2), 120-128.
Mary A. Osborne, a registered nurse said, “Nursing is a rewarding profession that can provide life-long job satisfaction and job security” (Jones 8). A registered nurse (RN) teaches their patients and the public all sorts of different health conditions and practices. They also give tips to the patients’ families and friends on how to support them physically and emotionally (Bureau 1). Registered nurses are employed in many places such as hospitals, schools, offices, homes, military services, and in nursing homes (Minnesota 1). Often in time, RNs don 't work by themselves, they work apart of a team that includes doctors, therapists, of course the patient, and generally their families (Minnesota 1-2). To be successful
Healthcare is a continuous emerging industry across the world. With our ever changing life styles and the increased levels of pollution across the world more and more people are suffering from various health issues. Nursing is an extremely diverse profession and among the highest educated with several levels ranging from a licensed practical nurse (LPN) to a registered nurse (RN) on up to a Doctorate in Nursing. Diane Viens (2003) states that ‘The NP is a critical member of the workforce to assume the leadership roles within practice, education, research, health systems, and health policy’.
Substance disorders affects all social, educational, cultural, and age groups. Substance abuse research often focusses on the abuser and the family as a whole but not how it affects their spouse. United States misuse is linked to approximately 590,000 deaths and is responsible for injury or illness to almost 40 million individuals every year. (Cox, R., Ketner, J. & Blow, A. 2013). The consequences resulted from this disorder, are not only related to the substance abusers, but also have a great influence on their behavior and other layers of their life, especially their wives (Salehyan, Bigdeli, & Hashemian 2011). When the husband or boyfriend has an addiction the wife takes on responsibilities of her spouse which causes an increase in stress. Marriage is generally described as a protective factor against substance use. The concept of codependency was developed to explain what happens to the spouse of a substance abuser.
George F. Koob defines addiction as a compulsion to take a drug without control over the intake and a chronic relapse disorder (1). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association defined "substance dependence" as a syndrome basically equivalent to addiction, and the diagnostic criteria used to describe the symptoms of substance dependence to a large extent define compulsion and loss of control of drug intake (1). Considering drug addiction as a disorder implies that there are some biological factors as well as social factors.
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, accessibility to drugs in the work environment has played a significant role. Substance abuse among nurses is an arising issue in need of attention, it is alarming to know that patient safety and care is in danger when a chemically impaired nurse is in the workplace.
This stress makes nurses vulnerable to substance abuse. Abusing substances is a coping mechanism for nurses to deal with stress (Wright et al., 2012). Being overworked due to a shortage of staff, high patient acuity, rotating shifts, being assigned to different units in a shift are just some causes of stress for a nurse. Trinkoff and Storr (as cited in National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 2011, p. 17) state that “the more adverse the schedule was, the greater the likelihood there would be substance abuse.” Nursing is an occupation where emotions tend to run high and can lead to emotional fatigue. Emotional fatigue can also be due to a strained relationship between co-workers and supervisors/managers. The emotional fatigue causes stress. Dunn (as cited in Epstein et al., 2010) pointed out that emergency room and intensive care unit nurses are more stressed than other units because they have to deal with a more demanding workload, sudden change in the pace of work and often deal with death. Therefore, nurses in these areas are more at risk to abuse substances. There are more female than male nurses in the nursing profession. Women tend to cope less with stress which leads to substance
Nurses are heroes. Nurses are trusted individuals. We look to nurses to provide patients with not only the proper medical care but also with providing the personal care and support that they need. Sadly even our heroes can fall. When we look at substance abuse we all have preconceived ideas as to what we believe a substance abuser looks like. However the stigma does not always fit the idea of what a substance abusers looks like and what they do. In America alone there are over 300,000 nurses who are suffering from substance abuse. Approximately every one in ten nurses is suffering from substance abuse (Crowley, 2013). This surprising statistic shows the need for change; our nurses are our backbone of our world. The issue of substance abuse
Monroe, Todd, and Heidi Kenaga. "Don't Ask Don't Tell: Substance Abuse And Addiction Among Nurses." Journal Of Clinical Nursing 20.3/4 (2011): 504-509. Academic Search Complete. Web. 8 Dec. 2013.
The purpose of this paper is to determine the level of substance abuse in the elderly community. There is concern that as the population ages in the United States, there will be a significant increase in the number of older adults being treated for substance abuse problems. This paper seeks to understand the issues and concerns that are consequently involved with substance abuse among the elderly.
Main Point: What defines an addiction? According to Psychology Today, “Addiction is a condition that results when a person ingests a substance…. or engages in an activity….that can be pleasurable but the continued use/act of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life responsibilities, such as work, relationships, or health.” This can range anywhere from drug use to eating disorders, to gambling, to even texting in today’s generation. Shocking to say the least, especially when most people do not even know they are addicted or are an addict until they realize this definition.
Over 24 million United States residents 12 and older are facing drug addiction, but shockingly only 10 percent will obtain help from an expert facility (“Substance Abuse and Mental Health”). Abuse and addiction negatively effects the addict along with humanity. An estimated $600 billion is spent annually as a result of substance abuse. As surprising as this number may be, it does not explain the depth of damaging public health and safety implications of drug addiction, essentially there may be child abuse, domestic violence, and loss of employment (“Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction”). Addicts face critical health complications, monetary problems, ruined families, illnesses, or even death. As an addict falls further into their addiction, they will lose control of their drug usage, and most times exhibit harm to themselves and others (“Drug Abuse Ruins Lives”). Drug abuse takes a major toll on the addict, their family and on work relationships; on the other hand, there are numerous of people who have dealt with substance abuse overcame their situation and used it as motivation.
Thank you, Theresa, for your input. It is interesting that the Nurses' Code of Ethics referring to the caring aspects of nursing also apply to fellow nurses as well. Confronting a co-worker with substance abuse disorder is a challenging one without the proper education and understanding of the disease. I agree with you in the non-discriminatory nature of this disorder which leaves everyone vulnerable to get addicted. In truth, to deny the possibility of the drug influence means rejecting the reality of human weakness in nurses and the job stress in nursing. It is sad to hear managers dismissing nurses unhesitatingly without offering second chances. Now that several states offer the alternative disciplinary actions for clinicians, well-informed
The nursing profession is constantly in a state of change becoming more complex over time. Registered nurses work to prevent disease, promote health and help patients cope. They develop and manage nursing care plans, instruct proper outpatient care, and help improve and maintain health within their community. They are educators of health governed by state laws. Registered nurses can work in many different settings which determine their daily job duties. Depending on their level of training a RN could work with geriatrics, in intensive care units, as an educator, as clinical study observers, a midwife, oncology, or palliative care. Hospital nurses make up the majority of the RN group. They work as staff nurses who carryout medical regimens and provide bedside care. Most registered nurses work in well-lighted comfortable facilities, work nights, weekends, and holidays, and spend a considerable amount of time on their feet. They have to be available at a moment’s notice. Nursing also has its hazards all employees of care facilities are at risk for infectious disease, radiation poisoning, back injuries, shocks from electrical equipment, and hazards posed by compressed gas. Nurses are the link between doctors and patients.
Nagle, Jeanne. Everything You Need to Know About Drug Addiction. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2012.
(2015) used a cross-sectional design, survey method to determine if the self-reported health behaviors of nurses were worse, better, or equal to the health behaviors of the general population. Perry, L., Gallagher, R., & Duffield, C. (2015) revealed risky alcohol intake, inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, and current smoking are three areas that nurses ranked significantly higher than the general population in terms of risk behavior. In addition, only a few nurses did not report any symptoms of chronic illness with “more than 40% reporting at least one chronic disease” (CITE). However, when asked to rate their health status, the majority of nurses considered themselves to be in good to very good health (CITE). Perry, L., Gallagher, R., & Duffield, C. (2015) conclude that patient health is largely dependent on the quality of the nurse’s own health, making health promotion for nurses even more