Examples Of Substance Abuse In Nursing

Substance abuse among nurses

There is a saying by Criss Jami “An over-indulgence of anything, even something as pure as water, can intoxicate.” Too much of anything is no good. One of the critical issues mentioned in Healthy People 2020 is substance abuse. Substance abuse has a major impact on individuals, families, and communities. The impacts of substance mishandle are aggregate, essentially adding to expensive social, physical, mental, and public health issues. “In America the year 2005, an estimated 22 million people struggled with a drug or alcohol problem. Approximately 95 percent of people with substance use problems are considered unaware of their problem” (Healthy People 2020). Substance abuse refers to an arrangement of related

I would like to take this chance to accept this open door to attract thoughtfulness regarding an imperative issue in the nursing community. It's not regularly raised or discussed, but rather it’s developing commonness is disturbing. I am discussing substance misuse among medical professionals, specially among nurses and particularly the mishandle of opioid pharmaceuticals. “Every day, thousands of nurses’ struggle with substance abuse, a problem that can be invisible to their friends, family, and colleagues” (Telusca et al., 2015). These problems are particularly troubling in a provider population, as they can lead to serious safety issues for the patients’ nurses treat while under the influence. It has become a social problem because it has afflicted the family, the economy, and the

“Some popular forms of treatment include opioid agonist therapy, pain management, and psychotherapy” (Ivey, 2015). It’s hard to find accurate statistics regarding substance dependence because it’s often silent and invisible until it’s too late. In 2009, the ANA estimated that as many as 10% of nurses may be dependent on drugs (Talbert, 2009). Traditionally, drug addiction was often approached in a disciplinary manner. However, it’s important to recognize that substance dependence is a mental health issue, and should be treated as such. Since the 1970s, nursing boards have adopted non-disciplinary approaches that focus on treatment and rehabilitation. Adopting an organizational climate of transparency, and cultivating widespread awareness of the risk of addiction among nurses, can help reduce the rates of dependence. Regular drug testing is also a means of identifying at-risk nurses, who could become a danger to their patients. Fortunately, when addicts are referred to the right treatment programs, they can overcome their substance addiction. (Ivey,