Nurses with a Substance Use Disorder Face Unique Challenges

Nurses with a Substance Use Disorder Face Unique Challenges

According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the percentage of nurses in the U.S. who have a substance use disorder (i.e., dependence on alcohol and/or drugs) is about 10%, similar to the percentage of the general population.[1] Given the large number of nurses working in the field—approximately 4 million[2]—this rate of addiction…

nurse wearing surgical mask during the covid-19 pandemic

Reflections on COVID-19 Pandemic and Increasing Access to Treatment for Doctors and Nurses Seeking Recovery from Alcohol or Drug Abuse

“It’s not stress that kills us; it’s our reaction to it.” – Hans Selye, Nobel Prize-nominated endocrinologist, coined the physiological term “stress” On February 29, 2020, the first COVID-19 death was reported in the U.S.[1] In the nine weeks since that date, the coronavirus has caused more than 68,000 deaths with over 1.17 million confirmed…

addiction in doctors and nurses showing in man with hand over his face in hospital

Rehab-Recovery 101: Addressing Addiction and Shame in Doctors and Nurses

“Once we realize that imperfect understanding is the human condition, there is no shame in being wrong, only in failing to correct our mistakes.” – George Soros   Having been in recovery for 22-plus years, I must say it seems rare for me to hear someone has easily admitted to having a problem with alcohol…