Nursing: a high-risk profession

The medical field is a physically demanding and emotionally taxing industry, making it no surprise that many healthcare professionals turn to drugs or alcoholism for escape.

Nurses are expected to work long hours, think quickly, show compassion, witness trauma, remain calm, stay organized and soothe others during a difficult time—and then go home and live a normal life, only to come back to work and do it all again tomorrow.

Due to the inherent responsibility that comes with such a position, addiction is a particularly troubling problem among healthcare professionals. It's a liability to patients and practices everywhere. Although addiction rates average at around 10 percent, which is in keeping with the rest of the population, nurses are in the unique position of having access to—and knowledge of—narcotics and are more easily able to manipulate situations to avoid detection. Learn to identify and address addiction issues among medical staff for a healthy, efficient, safe and productive work environment.

The simplest (although still far from easy) way to prevent addiction issues in the workplace is avoidance and early detection. The implementation of a random drug testing program can be an effective deterrent, as can strict monitoring of distribution and administration of addictive substances. Educating medical professionals about the availability of treatment, the importance of reporting suspicious behavior and the opportunity to retain their license if they come forward are also proactive ways to address addiction issues early.

Detecting Addiction Issues

The Malibu Hills Treatment Center has compiled a list of behaviors to watch out for in your fellow nurses and doctors to identify if they have a substance-abuse problem. Some of those workplace behaviors include:
• Frequent or long trips to the bathroom or the drug stockroom
• Time spent at work when they are not on the schedule
• Inconsistent work performance and sloppy mistakes
• Poor record keeping, unusually bad handwriting and questionable entries
• Mistakes resulting in drug wastage or insisting on personally administering narcotics injections to patients

Additional signs of addiction that medical professionals and their loved ones can monitor include:
• Increased absences from work
• Isolation and guilty or secretive behavior
• Changes in appetite, energy levels or sleep patterns
• Increased agitation or irritability
• Unexplained changes in personality
• New financial concerns or an urgency around money

Addressing Suspicions

A unique challenge for the nursing population is overcoming the stigma associated with addiction to seek treatment. A low barrier to enter treatment is extremely important. One encouraging development is the advancement of specialized treatment programs for medical professionals in which they receive treatment and long-term aftercare without losing their license. Advertising these options to staff and taking a compassionate stance on the struggles of addiction is essential to creating a healthy, honest atmosphere conducive to change.

A streamlined and anonymous reporting system can also help nurses feel more comfortable about coming forward with concerns. When combined with forgiving disciplinary process and opportunities to maintain a professional identity, nurses may be more willing to report suspicious activity if there's a safe and convenient process for doing so. Anonymity can also eliminate the fear of being the catalyst for workplace drama among staff. It's vital that employees know that taking action is another way to protect and care for patients while taking a stand for the well-being of their colleagues.

The nursing community is vulnerable to addiction due to a combination of the availability of controlled substances, a high-stress lifestyle, and the false confidence that comes with being knowledgeable about medications and their effects. Although it can be difficult to confront an employee about suspicions of abuse, the repercussions of looking the other way can be vast, up to and including the loss of life of a patient or the employee as their addiction progresses.

A supportive work environment involves making sure each member of the staff can live up to their ability and potential on the job, and that may include offering assistance and accountability in the battle against addiction. Outline an administrative plan for handling addiction issues with compassion, guaranteeing more health and wellness for staff and patients alike.

Dr. Riana Chagoury became a psychologist to help people live happier, healthier and focused lives. She has extensive experience working with individuals struggling with addiction and/or psychological instability. She currently works with patients and families at Malibu Hills Treatment Center, a luxury rehab center in Southern California.

The views, opinions and positions expressed within these guest posts are those of the author alone and do not represent those of Becker's Hospital Review/Becker's Healthcare. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The copyright of this content belongs to the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with them.

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