[maryellen]

HELLO EVERYONE,
I just found this site and am happy to say I feel great knowing I'm not alone. I really need support. I have made myself physically sick from worrying. I fight nausea all the time and have to force myself to eat. I need advice and support please, from anyone and if possible Nurse's from Arizona. You can E-mail me at mej857@aol.com
I went to work 6/04 under the influence of alcohol and was reported to the board. I have a long history of alcohol abuse. I feel so sick over all of this. I'm so angry with myself and ashamed.
I haven't started alcohol treatment yet, since I'm appealing my insurance company so they can pay for it, since I'm not working and do not have the funds. I just feel so overwhelmed. Does this get better?

[hppygr8ful]

Welcome to recovery! Though you may not think so now this may well be the best thing that ever happened to you. I drank for thirty years and got sober September 28, 2004 after a suicide attempt that landed me in the ER of the hospital where I worked. I was never under the influence on the job but I certainly was impaired as my judgement and criticle thinking skills were out of wack for a long time.

Alcohol treatment is expensive, especially in-patient and most insurance don't cover it. Here in California the board doesn't care if you can afford it. If they tell you to go in-patient you go or lose our license. Most insurance does cover intensive out-patient and that with AA meetings has been very effective for me. I went to eight weeks of treatment and still go to 5 - 7 AA meetings a week. Also you don't have to have any money to go to AA. Your board will most likely mandate that you attend 90 AA meetings in 90 days so you might as well get started now. Take a piece of paper with you get it signed that you were there. Most off all if you haven't stopped drinking you need to now. If you drink a lot you may need detox. Since alcohol detox can be very dangerous most insurance companies do cover at least 72 hours of in-patient detox. Just don't delay and don't try to white knuckle it on your own. I have been exactly where you are and I am now developing a life insobriety that is beyond my wildest dreams. After nine months of sobriety the board just let me go back to work _In non-patient care_ and I found a job right away at the recovery hospital where I did my treatment. It does get better and you can write to me any time. Peace and God Bless you.

Happy grateful recovering alcoholic.
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[TracyR]

God bless you all, and keep your head up. Please remember WHO your higher power IS!!!! You might want to add to your arsenal of programs, the "Celebrate Recovery" program which was started by the same guy who started the "Purpose Driven Life" movement... go to http://www.celebraterecovery.com ,

And get a Life Recovery Bible!!!

God Bless you all!

Tracy

[Neo]

I don't know anything how AZ board of nursing works. Sorry. I started my suspension late last year. Financially I stayed afloat because I had savings. Emotionally, some things weren't going my way like the obvious, job loss, recent break up, the winter season didn't really help.

As time goes on, things get better. I have to work on myself. I was going to NA meetings as mandated by my board. Honestly, it helped me a little bit. I saw things in others' perspective especially nurses. Going to meetings is not for me but it helps.

You ultimately is responsible for your own growth, 12 steps or non 12 steps way.