Welcome to all who suffer...

[recoveringtxrn]

rhiRN33, I understand your situation. My husband and I are both RN's, and I too hid my addiction from him from several years before being busted at work. As we were both working at the same facility (and on the same unit), this impacted not just our marriage, but also both of our jobs. Of course, i lost my job, and over the past 5 years, he has managed to transition into a senior leadership position at the corporate level. My guilt and shame was EVERYWHERE -- at home, in the community (one where everyone knows everything about everyone), and at the hospital. We managed to stay married through this tedious process of recovery, but it is a battle I have faced alone. He thinks addiction is not a disease, but just personal failure.

As far as your positive UDS goes, you might want to consider self-reporting to your state's peer-assistance program prior to notifying the BON. This fulfills your professional duty to report under most Nurse Practice Acts. Regarding your multi-state licensure privileges, typically, when you elect to participate in a peer-assistance program (like TPAPN), your multi-state licensure priviliges are taken away during the 2 years of the program. After successful completion of the program, you are then eligible to reapply for multi-state licensure. Another option to consider is contacting a Nurse Atttorney (RN, JD) to explain your situation and obtain legal advice. Most RN JD's will give a free consultation and advise you of your options.

Hang in there. Lord knows we need nurses, and recovering nurses need support from other recovering nurses. Oftentimes, as in my situation, nurses abandon those of us in recovery -- I have chosen NOT to do this. We can help each other, and we should. Best of luck with your husband -- this may be an opportunity for the two of you to learn about addiction together and grow in your marriage.

[rhiRN333]

Recoveringtxrn,
Thanks for your reply and support. As for my husband, he is back now and very supportive, I think he needed a few days to clear his head. Thanks a lot for your advice and support.
I'll be in touch.
rhi

[rhiRN333]

Has anyone ever faced criminal charges in addition to the BON charges?
If so, how did it turn out?
Please share your stories, am very interested.
thanks,
rhi

[christinez]

Hello
I Graduated from my state monitoring program almost 4 years ago. I used to be very active in the recovering community but fell away from the rooms about two years ago on a spiritual journey that took me to other places to stay clean.

Right now I am looking back to my AA/Alanon/ACOA family for ES & H. I went back to my Alanon home group after doing the same thing and expecting different results. Had my first relationship post divorce and picked another nurse/addict who was still drinking thinking it would all be okay. (duh..for me)..

I found out that I am still Codependent and need you all...

ES & H welcome!!!

Looking forward to your reponses!!

Christine

[fergij]

Hi TracyR.. new to this site and have come to realize I have been an alcoholic for 2 years.. I have too many horror stories to even begin to count..I am married with 2 girls and have put them through way way too much... I have only been a nurse for 1 year however I have tried on my own to stop and now realize I just can't..I admitted myself to a hospital this past week for detox, but did not feel I was getting the help I needed and left AMA yesterday after 2 days..not good I know..I am going to my first AA meeting today..the thing I am most concerned with of course is my license..I do not use any drugs of any kind just alcohol...please help!!

[kellibear]

Originally Posted by rhiRN333

Has anyone ever faced criminal charges in addition to the BON charges?
If so, how did it turn out?
Please share your stories, am very interested.
thanks,
rhi

i had felony charges for prescription forgery. i did 70 days in jail, a year of house arrest and it took 5 years before i had my license back without any restrictions. jail probably saved my life because i was taking 80 10mg lortab a day, PLUS shooting all the ms, demerol and fentynal i could get. it was a VERY dark time and i really wanted to die at the time--and was so sick withdrawling in jail, i thought i would die. but god must have had a purpose for me because i'm still here!

[kellibear]

Originally Posted by fergij

Hi TracyR.. new to this site and have come to realize I have been an alcoholic for 2 years.. I have too many horror stories to even begin to count..I am married with 2 girls and have put them through way way too much... I have only been a nurse for 1 year however I have tried on my own to stop and now realize I just can't..I admitted myself to a hospital this past week for detox, but did not feel I was getting the help I needed and left AMA yesterday after 2 days..not good I know..I am going to my first AA meeting today..the thing I am most concerned with of course is my license..I do not use any drugs of any kind just alcohol...please help!!

hi fergie--why did you leave ama?? you know that was not the best idea! i really hope you can do this with aa! it does work!! if the BON doesn't know--i wouldn't worry about it. i would think with the hippa laws, your info would be safe. if you think they can find out some way, i would recommend going to them first. it looks way better to them if you make the first step. addiction is a life/death --if you need to go back to tx to save your life--GO!! you are more important than any career!