[jewels123]

Thank you all for the information. It is wonderful to know that we are not alone. My husband contacted IPN yesterday and is in the process of awaiting the paperwork and contract by mail. He attended a meeting with his hospitals Employee Assistance Program this morning and advised them on his IPN participation. If he would have turned himself in prior to being caught diverting they have a policy of "suspending" his position instead of termination with IPN paticipation, but since he was caught first he was terminated today. They listed his termination as failure to submit to a drug test in a drug free working enviornment. They advised the BON would not be contacted due to his IPN Participation and was told that pending sucessful IPN completion that he can reapply 6 months post completion. We are unsure if the hospital will persue any legal action but we are hopeful with the tone of the meeting that they simply severed ties and allowed him to work towards recovery. This is the first I know of many steps and am hopeful for him and our future.

[jewels123]

My husband attended his first meeting with an addictions councelor. We have no idea if they meet the criteria of INP but it was a good start to get him out of the house and speak to someone. I am just thankful beyond words of all that i have read on these posts and the words of hope that have kept me sane for the past few days. I have shared this site with my him tonight when we returned, and I hope that he posts his thoughts and shares his story and his path to recovery. I only wish i would have found this site months ago when i suspected. Thank you.

[CABAYRN]

Dear Jewels123,

Congratulations to you and your husband on taking that initial step; talking to a professional. For me, the first 6 months to a year of my participation in the diversion program was the worst. However, things did improve for me and they continue to and I have every confidence it will for you too.

One bit of advice; hard as it is try not to let your husband sit at home and isolate. Get him out of bed, go for walks, go with him to AA meetings (does FL require that?). Staying at home, overeating, smoking, not getting dressed...I did all those things and it was the worst.

Stay strong!

[jewels123]

We are not sure what Florida IPN will include as part of his recovery contract but from the posts that I have read I assume the NA will be part of his requirment.

I have a question for anyone who might have some insight. I will make this as brief a history as possible. My husband was invovled in a motorcycle accident 3 years yesterday. He did not walk for a year. He briefly took pain medication 3 mo post his surgerys but ortho's took him off and he has been on Ultram for the remainder of the time. He has dealt with the pain by limiting much of his activities, over time the chronic pain took over much of his life. This by no way excuses his actions. He saw a pain management Dr for the first time 45 days ago. First they tried cortisone injections but then went to perscribing him Vicodin. One week into taking Vicodin was where his records at the hospial showed the beginnings of diversion. Quickly it escalated in the following 2 weeks.

This monday he has his follow up appointment with his Pain Mgmt Dr. My question is first, is it even possible to be on pain medication and in recovery. Second, I have suggested he tell his pain mgmt Dr. prior to being forced to by IPN. Not telling him would be a conflict of the Dr having all the informamtion to properly treat him.

I'm flying blind here. I know nothing of addiction or pain management or how the two intertwine or if they even should.

[jean1]

dear jewels. yes your husband will have to attend 3 NA/AA meetings per week (honor system) As far as being a member of NA they dont care what or how often he used. If he is taking rx as directed not considered relapse in NA.
The problem may be this. Your husband is allowed to take rx by IPN with valid rx. the prescribing MD must fill out a medication form given by IPN in his packet stating what the rx is & what its for. However, even with a valid rx it is a violation of the nurse proctice act to report to work while impaired. In other words he will not be allowed to take narcs on a regular basis. His urine must come back clean before he is allowed to return to work. Hoped this cleared some stuff up. Even nurses who are not in IPN who are taking pain meds with a valid rx and are reporting to work are violating the nurse practice act and if "caught" for lack of a better word will probably end up in IPN.

[CABAYRN]

Jean1 response sounds a lot like the CA requirement as well. We are not allowed anything that could be mind altering; even Benadryl or Sudafed. However, with a Doctors prescription, people are allowed pain meds, i.e. Vicodin. In addition to sending diversion a copy of the prescription they also need to submit a plan for taking the medicine. Such as, allowing you to hold the medicine and give it as directed. Also, how will any unused medicine be destroyed? That is what they want to see.
I have had friends in diversion have to take Vicodin for pain. One of them they would not allow to return to work until she had two consecutive clean urines; the other person they didn't even test after she disclosed it to them.

[jewels123]

Thank you both for the information. I feel like i have angels watching over me. I have also been going to councleing with the same addiction's thearipst that my husband is seeing. Mine is not for addiction, simply for counceling to help me understand and to help my family and him throught this. Thank you again so much.

[CABAYRN]

Dear Jewels123,

Trust me...I have been no angel! I do wish I had known about this site when I was diverting and right after I was confronted with it. I can imagine how your husband must feel because I was there this time 3 years ago. I think it is so great that you are being supportive and trying to find out all you can; obviously you love him very much.
Please continue to reach out as you need it. Whatever your religous ovservance, I hope you have a happy Easter weekend.

[robin4465]

hi! i have been clean for 3 years. i was using percocet after surgery and i started taking 2 q4, then 4 q2, then etc, up to 25- 30 a day. then it all came to an end where i diverted mso4 and valium, and tried to end my life. i was found in the parking lot at work, in respiratory arrest. i was taken into the er, and resusitated. they drug tested me, then found the vials in my jacket. when i came to, they confronted me, and the police were in the room. they said as long as i didn't leave the property on my own they would not press charges, but they weren't going to keep me there, because i humiliated the hospital. i turned in my license the next day. i was embarressed, scared, guilt ridden, the works. but hen i entered an intensive out-patient treatment program, and i went to AA meetings (NA meetings where i live only had 6 moths sobriety) and i slowly began to learn the 12 steps of recovery.
now, i am not the same person. i am happy, full of life, and have a desire to live life to the fullest. i have no desire to cover my emotions with pills of any kind. shoot, i won't even take a tylenol unless my head is pounding like a hammer. i just have learned that it's ok to "feel" feelings. that it is normal. i worked in a hospital ,a nd gave hundreds of narcs a week, and never had a desire to divert, which i am thankful to God for. now i switched jobs, and i work for a cardiology office, and i love it!! finding a job with restrictions is difficult at times, finding an understanding employer is hard at times. at the hospital, i felt like the people i worked with wanted me to bow down and worship them for allowing me to work there. it was talked about, ridiculed, and every time the narc count was off, fingers pointed to me, and i was drug tested, even if i was not at work that day. but now, i am not treated that way, and i am grateful for that. i have not had one positive drug screen in 3 years, and i have 1 more to go. to all, keep your head held high, for we can all get through this.... the point is "through" this, not dwell "in" this. may God bless you all!
robin

[jewels123]

It's been two weeks tomorrow that my husband was caught diverting. As I leaned on this site heavily in the first few days, i wanted to post a follow up on where he is today.

Two weeks ago, we were both scared to death. Two weeks ago, my husband seemed suicidal. Two weeks later the sun still shines every morning and we are finding our way through this. He knows that the path wont be full of open doors but so far there have been many who have shown understanding, empathy and a plan towards his recovery.

His first week was meeting was with councleors who are helping him understand his addiction. He is attending both a private addiction thearipst, and enrolled in an insensive out patient treatment program. The next hurdle was last Monday when he went to speak with his pain management Doctor. He wasnt required yet to tell him about IPN, but knew that being honest up front was the right thing to do. He was scared to death that the Doctor would send him packing and refuse to treat him. Instead he listed with understanding and a together they came up with a treatment plan.

Yesterday was a birthday party and the first time he has been out with friends since this occured. We have great friends but not ones who wont eventually ask him "WTH were you thinking???" It wasnt discussed at the party, as it wasnt the place, but the looks and hugs of encouragement brought him to tears.

We are still waiting to hear from IPN on what his recovery process will be that they all requiring, but are in hopes that the decisions that have been made are the right ones to get started on the right path with or without direction on what will be required.

We dont know what restrictions will be in place on his career in the future but are planning on him being away from healthcare for a while. Two weeks ago I couldnt see a way this would have been an option, but he seems to be finding them day by day. This is such a new process it seems he walks around with blinders on just trying to make the right choice for now. I guess this is the start.

Thank you again for all the kind words.