WHAT should i disclose?

[noah04]

hello! I have been C/S for over 3 years, been through about 2 years in a documented recovery program, and anticipate a meeting with the Board within the next month or 2 after petitioning them for reinstatement.

My Drug of Choice was alcohol, however when that intervention happened and i could no longer drink, i got the bright idea to divert. This was very short lived (thank goodness) b/c a medic i worked with was on to me immediately.

part of my "process" for the diversion program was to be evaluated by a psychiatrist to clear me to work. He believes that i have depression, possibly Bipolar, based on my rxn to meds prescribed to me in the past.

about 3 months before i began drinking heavily, i began taking prozac 40 mg/d for depression (family doc). When the doc thought that wasn't working he added Adderall 20mg/d which absolutely sent me throught the roof. i drank everyday for 2 weeks, then diverted for 2 weeks. Guess this sent me into a "SSRI induced mixed manic episode", (say that 3 times fast),which is unofficially a bipolar DX.

i have never had a hypomanic or manic episode in the past without being induced by medication and not in the 3 years since i stopped taking prozac/adderall.

for 3 years before meeting this psychiatrist, i didn't know what happened, i thought i was scum of the earth, didn't deserve to be a nurse, etc. once he laid it all out for me, it began to make sense. I opted to begin meds- an antidepressant to alleviate the depression i get a few times a year and a stabilizer to make sure that sort of episode NEVER happens spontaneously.)

When i go before the Board do i just say i am an alcoholic who finally got it together, or do i need to address the depression/bipolar issue? if they bring it up what do i say? my doctor thinks that i am perfectly safe to resume nursing. i don't want to sound like i am making excuses for my addiction, or hiding my illness :39:

i feel like they wouldn't have given me a second chance to prove myself if it wasn't possible to be reinstated, but i don't want to screw it up.

thanks!!

[hppygr8ful]

I would not go out of my way to disclose the possibily of Bi-Polar disease to the Board. However, If the Board brings it up I would be straight forward. Tell them it was single episode for which you have sought treatment which will continue as long as you psychiatrist deams necessary.

I have not stood before the board but several of my friends have and it seems the board is more interested in the changes that have occurred in your life. How you work your program etc....

Above all else, I wish you luck. I will keep you in my daily meditation.

Peace and Namaste

Hppy