REMOVING THE STIGMA

Recognizing that substance abuse is a medical illness that requires treatment is the first step in removing the stigma associated with it. Current philosophies of the ANA and boards of nursing support helping addicted nurses seek treatment and rehabilitation to become productive members of society and nurses again. Certainly, communication and information sharing are paramount for this process to be effective.

It is only logical that a nurse who is suspected of abusing substances should be reported. It is the emotional aspect that undermines the reporting process. Being fearful that a colleague may lose his or her job or terminate a friendship are powerful motivators to withhold or dismiss anecdotal or subjective information. As social beings, people are motivated by emotions; the ability of nurses to report a colleague would be less hampered, however, if one of their loved ones was being cared for by a nurse who was impaired. As patient advocates, this is the level of nursing at which all nurses should practice.

The second step is education. Understanding why nurses abuse substances humanizes the experience, which will ultimately prevent nurses from demonizing their colleagues who have this medical illness. To help people, nurses need to understand why people behave the way they do. Then processes, problems, and poorly designed situations can be repaired to help others recover.

Part II of this series will discuss how to confront and report a nurse suspected of substance abuse. Available remedial programs, return-to-work issues, and the continuing need for education regarding substance abuse among nurses also will be presented.

The author acknowledges Eleanor Silverman, MLS, AHIP, St Joseph's Wayne Hospital Library, Wayne, NJ, for her assistance in acquiring resources for this article.

This article is dedicated to a nurse with whom the author once worked in hopes that she finds her way.