Drexel Final Paper
Substance Abuse and Addiction in Nursing
Drexel University
Substance Abuse and Addiction in Nursing
There was a time when substance abuse (SA) in nursing was unheard of; however, it was always there. The reality was that it was merely disregarded. How could any type of addiction or SA in nursing be disregarded? It is difficult to speculate why our culture overlooked this, but one explanation is associated with the Gallop Poll which reports nursing as the most trusted and ethical profession in the United States (US) (Cherry & Jacob, 2014). Therefore; how can the most trusted and ethical profession coexist with SA, addiction, or an impaired nurse?
Townsend defines an individual with a substance abuse disorder as a person who fails at several attempts to control or stop a substance that interferes with that individual’s ability to perform daily functions such as obligations at home, school, or work (Townsend, 2014). It is this impaired ability that endangers patients, coworkers, the organization’s reputation, the nursing profession as a whole, and ultimately themselves.
Drug and alcohol abuse is a serious issue that has reached epidemic proportions in the general population (Taylor, Lillis, LeMone, & Lynn, Walters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins). It is now believed that the incidence of drug and alcohol abuse in the nursing profession parallels the proportions of the general public (Valdes, 2014). Therefore; ignoring this issue is no longer an option. In order to cease the progression of this critical nursing issue it must be; defined and recognized as an epidemic, acknowledged as a treatable disease with known causative factors, and identified early enough to treat or even prevent.
The Incidence of Substance-Abusing Nurses The first known report of an impaired nurse was over 150 years ago. Jane Gibson was one the nurses who volunteered with Florence Nightingale in the Crimean War. Shortly after their return, Gibson was dismissed
Drexel University
Substance Abuse and Addiction in Nursing
There was a time when substance abuse (SA) in nursing was unheard of; however, it was always there. The reality was that it was merely disregarded. How could any type of addiction or SA in nursing be disregarded? It is difficult to speculate why our culture overlooked this, but one explanation is associated with the Gallop Poll which reports nursing as the most trusted and ethical profession in the United States (US) (Cherry & Jacob, 2014). Therefore; how can the most trusted and ethical profession coexist with SA, addiction, or an impaired nurse?
Townsend defines an individual with a substance abuse disorder as a person who fails at several attempts to control or stop a substance that interferes with that individual’s ability to perform daily functions such as obligations at home, school, or work (Townsend, 2014). It is this impaired ability that endangers patients, coworkers, the organization’s reputation, the nursing profession as a whole, and ultimately themselves.
Drug and alcohol abuse is a serious issue that has reached epidemic proportions in the general population (Taylor, Lillis, LeMone, & Lynn, Walters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins). It is now believed that the incidence of drug and alcohol abuse in the nursing profession parallels the proportions of the general public (Valdes, 2014). Therefore; ignoring this issue is no longer an option. In order to cease the progression of this critical nursing issue it must be; defined and recognized as an epidemic, acknowledged as a treatable disease with known causative factors, and identified early enough to treat or even prevent.
The Incidence of Substance-Abusing Nurses The first known report of an impaired nurse was over 150 years ago. Jane Gibson was one the nurses who volunteered with Florence Nightingale in the Crimean War. Shortly after their return, Gibson was dismissed
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