What is your opinion concerning society's stigma about health care professionals knowing better than to abuse substances?

“One would like to believe that nurses, who have studied the physiologic effects of alcohol and drugs on the system, would avoid such abuse” (Nursing in today's world: trends, issues & management, 2004).

Although people believe that healthcare professionals should know better than to abuse substances because they are the ones helping others, healthcare professionals are people too and make mistake, much like the saying ‘to err is human’. (CODA report, 2009)

The reality is that doctors and nurses might be more susceptible to substance abuse because of the stress of the job and easy access to controlled substances. They must cope with caring for extremely ill and dying patients and most deal with the stress of long hours and rotating shifts (CODA report, 2009). It is not only the controlled substances that health care providers abuse, but they also turn to tobacco and alcohol to help deal with the stressors of life and the job. To cope with the long hours and rotating shifts, doctors and nurses often turn to caffeine to remain alertness during long shifts and night shifts, when the circadian rhythm is thrown off.

Take a look the following video to see how Daniel M. Becker, MD, MPH, MFA, and Audrey E. Snyder PhD, RN, ACNP-CS, CEN, FAANP, answered this question from thier personal experiences: VIDEO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwnalEkAPCY

Resources:
CODA report: Health professionals and substance use. (2009, May). Retrieved November 15, 2009 from the Council on Drug Abuse, website: http://drugabuse.ca/newsletter_pdfs_v01_i07/Health_Professionals_and_Substance_Use.pdf

Ellis, J.R. & Hartley C.L., (2004). Nursing in today's world: trends, issues & management, 8ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 349

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