Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Myths of Addiction (Part 1)

I have a Google “news alert” set up for the keyword 'addiction'. It sends me a daily a email with links to a variety of news articles, blogs, etc. containing that word. As you can imagine many of the links lead to some pretty crazy things. At the same time they can give a great overall view of how society “sees” this chronic, progressive, unnecessarily fatal disease. Too many of these news stories have one thing in common, they perpetuate many of the myths associated with addiction. Let's look at some of the major myths about this lousy disease.

Myth #1: “They did this to themselves.”

This myth is partially correct. All addicts have to have that first exposure to get things rolling. No exposure, no addiction. (ALCOHOL IS A DRUG!)

Unfortunately, our culture has used mood altering substances for hundreds of years. We celebrate life (the birth of a child, birthdays, promotions, new businesses, art, etc.) and death, with alcohol. (ALCOHOL IS A DRUG!)

It's Mary and Johnny's 21st birthday next week. Let's take them out for their first “legal” drink!” This can be heard in businesses, colleges, and homes around the country every day. When I was practicing anesthesia, the sales-reps would show us their newest piece of equipment and then tell everyone, “When you get off, stop over at the XYZ pub/restaurant/hotel for “Happy Hour”...the drinks are on me!” For 80 – 85% of the people who drink alcohol it's no big deal. They “know when to say when”. For someone with a genetic predisposition to addiction, it can be the first exposure that begins the process of the disease of addiction. (ALCOHOL IS A DRUG!)

It is no different for people who try any other mood altering substances. Those with the genetic “wiring” to develop the disease of addiction run the risk of becoming addicted. It's genetics/exposure/chemistry/evolution. Exposure alone doesn't cause addiction. Exposure plus genetics does. A strong family history of addiction (ALCOHOLISM IS ADDICTION!) is the best “predictor” we have today. If one of your parents has a history of addiction...BE CAREFUL! You could be next. Willpower won't prevent addiction...not using mood altering substances can.

The disconnect about the disease of addiction happens because the 85% who “know when to say when” find it hard to believe the 15% who become addicts ((ALCOHOL IS ADDICTION!) can't “just say no”. Once the disease has been triggered, the ability to control use goes away. The longer the disease is ignored the worse it gets. The worse it gets, the harder it is to treat successfully and the less likely long term recovery will be achieved. We don't wait until the cancer is so advanced it can no longer be ignored. If we do, no one is surprised when treatment only provides a short period of remission before it returns with a vengeance! EVERYONE is surprised and disgusted when an addict relapses after treatment.

I have never met an addict who said, “When I was growing up, I KNEW I wanted to be the best addict I could be!” Just like no one who smokes cigarettes or uses other tobacco products wants to end up with oral cancer, lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, etc. These nicotine addicts (NICOTINE IS A DRUG!) “did it to themselves”, yet we don't berate them or ignore them when they end up with a horrible disease. We treat them! Treatment DOES work. Recovery IS possible. But neither will happen as long as we believe the myth that they “did this to themselves and they deserve what they get.”

Monday, January 19, 2009

A Reminder to Nurses Renewing Their License

Ohio nurses renewing their licenses with a criminal conviction may be unsure what to do when it comes time to answering some of the questions on the license renewal form.

I can hear the gasps already. " A NURSE with a criminal record!?"

Oh PLEASE! If you are convicted of a traffic violation you have a criminal record! So please, step down from your "pulpit".

If you aren't sure what to do or how to answer some of these questions on your renewal form, be sure to seek legal advice if your conviction IS for more than a minor traffic violation. The conviction may not make a difference in your ability to renew your license and may have no impact on your ability to practice nursing, BUT, providing the wrong answer might affect your renewal process. If it delays it beyond the expiration date on your current license you might not be able to practice until things are cleared up.

Some links that might be able to provide assistance:

My 2 Cents Blog by Latonia Denise Wright, RN, BSN, JD

Frequently Asked Questions about Renewing/Reactivating/Reinstating Licenses


Ohio Nursing License Renewal Forms

Criminal Records Check Information in Ohio

Information regarding expungement of criminal records in Ohio can be found on the Ohio Legal Services web site.


Thursday, January 8, 2009

Professional Liability Insurance for Nurses

One of the biggest mistakes nurses make is assuming the malpractice insurance their employer provides is the only insurance they need as a practicing nurse. Nothing could be further from the truth! The American Nurses Association states:

"Professional Liability Insurance: A must have for every nurse. Protect your career by purchasing your own coverage at a reasonable price. Every nurse today should carry their own professional liability insurance to protect themselves from the costs of legal and board of nursing action -- even if they are covered by their employer.
"

According to the Nurses Services Organization:

"Healthcare staff reductions are putting increased demands on nurses and more and more patients are demanding cash compensation for problems—both real and frivolous.

Many nurses choose to rely solely on the coverage provided by their employer to protect their finances and careers. While it is a valuable benefit there are good reasons not to depend on your employer’s coverage alone:

  • Your employer's policy is not likely to offer coverage for off-duty incidents.
  • Your employer's policy is not likely to cover you following a layoff or job change - even though you may still be held liable for a medical incident that occurred while you were employed.
  • Worse yet, your employer's insurance company could actually turn around and sue you to recover damages if they feel you are even remotely responsible - armed with all the information you provided in good faith!"
According to LaTonia Denise Wright, RN, BSN, JD - "In my opinion all nurses should consider purchasing their own individual professional liability insurance policy. The risks you face in nursing practice won't disappear when you seek employment elsewhere; there are inherent risks associated with the practice of nursing. The potential for liability exists because of nursing accountability and this won't change with your employment setting."

Another problem to consider is board of nursing investigations and/or actions against you and your license. Defending yourself when facing the board of nursing makes no more sense than defending yourself in a criminal or civil legal proceeding!

Professional Liability Insurance protects you against covered claims arising from real or alleged errors or omissions, including negligence, in the course of your professional duties. Remember, legal defense and settlement costs are paid in addition to your limits of liability.

In the event of a lawsuit, your own Professional Liability Insurance policy would:

- Provide you with your own attorney
- Pay all reasonable costs incurred in the defense or investigation of a claim
- Pay your lost wages
- Provide reimbursement if licensing board issues were involved
- Pay court costs and settlements in addition to the limits of liability

Consult with a licensed insurance provider regarding the type of policies they offer for nurses.

Professionals carry liability insurance for their professional specialty. If you're a nurse and you DON'T carry your own liability insurance, why not? The time to find out if your insurance is adequate (either your own policy or that provided by your employer) is NOT when you are sued or called before the board of nursing.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

A New Beginning

Happy New Year!!

An appropriate day for all addicts in recovery and those still suffering in their disease. As the 12 Step programs remind us, we must take our recovery one day at a time. Dwelling on our past actions while our disease was active can stymie the progress of recovery. Planning too far into the future can frighten and frustrate us, giving us a "what's the use" attitude. Remaining focused on today, right now, helps us focus on the important things in our lives...relationships with our loved ones, recovering family, and our Higher Power. Focusing on doing the "next right thing" to the exclusion of all the other petty, unimportant distractions bombarding us from all sides significantly decreases the stress and anxiety that can lead us back to using the "thing" (chemicals, food, activity, or relationship) we compulsively use to relieve the stress we experience in our lives.

If you have a relationship with someone struggling with addiction, make a New Year resolution to seek help in getting that person into treatment. As professional health care providers, we have an ethical, professional, and moral obligation to intervene. The only "wrong thing" we can do is nothing. If you're not sure where to start, contact me. I'll help you develop a plan.

If you think you have a problem with drugs, alcohol, or another problem imparing your ability to practice safely, contact me NOW! There IS hope and you are NOT alone!

Jack
jack@jackstem.com
513-833-4584