Welcome to Peer Advocacy for Impaired Nurses!
Chemical dependence and substance abuse are the leading public health problems in
our society. The average age for a child’s first experiment with controlled substances
is between 11-12 years of age! It’s not marijuana or alcohol. It comes from Mom and
Dad’s, or Grandma and Grandpa’s medicine cabinet! While addiction was accepted as
a disease in the 1950’s, we have yet truly to accept it as a disease. Until we do,
and begin treating it as such, the numbers will continue to rise.
Addiction Prevention Education Services, my old web site, has joined with Peer Advocacy
for Impaired Nurses, LLC to provide information regarding the disease of addiction.
While much of the information is focused on the disease in the nursing professional,
there is information and links to information for anyone dealing with substance abuse
and chemical dependence in themselves, a loved one, friend, or colleague.
If you or someone you know needs assistance, help is available!
If the problem is life threatening or in need of immediate help:
- Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room or treatment center
- Suicide Hotline: 800-784-2433
If you recognize the problem is urgent (for help identifying, signs and behaviors)
- Call for peer assistance in your state (if a program exists)
- Call treatment centers in your area
- Call Peer Advocacy for Impaired Nurses, LLC at 513-833-4584
If you recognize that a colleague is in trouble (for help identifying, see signs
and behaviors):
- Call for peer assistance in your state
- Follow workplace policy for guidance
- Contact your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) representative
- Call Peer Advocacy for Impaired Nurses, LLC at 513-833-4584
“Helping the impaired nurse is difficult, but not impossible. The choices for acting
are varied.
The only choice that is COMPLETELY wrong is to do nothing.”
National Council for State Boards of Nursing
