Massachusetts Department of Public Health Division of Health Professions Licensure Board of Registration in Nursing Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program.

Massachusetts Department of Public Massachusetts Department of Public HealthHealth

Division of Health Professions LicensureDivision of Health Professions LicensureBoard of Registration in NursingBoard of Registration in Nursing

Substance Abuse Rehabilitation ProgramSubstance Abuse Rehabilitation Program

helping nurses with substance abusehelping nurses with substance abusewhile protecting the public health & while protecting the public health &

safetysafety

Flickr photo credit: Delas…

SARPSARP

In 2009, approximately 22.5 million persons in In 2009, approximately 22.5 million persons in the United States were classified with substance the United States were classified with substance

dependence or abuse in the past year.dependence or abuse in the past year.… … That’s 8.9% of the population.That’s 8.9% of the population.

responding to an epidemicresponding to an epidemic

(SAMHSA, 2009)

Flickr photo credit: kristyr929

Flickr photo credit: kristyr929

Nurses are at risk for Nurses are at risk for abusing substances abusing substances due to a number of due to a number of factors including:factors including:

• Workplace-related StressWorkplace-related Stress

• Ease of AccessEase of Access

• Liberal Attitudes Liberal Attitudes towards Self-Medicationtowards Self-Medication

why why nurses?nurses?

Flickr photo credit: Spenser Marie

… is designed to protect the public health & safety, and does so by monitoring the recovery and return to practice of nurses with alcohol and drug problems.

SARP is a confidential, voluntary alternative to discipline program for nurses who hold a valid license issued by the Board, have a substance abuse problem and whose conduct could otherwise warrant formal disciplinary action by the Board.

SARP…SARP…

• Abstinence-based 5 year contract

• Random toxicology screens• Bimonthly therapy with

addictions counselor• Weekly AA/NA meetings• Weekly professional support

group with other nurses in recovery

• Quarterly monitoring meetings with our Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Evaluation Committee (SAREC)

• Quarterly workplace evaluations after returning to work

program program requirementsrequirements

photo credit: Daniel Sone

photo credit: Daniel Sone

• An alternative to having discipline on your license

• A safe & monitored return to practice

• A way to develop coping skills & a recovery system that works

• Participate confidentially with successful discharge

benefits of the programbenefits of the program

……in retrospect, in retrospect, many many

colleagues feel colleagues feel that an that an

intervention intervention probably saved probably saved

their lifetheir life..

““

””

Flickr photo credit: CraigCloutierSigns & Symptoms of Signs & Symptoms of

Possible Drug Use or Possible Drug Use or Impairment of a ColleagueImpairment of a Colleague

The smell of alcohol on their breath

The overuse of alcohol-masking mouthwash or mints

Hand or body tremors when in withdrawal

Unusual or excessive perspiration

Frequent tardiness and absenteeism without notice

Unexplained disappearances during shifts

Frequent complaints related to sleep or sleeping on the job

Frequent bathroom breaks

Coming in to work when not scheduled

Volunteering for unusual amounts of overtime

Unusual decreases in the level of grooming or self-care

Frequent reports of illness, accidents or family emergencies

Difficulty with memory or simple comprehension

Frequent or significant drug wastages, shortages or errors

Sloppy recordkeeping

Unexpected mood swings and personality changes

Inappropriate prescriptions for substances of abuse

(Kenna, et al, 2006)

Talk about SARP to a nurse you’re concerned about today.

No one has to do it on their own.

a complaint isn’t the only way to recoverya complaint isn’t the only way to recovery

photo credit: Rhoda Baer

Flickr photo credit: vanhookc

Board of Registration in Nursing

Substance Abuse Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Rehabilitation ProgramProgram

239 Causeway Street 5th Floor, Suite 500

Boston, MA  02114

phone: 617 973 0931/0904 fax: 617

973 0984

[email protected] [email protected] images in public domain or

taken from Flickr, attributed & utilized via Creative Commons