Drug Addiction in Professional Nursing

Paper Summary:

The paper examines the biological and psychosocial prerequisites for substance abuse and subsequent addiction in nurses. The paper then looks at the treatment programs available as well as the preventative measures in place. The paper also discusses the implications of substance use, abuse and subsequent dependency for present and future nursing practice.

Outline:
Introduction
Position
Predisposing Factors
Treatment
Prevention
Implications

From the Paper:

"In order to understand fully the pathogenesis of addiction, the biological and psychosocial prerequisites for substance abuse and subsequent addiction will be discussed. The pathogenesis of substance dependence conforms to a general behavioral pattern of cause and effect. An external stimulus such as stress in multiple spheres of an individual's life (e.g. work/school, home, personal) may trigger an initially behavioral response to these stressors. The pleasurable stimulation from intake of these substances, the escapist theme, and the aversiveness of the "reality" of the individual's situation conditions the individual to avoid the aversive stimulus and take in these substances, where their pleasurable effects serve as a reward, a positive reinforcement for substance-seeking behavior. Behaviorally-oriented treatments involve extinction of this reinforcement."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ahmadi J, Maharlooy N & Alishahi M. (2004). Substance abuse: prevalence in a sample of nursing students. J Clin Nurs., 13(1), 60-4. Retrieved March 30, 2007 from the Pubmed database.
• Baldisseri MR. (2007). Impaired healthcare professional. Crit Care Med., 35(2 Suppl), S106-16. Retrieved March 30, 2007 from the Pubmed database.
• Beckstead JW. (2002). Modeling attitudinal antecedents of nurses' decisions to report impaired colleagues. West J Nurs Res., 24(5), 537-51. Retrieved March 30, 2007 from the Pubmed database.
• Fletcher CE. (2001). Michigan's unique approach to treating impaired health care professionals. J Addict Dis., 20(4), 97-111. Retrieved March 30, 2007 from the Pubmed database.
• Fletcher CE & Ronis DL. (2005). Satisfaction of impaired health care professionals with mandatory treatment and monitoring. J Addict Dis., 24(3), 61-75. Retrieved March 30, 2007 from the Pubmed database.

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