Understanding alcoholism and drug dependency in nurses

Despite the acknowledged prevalence of substance abuse among nurses, supervisors and co-workers of impaired nurses have little understanding of impairment or of how to constructively address the problem. A study of 34 nurses in Virginia explored factors underlying alcoholism in nurses. The study revealed that most of these nurses were influenced by family alcoholism and societal pressures associated with the female role. The need for acceptance and the inability to cope with stress were also important factors underlying nurses' use of alcohol. A general list of indicators of alcoholism and drug dependency were compiled based on the study results. Integrating the results of studies such as this one into educational programs for nurses may facilitate the identification of impaired nurses and their reentry into the workplace upon recovery.