Substance abuse among nurses has existed for at least 150 years. Historical research conducted by Church (1985) showed that intoxication on the job existed even during the mid-19th century when Florence Nightingale began her work. Substance abuse is a problem that is still present today.
Substance abuse is a serious concern in the profession of nursing. The American Nurses Association (1997) estimates that 10% to 20% of nurses have substance abuse problems and that 6% to 8% of registered nurses are impaired due to their abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Chemical dependency is considered a disease that requires treatment. Early identification and treatment of the chemically dependent nurse is important for the safety of the public and for the well-being of the nurse and her profession.
Substance Abuse Disorders in Nurses Substance abuse and its negative impact can be traced back to ancient history and continues to be a significant health problem in the United States today. More than 15% of those over the age of 18 have serious substance use problems, with two-thirds primarily abusing alcohol and one third abusing non-alcohol substances (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1991). The scope of substance abuse problems is widespread, affecting the health and well-being of individuals, families, and society at large. The estimated economic cost of substance abuse in the United States was $114 billion in 1990 (Mynatt, 1996).
Basically, the problem of nurses with substance-related disorders gained increased awareness in the 1980s when the American Nurses' Association (ANA) first addressed the issue. The ANA (1984) defined an impaired nurse as one who "has impaired functioning which results from alcohol or drug misuse and which interferes with professional judgment and the delivery of safe, high quality care" (p. 18). Research on impairment increased during the 1980s but was focused on identification......
