Adolescent Substance Abuse Articles
Researchers feel student nurses need support to overcome addiction
By Staff Writer
Student nurses are just as human as the patients they are training to assist in their careers. This makes them prone to drug and alcohol addictions. Rather than punishing individuals in need of substance abuse help, researchers behind a new paper encourage support and treatment.
The paper, which appears in the February issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing, states that as many as 10 to 20 percent of nurses and nursing students may have a substance abuse problem. These individuals work in an environment that is highly stressful and provides easy access to powerful drugs.
Researchers suggest that student caregivers show the same compassion to colleagues struggling with addiction that they would show to their patients. After reviewing the latest research and professional guidance from several countries, the researchers have recommend key points that could be incorporated into alternative-to-dismissal strategies.
Suggestions offered by the researchers would make it easier for students to seek substance abuse help. They include discussing matters relating to addiction in healthcare and nursing education settings, as well as creating an atmosphere where individuals can report problems confidentially.
In their opinion, early intervention and assistance is an essential part of helping nursing students recover from their addictive disorder.
