provider is depressed, anxious, or is in pain. The information used to diagnose
personal illness is subjective and as the craving for the medication increases it
interferes with the objective reasoning that the healthcare provider normally uses
when assessing patients.
EASY ACCESSIBILITY TO DRUGS
Drugs are available to many healthcare professionals especially in a healthcare
facility where they administer medication. Even under tight controls, drugs can
be diverted by healthcare professionals with little chance of being caught. For
example, they may give the patient half the prescribed dose and keep the other
half for themselves.
RECREATIONAL USE
After a long shift, healthcare professionals need to relax. The fastest way to get
to that state of mind may be to take a pill or inject a drug. However, additional
doses may be needed to remain in that state. Eventually, the healthcare profes-
sional may become addicted to the drug.
Detecting Substance Abuse
The term “substance abuser” conjures images of an unkempt, malnourished per-
son who sleeps on the streets. In reality, the person working alongside you or liv-
ing in the house across the street from you could be a substance abuser because
many substance abusers go to great lengths to hide their addiction.
However, no matter how well substance abusers try to conceal their addic-
tion, eventually the addiction causes them to change and it is those changes that
become signs of substance abuse. Here are those signs.
DISORGANIZATION
Many of the drugs used to alleviate pain or anxiety can lead to addiction. These
drugs alter the thinking process. Consequently, individuals are unable to think
clearly and logically. Simple tasks can become overwhelming and eventually an
addicted individual will become scattered or disorganized. For example, taking
CHAPTER 4 Substance Abuse^65