Challenges of recovery nursing

I was asked the other day "What do you think are the biggest challenges faced by rehabilitation nurses?" I would have to say that one of my biggest challenges is when you have someone who has spent weeks in a residential treatment program, only to leave against medical advice towards the end of the program. This breaks my heart.

There are several reasons voiced for the early checkout. "Now that my friend has graduated from the program, I have no one here to hang with" is probably my most distressing reason. This person has truly missed the purpose of the residential program.

The purpose of the program is for you to be given time to work through the issues that trigger your substance misuse. Reputable programs have groups and individual sessions that give you the opportunity to explore coping strategies and provide you with a chance to work through a few of these strategies to see what works well for you. Payor sources only provide patients with so long to work through their issues and develop a plan to meet the challenges they will face when returning to the real world. For some individuals, this is not enough time. Leaving early leaves a person ill-prepared and most likely puts them in the category of a revolving door patient.

Work your program! Fight off the temptation to abandon the work you have already accomplished. Rules are there for a reason, follow them. Don't let your fear rob you of the ability to tackle your demons.