I have a unique story.
I was a registered nurse for many years at a major University Hospital in Columbus. Made great money.
About 12 years ago (around the time of my daughters death), I had to have 3 major abdominal surgeries, all back to back.
I was on prescription pain killers for a long time. I ended up getting addicted to them. Because I had so many friends who were doctors, I was a master of manipulation and for 10 years I got them to prescribe me opiate medication to fuel my addiction. They did an intervention with me, kinda like the ones you see on TV, but without the family and about 4 of my friends who were physicians.
I started purchasing them on the street. That escalated quickly into H. I was a nurse, I knew what to do, I knew how to keep everything hidden. I was such a good secret keeper. I managed to keep my addiction a secret from my husband of almost 20 years for all that time.
A life changing event happened. I took all of my paraphernalia and threw it on the kitchen table for my husband to see. He couldn't believe his eyes. He had no idea.
That night I checked into inpatient rehab. I was there for 30 days. I then went into an intensive outpatient rehab for 3 months. I still see someone on a weekly/bi-weekly basis.
I surrendered my nursing license because the inpatient rehab was required to report me to the state board of nursing. I would have narcotic restrictions. Too many hoops to jump through. AND, I did NOT want to be around opiate medication ANY LONGER!!! I wanted out. So, I gave it up.
So many social workers made such an impact on my life. One of them told me I should go into social work. That stuck with me. I wanted to help other addicts.
So, I'm a full time student in the college of social work. My internship is working with adolescent boys in an inpatient treatment facility. I love it and I cannot wait to have that LSW (Licensed Social Worker) behind my name.
I was so used to making the upwards of 85-90K/year as an RN. Now we survive paycheck to paycheck and I have simple luxuries such as Nicoticket. Cigarettes were my last demon to conquer and I've conquered it, all from the help from you folks and Nicoticket.
Sorry for the long post, it's just been a journey and all of you are a part of it. <3
xoxo,
Dani
I was a registered nurse for many years at a major University Hospital in Columbus. Made great money.
About 12 years ago (around the time of my daughters death), I had to have 3 major abdominal surgeries, all back to back.
I was on prescription pain killers for a long time. I ended up getting addicted to them. Because I had so many friends who were doctors, I was a master of manipulation and for 10 years I got them to prescribe me opiate medication to fuel my addiction. They did an intervention with me, kinda like the ones you see on TV, but without the family and about 4 of my friends who were physicians.
I started purchasing them on the street. That escalated quickly into H. I was a nurse, I knew what to do, I knew how to keep everything hidden. I was such a good secret keeper. I managed to keep my addiction a secret from my husband of almost 20 years for all that time.
A life changing event happened. I took all of my paraphernalia and threw it on the kitchen table for my husband to see. He couldn't believe his eyes. He had no idea.
That night I checked into inpatient rehab. I was there for 30 days. I then went into an intensive outpatient rehab for 3 months. I still see someone on a weekly/bi-weekly basis.
I surrendered my nursing license because the inpatient rehab was required to report me to the state board of nursing. I would have narcotic restrictions. Too many hoops to jump through. AND, I did NOT want to be around opiate medication ANY LONGER!!! I wanted out. So, I gave it up.
So many social workers made such an impact on my life. One of them told me I should go into social work. That stuck with me. I wanted to help other addicts.
So, I'm a full time student in the college of social work. My internship is working with adolescent boys in an inpatient treatment facility. I love it and I cannot wait to have that LSW (Licensed Social Worker) behind my name.
I was so used to making the upwards of 85-90K/year as an RN. Now we survive paycheck to paycheck and I have simple luxuries such as Nicoticket. Cigarettes were my last demon to conquer and I've conquered it, all from the help from you folks and Nicoticket.
Sorry for the long post, it's just been a journey and all of you are a part of it. <3
xoxo,
Dani
