Drug and alcohol abuse by nurses exposed

One third of cases involving nurses and midwives appearing at fitness to practice inquiries involve drugs or alcohol.

Statistics from the Nursing and Midwifery Board (NMBI) published by irishhealth.com, show that between 2006 and 2010, 115 fitness to practice inquiries were carried out. A total of 39 of these cases involved drug or alcohol abuse by the nurses and midwives involved. Of these, 28 involved drug abuse and 11 alcohol abuse. All of these cases also included allegations of professional misconduct.

The NMBI pointed out that, regarding the cases relating to drug abuse, issues arose with nurses or midwives self-medicating instead of seeking professional help for a range of issues like anxiety, insomnia, pain, stress or depression.