Drug and Substance Abuse among Nursing Professionals Research Paper

Drug and Substance Abuse among Nursing Professionals - Research Paper Example The primary factor that influences high drug abuse recognition is the assumption that drug abusers are either economically depressed or ignorant about the dangers of drugs. Nurses and other health care professionals are taken by society as people who are financially well-up and able to manage stress and depression. The society seems to ignore the fact that no one is his or her own doctor. Even those who take care of the social and psychological needs of the society need social and psychological help. Contrary to the general societal misconception, the number of nurses abusing drugs and alcohol has increased over the years. Researchers have found a significant number of nurses who report the lack of moral support from the society as the major factor that influences them to take drugs. The society seems to be over-expectant on the role of nursing, forgetting that nurses are also human beings and can get depressed. At the same time, a nurse who is found taking drugs such as alcohol is seen as an irresponsible profession who needs to be fired for being a bad role model to the society. Nurses are expected to be morally upright all the time. The society does not expect them to take drugs and preach against them at the same time. Based on the misconception of the society towards nursing, many health care professionals are forced to take drugs while hiding. They develop the feeling that people will not trust their services if they see them taking alcohol, smoking, or taking any other type of drug that society deems immoral.