Ramifications of taking benzo to deal with stress of job?

All,

Started my first RN job about a month ago and found that I was having severe panic attacks at work and having trouble sleeping at home. My PCP gave me a prescription for Klonopin 0.25mg PRN for anxiety. I have had to take some while at work but I never thought it made me sleepy or was in any way harmful in my job performance. I wondered what would happen if

1. An accident happened at work and I had to take the company required post incident drug test and tested positive for benzos for which I have a valid prescription for?

2. The end of shift narcotic account is "off" and benzo's are missing? I'm not sure if they do a drug test right then but maybe they do and I look like the theif.


Anybody had any experience in this area? I'm sure there are nurses that take Lortab for valid pain(maybe not even while work) but have enough in their system to make a positive drug test.

Thanks,
I have anxiety and take xanax when needed only under very stressful circumstances...if I don't my performance suffers due to increased heart rate, being all diaphoretic etc. This job is very stressful and I think that if you feel the need for something due to anxiety and it makes you feel better and able to perform your job better...by all means do what you gotta do. Now benzos are very addictive and withdrawal from them is horrible just from common knowledge I'm sure your aware of that...so I only take when absolutely needed. Your not the only one, trust me there's nothing worse than some days going into work with your stomach hurting and driving there in complete panic(one example for me). As long as you have a prescription you have no worries what so ever...they can't hold that against you.

I'm interested to hear comments about this as well. I take Ativan occasionally for panic attacks as well, started in nursing school. I also wanted to let you know you're not alone

Quote from sbostonRNI'm interested to hear comments about this as well. I take Ativan occasionally for panic attacks as well, started in nursing school. I also wanted to let you know you're not alone

If your job is so stressful you need to medicate yourself...then you need another job!

IMO, taking drugs that alter mood significantly like these benzos do, is working impaired and under the influence. I'm sure places would find that illegal but I'm not going to pretend like I know every states BON laws. I wouldn't want a nurse taking benzos taking care of me.I thought it was common practice to not take pain killers/anxiolytics while on the job.. especially when people's lives are involved..

Benzo's scare me in general. I've known too many people personally get completely addicted to these and have horrible withdrawals and ongoing addiction problems. I am also of the mindset that it has gotten out of hand how many people are on meds for anxiety and moods, etc. I'm not trying to dismiss your problem, but I would just be really careful with taking this stuff. Honestly, I would never take something like that and then work. It seems dangerous.Is there anything else you can do to relieve stress?

First off, I empathize. Expecially for a first year RN, the job can be downright dread-inducing. We ALL wish we could medicate ourselves on some days, even us veterans! Secondly, as much as you'd like to believe it, you are not "anonymous" on any internet forum. It's not too difficult for folks to find out who you are and where you live. I'd be very careful about posting this stuff.Thirdly, taking any mood altering med outside of antidepressants while on the job, is a road straight to unemployment.

Check with your BON website. In IL,you can't work while taking narcotics, benzos, anti-anxiolytics.

Quote from traumaRUsCheck with your BON website. In IL,you can't work while taking narcotics, benzos, anti-anxiolytics.

Surely there is a better choice long-term then benzo's. Can you talk to a professional about how to handle the stress? As for what would happen at work--depends on so many factors. But if a lawyer can prove you were on meds that might affect your thinking then you would have to prove it does not. Our nurse practice act leaves it up to the nurse to know when they are impaired, but the NPA does not protect the nurse who is being treated with a legitimate RX who, working impaired, caused an unsafe patient situation. It all comes down to do you know when you are impaired and are you willing to risk it?

So, here is reality: You can take a prescribed med or work without a prescribed med (same applies you see) if that med or lack there of does not cause you to screw up.If you screw up, and they find you were taking something not prescribed, or taking too much of something prescribed, or that prescribed med you cannot handle the side effects of --OR-- you have not taken something you were supposed to take, or came to work unable to work due to symptoms you have not treatment for...You see, you have to be of right mind and body to work - you gotta be there legally. Nuff said.

Come to think of it, Benzos can very definitely impair your thinking. I was prescribed them prior to having a series of dental surgeries (major dentist phobia). Really didn't like that they made me feel fuzzy.But anyway, one night after having taken one in preparation for a procedure the following morning, I gave my cat his prednisone. An hour later he was stumbling around barely able to hold himself up. I panicked thinking he was having a stroke and dying. I started crying. That is... until he wobbled over to the dog that he usually avoids like the plague, flopped over on his side, and started playing with and licking her.Benzo Kitty was happy.But I still feel awful about it.Edit to add: moral is, no flipping way someone should take those things before or during work. No way.