Taboo in Nursing

As a nurse, I know addiction is taboo. It’s an area that invites judgment and suspicion. Because of that, addicted nurses feel—and are—trapped.

We lose our careers, our self-respect, our pride, our hope, and often, our lives.

I was this nurse.

I’m a recovering addict (meth/heroin/alcohol/benzos). Anything to quiet the internal pain. We care for others, but not for ourselves or one another. So f*ck Maslow, right?

Nurses often function in the “Suck it up, buttercup” mindset. Trust me—we will suck it up… in the form of drugs and alcohol.

The opposite of addiction is human connection. When is it that we’ll reconnect? I’m here to promote and advocate for the change we need to see in healthcare.

We matter too, nurses.

WE. MATTER. TOO.

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📖 Heroine: Decide & Conquer

Coming September 27, 2025

“It’s a culture that eats its own. No wonder so many nurses become addicts. We numb the pain… Drugs quiet the screams inside.”