Nurse Suspected Of Being Under The Influence At Wilkes-Barre Hospital

With all the talk of heroin, opiates, and other illegal narcotics that are being used sometimes we don't hear the horrible effects of alcoholism.  Alcohol has the ability to do the same damage as any other drug.

On February 4th, a nurse at a local hospital in Wilkes-Barre is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol during a surgical procedure.  He admitted that he was drinking while he was on call to local authorities.  His duties during surgery include prepping the patient, monitoring vital signs, and documenting the procedure in their computer system.  The nurse was seen on video surveillance stumbling out of his car and bumping into things.

Whether this particular man suffers from alcoholism is unknown to us.  What we are simply stating is that alcohol, the most abused drug in the country, also has the capability of wreaking havoc on people's lives.

The disease of addiction doesn't discriminate either.  Whether you are a nurse, doctor, lawyer, or unemployed for that matter; alcoholism does not care.  In the medical profession, addiction presents its issues in people that are suffering from talking about it.  We wrote an article (click HERE) about the medical profession and the damaging effects it has.  Many people won't say anything about their addiction because of employment issues.  With licensing an issue, many people will not report that they have a problem until it's too late.  This recent case may be an example of that.

We don't harbor any judgement against this nurse.  If addiction to alcohol is a problem we understand why someone would do this.  It is because the alcoholic while drinking has no choice in whether they drink or don't drink.  It is not someone's intentions to put their life and other's lives in jeopardy.  The problem is that the person isn't the one calling the shots.  Alcoholism is and cannot be fought alone.

Again, it does not matter who you are.  If you are struggling or a loved one is struggling with alcoholism you need help.  Clearbrook has served as a Pennsylvania alcohol rehab for decades.  We operate a Pennsylvania alcohol detox and treatment program that can enable the person drinking a new life. Please call our admissions department 24/7 at 1.800.582.6241.

Clearbrook- Our Beginning

Thank you Clearbrook. Thank you for starting a new life for me and countless others. The dedication you have shown to your patients in unwavering. I never believed that I could have friends again. Everyone was sick of my "I'm sorrys", "I won't do that again", and "It's your fault".

That's why we talk about the fellowship of AA. The people that make up AA are a vital part of our sobriety. When we go to a drug and alcohol rehab like Clearbrook, the fellowship starts there. We now have finally found some people who know what our problems are. At first the problem is what we use for a solution. That solution is our alcohol and drugs. The real problem lies within us. The way we think and then act on those thoughts is the problem. Booze and drugs were our only answer to our problems. WE HAVE A NEW WAY OUT, THANK GOD.

How has the fellowship of AA/NA pulled you up and out to a productive life?

Daily Gratitude:

I am grateful for the pain that brought me to my knees. Today I will remember the pain brought on by alcohol and drugs. I pray that I treasure the result of my pain.

Facing Issues Head-On

It’s easy for us to run away from things. It’s easy to push people away especially the ones who don’t enable us. When things don’t go the way we want, we disappear emotionally and physically. When things get difficult we leave. In the heart of our addiction we don’t know how to face anything. Most of the time we can’t even face ourselves.
After we finally decide to get sober we look back on all of the running we did. At first we may feel guilt and shame but it is actually something we can be grateful for. We can now look back and know that now that we are in recovery and have chosen to be responsible for ourselves, we have a great example of how not to act. It is a great example of who we aren’t anymore and who we never want to be again. It shows us how we have grown. We are not the person we used to be when we were using.
We have learned that just because it is easier to run away, doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. Now that we are sober and working the steps we can face things that we would have never faced in our active addiction. To be able to face things with strength and integrity is truly a gift to forever be grateful for.
In case you didn’t know:
The use of illegal drugs among Americans increased between 2008 and 2009 according to a national survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) shows the overall rate of current illegal drug use in the United States rose from 8.0 percent of the population aged 12 and older in 2008 to 8.7 percent in 2009. This rise in overall drug use was driven in large part by increases in marijuana use.

The First Step

We admitted we were powerless over alcohol-that our lives had become unmanageable.


This is how it starts in the rooms of alcoholics anonymous. The word we appears two times in the first three words. What a comfort that brings when the fog clears and we realize that of ourselves we are nothing and that with the help of others we can recover from this state of hopelessness. For so many years many of us have been in the prison of alcoholism and never knowing why are lives were shaped the way they were. The first step if taken with 100% belief and acceptance can start the road to a purposeful and meaningful life. It can get us out of that prison, allow us to move on to the remaining eleven steps. Many times in the rooms of AA you will hear there are no must dos. To stay sober you must not drink. That first drink is the drink that starts the ball rolling down hill not the last one.


Clearbrook Treatment Centers is an alcohol rehab in Pennsylvania. We are offering help and promising hope.