During this work the committee identified several nurse
populations who have a high risk of substance abuse relapse and
who therefore need stringent assessment, treatment, and monitoring.
These populations include nurses being treated with prescription
drugs, such as analgesics, anxiolytics, antidepressants,
and other potentially mind-altering drugs for such conditions
as chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and addiction. This article addresses the regulatory management of practicing nurses in this population; that is, nurses with the dual challenge of having a substance use disorder and a medical need for prescription medications that may lead to relapse.