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“In Illinois, the licensing boardhopes that the pharmacist will be able to keep their license.
Our focus is on w ellness and sobri ety. We want to h elpthe individualget back to work.”
—RussellRomano,IlllinoisProfessionalsHealthProgram
treatment,Crossexplained.The longer an Help someone find help
impaired pharmacistworks,thehigherthe
risk posed to the public. Perhapsacolleagueorco-workeris “It’sjustaWebsite
Today, pharmacistsmay seek help demonstratingbehaviorsthatsugge st orphonenumbera way,”
voluntarily. By d oingso,apharmacist shows anaddiction.Ifyou’reconcernedabout saidCarlErdmann,
initiative.When itcomestime forlicense acolleague,youcancontactarecovery chairmanoftheIndiana
reviewbythestateboardthis istaken into programinyourstatetolearnhowto PharmacistsRecovery
consideration,along with compliance with
broachthesubject. Network.“Youarenotrecoverysteps.
“Don’tcloseyoureyestotheproblem,” alone.”Apharmacist also canbereferred by Erdmann
saidRussellRomanooftheIllinois Treatmentprogramsthe boardofpharmacyfor help beginning
recovery,according toCarol Dunham, ProfessionalsHealthProgram.“Many andservicesinb othstatesoperate
aliaisonwiththeIndianaPharmacists expressgratitudewhenchallengedb y confidentially.Pharmacistswhoen terthe
Alliance. someoneelse.Manysaytheywouldnot programvoluntarilyandengagein the
“InIllinois,thelicensingboard hopesthat havegottentreatmentotherwise.” recoveryprocessarenotcontactedbythe
thepharmacist willbeable to keep their Forsomeonewhohasaproblem,there statepharmacyboard.
license,”said RussellRomanoofI llinois ishelpavailable.
Professionals Health Program.“Ou rfocus
is on wellness and sobriety. We w anttohelp
theindividualgetbacktowork.”
Symptoms and issues | Addictionisa
progressivedisease,sosymptomscanchange
or become moredifficultovertime.
“A pharmacist withanaddictionma y
displayobvious symptoms,
suchasalcoholon their
breath,bloodshoteyes,
repeated frequent mistakes
and slurred speech,” Indiana Pharmacists RecoveryNetwork Illinois Professionals Health Program
Dunham said. (317)624-4401 (847)795-2875
Pharmacists rarelyuse
www.prnindiana.com www.iphp.medem.comillegaldrugs,butsomeDunham
canbecome addicted to
alcoholor commonpharmaceuticalslike
hydrocodone.Pharmacists might opttouse to attendAlcoholics Through the Resurrectionprogram,
pharmaceuticals theycanaccessreadily. Anonymous meetings in pharmacistsareincluded in decisions about
“Theyrarelyobtaindrugsfrom anyplace the neighborhood.While their treatment.
buttheirworksetting,”Crosssaid. Resurrectionisn’t affiliated “It’simportant to understandthatthe
Once help is sought,theprocess can with AA,the supportgroup pharmacistwants to be both safeand
includean evaluationbyanaddictionologist playsabigpartinthe successfulinthe workplace,”Cross said.
to determine the extent ofimpairment and recoveryprocess. “Wehelp the pharmacist determinehow
Crossto design an appropriate treatment plan. “AtResurrection,we wellthe workplacelendsitself tobuilding in
developacontract with pharmacists before safeguards that protectthe individualfrom
theyleave,”Cross said.“Itrecommends relapse.”Treatment –what to expect | Indiana
randomurine screenings twotothree Cross emphasized that when given theand Illinois pharmacistscanbereferredto
timeseachmonth,attendance atthree AA opportunitytorecover, pharmacistsareResurrectionHealthCareforresidential
meetings everyweekandweeklycontact with extremelysuccessful.treatment.Living inanapartmentnear
anAAsponsor.” “Irecentlyasked mypharmacist aftercarethetreatment center,thepharmacist might
InIndianaandIllinois,pharmacists are group what theywouldsaytoapharmacistreceivecareforfourto eight weeks.
encouraged to attend aCaduceus aftercare introuble,”hesaid.“Theyunanimouslysaid,Cross said visiting thetreatmentcenter
group,Cross said.In this case,the caduceus ‘Callthe help line andaskfor help —youduring the dayandlivingnearbyhelpsthe
symbolizes recoverygroups formedical willnotbe sorry.’”●pharmacistmaintainalevelofindependence.
professionals.In the evening,they’re encouraged
6 •Indiana / Illinois Pharmacy Quarterly ∼ Fall 2008 1ST
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