Approximately 5% of registered nurses are alcoholics and 3% are dependent on drugs (Epstein, P. M., Burns, C., & Conlon, H. A. 2010).
Approximately 10% of the nursing population has alcohol and drug abuse problems, and 6% has problems serious enough to interfere with their ability to practice. The American Nurses Association (ANA) estimated that 6%-8% (130,000 to 170,000) of nurses use alcohol or drugs to the extent that professional judgement is impaired. Impaired nursing practice is defined as a nurse’s inability to perform essential job functions because of chemical dependency on drugs or alcohol or mental illness (Talbert, J. 2009). Since the early 1970’s impairment has been studied among the nursing profession and has been linked to several factors. The first factor is family history. Nurses who have a family history of emotional impairment, alcoholism, drug use, or emotional abuse, resulting in low self-esteem, overwork, and overachievement, are at greater risk for using or abusing substances (Talbert, J.