AANA Peer Assistance Advisors' Recommendations for Reentry of Anesthesia Professionals or Students with Chemical Dependency 

Successful reentry to the anesthesia workplace is possible with supportive colleagues and an established department policy (see Model Reentry Contract under Model Policies). Monitoring the recovery of nurse anesthetists and other healthcare professionals with a history of substance misuse and chemical dependency requires a well-informed reentry plan (see Substance Abuse Policies for Anesthesia under Model Policies). The following is intended to provide information and education concerning these issues.  If you have any questions, please contact a Peer Assistance Advisor. 

Based on over 25 years of experience with CRNAs, the AANA Peer Assistance Advisors (PAAs) recommend that a good starting place for reentry is:

1. Minimum of one year out of the clinical anesthesia arena
2. Meeting the Talbott criteria for reentry
   • Supportive spouse/significant other
   • No untreated psychological comorbidities
   • Acceptance of the chronicity of chemical dependency
   • Grounded in the recovery community (sponsor, etc.)
   • Supportive worksite/department for reentry
3. Willing to commit to monitoring for a minimum of five years
4. Willing to take naltrexone where the addictionologist has deemed it appropriate
5. Willing to participate in toxicology screening on a random basis
6. Has supportive colleagues at the worksite familiar with history and needs.  
7. PAAs do not support opioid replacement therapy (ORT) for return to clinical practice

See also: AANA Peer Assistance Advisors' Recommendations for the Treatment of the Disease of Addiction in Anesthesia Professionals and Students

Reentry Resources  

• Reentry Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 
  
• NBCRNA CE Refresher Program 
  
• Council on Recertification 
  
• Recovering Nurses
  
• Reentry into the Work Place 
  
• Article - Angres DH, Bettinardi-Angres K, Cross W. Nurses with Chemical Dependency: Promoting Successful Treatment and Reentry. J Nurs Regul. 2010;1(1):16-20.
  
• Article -  Wilson H, Compton M. Reentry of the Addicted Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist: A Review of the Literature.  Journal of Addictions Nursing. December 2009;20(4):177-184.
• Article - Reentry Using Naltrexone: One anesthesia department's experience 
  Management Briefs, AANA Journal, August 1998.
• Are You In Recovery from Alcohol or Drug Problems Know Your Rights - Information brochure from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment www.samhsa.gov 
• Recovery Maintenance Workbook for Nurses and Health Care Professionals 

In the book A Professional Study and Resource Guide for the CRNA , two of the chapters are dedicated to Peer Assistance. These chapters were written by Diana Quinlan, CRNA, MA, and include the following exerpted information on reentry to the workplace:

www.AANAPeerAssistance.com