Anesthetists in Recovery (AIR) 

Anesthetists in Recovery (AIR) is a national network of nurse anesthetists who are in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). AIR is an organization involved with both education and networking for reasons of peer assistance.  It is absolutely confidential and anonymous and has no affiliation with any other organization, including the AANA. AIR has no reporting function with any certifying or licensure body.

The AIR moderated virtual community consists of CRNAs and student nurse anesthetists who are in recovery or need of recovery from SUD. The primary purpose is to help one another achieve and maintain sobriety/clean time and reach out to the student nurse anesthetist/CRNA that still suffers. Members can post at whatever level of sharing they are comfortable with. 

• AIR - for info and to join or call Larry 435-901-1197 or Bridget 203-996-1322

The AIR link is to external sites, which are provided as a convenience and do not imply endorsement. AANA Health and Wellness/Peer Assistance is not responsible for any content on the AIR site but hopes that the resource can help support your sobriety and well-being. 

Articles and video about AIR:

• AIR, Chemical Dependency in the Profession by Carlos Ratliff, CRNA
• Saving Lives: AIR/PAIR by Anita Bertrand, CRNA, MS
• Video from the Wearing Masks video series: Support: Anesthetists in Recovery (AIR)

At each Annual meeting, AIR moderators hold a Touched by Addiction (open AIR) meeting on site and welcome all the attend. The purpose is to provide support to all who have been "touched by addiction" and introduce participants to the power of 12 Step Recovery.  Touched by Addiction meetings are also encouraged for every state nurse anesthesia association meeting.

Members of AIR agree 

Members of AIR agree with the American Medical Association (AMA) definition that chemical dependency is a primary, psychosocial, and biogenetic disease. The symptoms of the disease are cunning and baffling as is the disease itself. 

Although there is no cure for addiction, there can be lifelong remission contingent on:

• Prompt detection
• Intervention
• Treatment
• Adherence to aftercare program involving 12-step groups, peer support groups, and carefully timed re-entry into the anesthesia profession.
• Re-entry must be structured with tools such as back-to-work contracts.  

There are recovering anesthetists working as disciplined professionals all over the country today, who are grateful to be in recovery.