Anesthetists in Recovery (AIR) 

AIR is a national moderated virtual community of CRNAs and student nurse anesthetist in (or in need of) recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). AIR is an organization involved with both education and networking to help one another achieve and maintain sobriety/clean time and reach out to those who still suffer.  Members can post at their personal comfort level of sharing. It is absolutely confidential and anonymous without affiliation to any organization, including the AANA; no reporting function with any certifying or licensure body.

 AIR - for info and to join 

or call Larry 435-901-1197 or Bridget 203-996-1322

New! COVID-19 - Virtual Support Options  

One of the restrictions of social distancing is cancelled in-person support meetings. Here's some virtual options to safely support your recovery:

• 12Step.org Online Meetings and Podcast Recovery
• Adult Children of Alcoholics
• Al Anon
• Alcoholics Anonymous Online Meeting Directory
• Behavioral Addictions Support Information
• Buddist - Recovery Dharma Online
• Cocaine Anonymous Online Meetings
• Gambler's Support
• In The Rooms Global Recovery Community
• Narcotics Anonymous Meetings Search
• Open Recovery Chat
• Overeaters Anonymous
• Smart Recovery Online Meetings and Events
• The Addiction Recovery Guide - online guide

For all other COVID-19 information see www.AANA.com/COVID-19 

In Person AIR Meetings

At each AANA meeting, AIR moderators hold an 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. Please check each meeting's program for date/time. 

AIR meetings are also encouraged for every state nurse anesthesia association meeting.

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)

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.

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.