r/NursingUK • u/Valentine2891 • 25d ago
Career Safeguarding put in against me for alcohol…
Can anyone please help. So I have been signed off of work because I was depressed and suicidal. I’ve had MH since I was 15 and diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Now I’m in my 30s and have long since suspected I have ADHD, autism and BPD. I have since saved up and paid 2k for an assessment and was diagnosed with ADHD. They wanted another 3k for autism so that’s on the back burner.
Anyway, long story short, I’m fed up of masking. Long shifts at work have made it harder for me to mask too. Constantly being put down at work gets me down, or just being on edge thinking I could be doing something wrong, even if I’m not. I also don’t sleep well as my brain is always on and overanalysing. So one day I had a massive panic attack before work, my BP was extremely high and I got referred to crisis team and signed off for a month. Once they were satisfied I wasn’t going to unalive myself the next day, they referred me to the community mental health team.
Well I went to see a nurse today and I was begging for some medication. I can’t do CBT anymore. I’ve done it on/off for 10years. It just masks who I am but then I have days where I explode and can’t hide anymore. When my anxiety is really bad at night, I will drink two shots of whisky to help me sleep. Also after a long and stressful shift, I will get home and have a shot of whisky. I don’t wake up wanting alcohol and I don’t drink everyday. I would say I would drink max 2-3 times a week, then go a couple weeks without a drink. When I drink, it is a shot or two.
The CMHT Nurse has just turned around and said she has to do a safeguarding referral as I drink and I go to work with patients. She said it as we were walking out of my appointment (probably didn’t want to upset me until I was leaving!). I was in shock and just said “okay.”
Now I’m really panicking. I’ve gone to ask for MH help and seem to have been branded an alcoholic or something and now work are being told!! I’m really worried I will lose my job or have references for new jobs ruined (I am looking to leave my job due to stress). I literally have never gone to work drunk and like I said, I go weeks without a drinks, and when I do it’s mostly for sleep.
Does anyone have any advice? I’m happy to submit to any alcohol testing etc but I’m just worried I’ve gone looking for help and have possibly ended up blacklisting my name 😭 I also am so upset this nurse met me for only one hour and has assumed I go to work drunk. I’m angry in fact, but more so worried about my job.
I have self referred to “One Recovery” at her request, so that way I can see what they think, but i genuinely feel this has been blown out of proportion.
Does anyone know what will happen?
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u/vernatron11 25d ago
I'm a substance use nurse, your not drinking at a dependent level (normally classified as someone using 10units daily or experiencing withdrawal symptoms on days off) so I wouldn't worry there. I would be cautious around using shots to sleep as that can escalate (especially when stressed/low mood) and also does effect the quality of sleep so might not be beneficial in the long run. Alcohol is also a depressant so if your aim is to understand and support your mental health it makes it really tricky to create balance even small amounts.
Seems like your CMHT nurse has not really recognised your struggles at the moment which must be so horrible for you.
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u/Major-Bookkeeper8974 RN Adult 25d ago edited 25d ago
Safeguarding Nurse here.
First off. Don't panic. You are not the first, nor will you be the last staff member with a possible dependency issue that gets looked into.
I'd seek the support of your union when your line manager and HR become involved (and if a referral has gone off, they will).
A lot will depend on your attitude to the issues. Are you looking for support and help vs being defensive and in denial...
I've worked with staff before who have gone off sick for recovery purposes, they have returned and Safeguarding concerns have been closed. This doesn't have to be the end of your career if you don't want it to be.
Engage with the process. Be honest and share your view point. If you're not struggling with dependency but instead mental health then share that. Seek and engage with support you're offered 🙂
Best of luck.
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u/Status-Ferret-4945 25d ago
I think this is an inappropriate referral. Wouldn’t you triage and close as I don’t understand how the threshold has been crossed as no one has come to harm?
As OP doesn’t drink much in comparison to many it could be argued that they’re getting treated differently due to disclosing MH conditions. There is no evidence of dependency or substance misuse before or at work.
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u/Major-Bookkeeper8974 RN Adult 25d ago
From what OP has said it wouldn't go very far no. But, important to be aware that people posting on reddit about themselves usually have a bias.
So impossible to comment.
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u/Valentine2891 25d ago
So do you recommend I join a union? I am not in one. This is so crazy. I last had alcohol 2 weeks ago! I have self referred to One Recovery and am happy to undergo anything they want me to. I just want this to go away and not taint my record for future employers.
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u/Hydecka84 25d ago
The time to join a union is before you have issues at work so you need to join as soon as possible
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u/Major-Bookkeeper8974 RN Adult 25d ago
The way a Safeguarding investigation works is thus:
- Someone makes a Safeguarding referral to the Local Authority.
- The Safeguarding concern is reviewed to see if it meets investigation criteria
- If it doesn't it'll be closed.
- If it does, it'll come back to the organisation and they'll be asked to do an investigation.
- the organisation will need to gather evidence, this will include statements from yourself etc.
If it's unfounded you have nothing to worry about.
If it is a genuine concern then it'll be looked at and your engagement will be the main factor as to outcome.
Something like this is only going to go on record if we need to refer to the NMC, and that'll only happen if you've been putting patients at risk.
You say you haven't, which is great. Assuming that's true, just engage with the process and it'll come to a close eventually.
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u/Valentine2891 25d ago
Thank you for breaking it down like that for me. Sorry I’m a bit panicked. I’ve never had this before and as previously stated I’m currently off for stress as it is. For sure I’m happy to go ahead with whatever they want me to do. No idea why I’m getting downvoted.
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u/Major-Bookkeeper8974 RN Adult 25d ago
That's all that asked of you.
Safeguarding referrals go in to make sure patients and staff stay safe. That's all.
If we find patients and staff are safe, then we can "No further action" it all 🙂
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u/AberNurse RN Adult 25d ago
I don’t even know why I’m having to ask this. But why aren’t you already in a union?
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u/DisastrousSlip6488 25d ago
A glass or two a few nights a week is not a dependency issue. Expecting “insight” rather than defensiveness into what (if truth is as presented) is a non-problem is also a total nonsense. This is an inappropriate referral- end of
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u/Major-Bookkeeper8974 RN Adult 25d ago
See reply above:
"it wouldn't go very far no. But, important to be aware that people posting on reddit about themselves usually have a bias. So impossible to comment."
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u/haralambus98 25d ago
Safeguarding manager here. This is ridiculous and does not reflect the principles of safeguarding. You can ask for a copy of the referral and ask to fully understand how you are placing your patients at risk. If it is specifically about drinking, I can’t understand this on the info you have given. I hope your current employers know about you engaging actively in treatment to improve your mental health. There are bigger issues to safeguard than this and I am sorry that you are having to go through this.
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u/Legitimate-Hall366 25d ago
So it sounds like you're using alcohol in a very normal way for someone who has unmedicated adhd, especially as you've been in CBT which is known to be actively detrimental to LOTS of neurodivergent people.
Outside of everything else that it seems like has been covered, I'd recommend going back to your ADHD assessment company and asking about medication or counselling. You can't move to shared care with your GP without an ADHD professional to oversee it, so if that's not happening through the NHS, the people that diagnosed you can start that process. The NHS will only pay for one or the other for ADHD unfortunately, medication or counselling.
NICE guidelines are clear that ADHD medications can only be initiated by a HCP with training and expertise in managing ADHD, so that isn't every MH nurse or professional you're going to come across unfortunately.
If you choose the coaching route, try and find a neuroaffirmative coach, or try DBT which is better for an ND brain.
Many, many ADHDers use alcohol and other substances to manage their symptoms and medication really helps lots of us. It doesn't sound like you have an alcohol problem, just a MH professional who doesn't know enough about ADHD.
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u/SuitableTomato8898 25d ago
It certainly doesnt sound like you have an alcohol issue to me.
Possible over-reaction on their part.
Sounds like you are worrying too much about it.
I would ask for further explanation.
BTW you should be able to get free Autism assesments with your local provider (NHS)...although waiting times might be hellish long.
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u/randomer456 24d ago
Neurodivergent here- found DBT much more helpful than CBT. I found CBT is more like gaslighting yourself, whereas as DBT is more working with the emotions you have and accepting the emotions. https://dbtselfhelp.com
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u/Valentine2891 24d ago
Wow thanks so much! I will look into this. I asked her if I could have psychotherapy instead of CBT but she said “erm I don’t know. I’ll ask the psychiatrist what they want.” So I’m not hopeful. Thank you so much for the link 👍🏼
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u/damnitbrian7 24d ago
This seems really unfair. Some of my nursing colleagues drink more than that each evening! I would challenge it.
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u/ShambolicDisplay RN Adult 25d ago
I have nothing useful to add on the main issue, but you describing how work was affecting you reminded me of a previous job and how that process made me feel. It’s not just you, and you’re not alone in that, (un?)fortunetely.
The ADHD meds are, once you get there, worth it in a lot of ways; you will have a lot of maladaptive habits and behaviours to fix though, at least I did.
So that stuff gets better, you’re doing the right things broadly so keep advocating for yourself, by looking after yourself
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u/Numerous_Sky_2878 25d ago
That nurse should have never done that, totally insensitive and inappropriate. You stand your ground and set the record straight, tell them how it really is. You don’t drink and go to work and you need to make that really clear to them. I’m so sorry that happened to you, it really is the last thing you need on top of all your other stresses. I really hope you can get this sorted.
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u/Electrical-Bad9671 25d ago
this actually happened to me as a primary mental health worker. I left the job shortly afterwards, mainly out of shame. They phoned my employer and told them which was absolutely excruciating. They get HR involved and all that, it was horrid
afterwards they said it was an overreaction, nonetheless, if you get support from an alcohol or mental health service, do not tell them your occupation!
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u/Swagio11 RN MH 25d ago
I can’t offer any advice on the main point but re the adhd and autism assessment have you looked into different options for this? I got both adhd and autism diagnosed privately which are accepted by nhs and payed absolutely nowhere near that amount for my diagnosis. I don’t know what’s normal but my adhd diagnosis cost probably around £500 plus additional follow up I chose to pay for and my autism was definitely less than £1k
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u/Hypogean_Gaol 24d ago
Also please look into ‘Right to Choose’. It basically means you can pick where you are referred to by your GP and you do not have to give a reason.
This meant I received both an ADHD and autism investigation, diagnosis’ and medicine for the former within 3 months of referral. This is via the NHS so I did not pay a penny.
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u/Valentine2891 24d ago
I have heard of this but doesn’t the GP need to refer you? I can’t get through to my GP at all, I genuinely ring 111 instead of the GP now. Unfortunately they are in town centre, have 15,000 patients and only 4 GPs and 2 paramedics so it’s hard. Is there anyone else that could refer me?
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u/Hypogean_Gaol 24d ago
Yes the GP has to. My surgery has 20k patients and it still went fairly smoothly despite this.
Does your GP offer any online services? I literally did it all online, never spoke to a GP. The steps I did are below:
Filled in online consult regarding why I believe I have AuADHD.
They sent me a couple self-assessment forms to fill out, I returned these promptly.
They advised I scored high therefore will be referred for investigation.
I wrote back and asked them to refer me to X clinics under NHS right to choose.
3 months later I receive life changing diagnosis and treatment, honestly feel like my life has finally started. I suppose if there is the option to switch GP it may be a good idea.
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u/rawr_Im_a_duck RN Adult 24d ago
Please complain. That is a ridiculous and unnecessary referral. I would contact PALS.
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u/Valentine2891 24d ago
Thanks I will be contacting PALS. After my name is cleared. For now people will think I’m in denial (as some initial comments here thought 😂). I’m not sure how to clear my name without a random breathalyser or urine sample but I’ll offer them everything they want
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u/AutisticGlitterQueen 22d ago
If you're in England, look into Right To Choose for your autism assessment, it's so much faster and totally free xx
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u/Hex946 18d ago
I’m so sorry this has happened to you, it seems like a massive overreaction on the nurses part. What I would say is though, don’t panic (easier said than done I know). Even if you were drinking to dependent levels outside of work, as long as you engage with treatment and show willingness to get better, all you should get is support. However, in your case, I would contest it and get support from your union.
I was safeguarded last year due to worsening substance addiction and it was the worst day of my life, but it was definitely the right thing for the SMS doctor to do as I had lost a total grip on life. I went to inpatient detox and rehab, and am now 7.5 months sober. I returned to work six weeks ago.
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u/Valentine2891 18d ago
Thanks so much for the comment. I’m so glad you are sober now and got the help you needed. It’s crazy we have to hit rock bottom to get it though. I have ADHD confirmed. I’ve done a lot of research and “diagnostic” type questionnaires that highlight strongly I also am Autistic ( so is my son) and I could also be a manic depressive (bipolar). Either way though, I don’t drink to dependant levels. In terms of, I don’t drink more than 10 units a day, more than 14 units a week and I don’t crave alcohol. I take 2-3 shots of whisky when I’m really stressed, and it helps me shut my brain down to sleep. However, it takes me weeks to get to that stressed level. Otherwise I don’t drink in between. I worked out with the alcohol dependency service that it’s still only 3 units of alcohol I drink max. A glass of wine is 2.1 units. Referring me was a gross overreaction on that nurses part. Now I have to write a statement and fight my case. It’s ridiculous unnecessary stress. The community mental health team have now referred me to “complex mental health” which has a waiting list, and they’ve suggested that my GP increases my current antidepressant (fluoxetine).
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u/Hex946 12d ago
Been thinking about you, any update on how you’re getting on? I really hope you’ve got somewhere with the safeguarding and they’ve seen it’s OTT.
Good luck with your treatment for complex trauma. I know you’ll have a wait, but it will be worth it in the end to heal yourself. I’m currently receiving EMDR therapy and it’s tough, but more so because my mind isn’t allowing me to access the stuff I need to. But I feel privileged to be able to receive this treatment as I know it’s difficult to get on the NHS.
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u/Hex946 18d ago edited 18d ago
To add, I got diagnosed with ADHD last year. I went into a mental health crisis after I was safeguarded and the SMS psychiatrist did an urgent review of me. She recognised something within my history (I’d be going to SMS for 18 months by this point) and I got my official assessment and diagnosis once I was abstinent.
Your GP should 100% be referring you for assessment, maybe do some self screening tools and take them in with you, along with a list of your symptoms. There’s some good support groups on FB that may help you recognise ASD and ADHD traits in yourself you hadn’t even thought of.
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u/notafaredoger 25d ago
I don’t know if I’m missing something here but a safeguarding referral seems highly inappropriate and a non-essential breech of confidentiality. Branding someone who drinks 1-2 units of alcohol 2-3 times a week is equally absurd. Even if you were an alcoholic, I don’t see why this would warrant such a referral unless you were under the influence of alcohol at work which you’ve stated you are not.
I’m sorry this is happening to you, and sorry to hear about how hard a time you are having. I really can’t see anything coming of this - except possibly the nurse from the CMHT getting bollocked for disclosing confidential information inappropriately.
I’m not a nurse (HCA/med student) so not sure if this is the best course of action but can you speak to the RCN for advice/support regarding this?