The Historical Context of Addiction in the Nursing Profession: 1850–1982

Intertwined in the history of substance abuse in the United States is the history of addiction in the nursing profession. This historical research explores the context of addiction in the nursing profession with reference to social, medical, political, and legal events from 1850 until the American Nurses' Association officially acknowledged addiction in the nursing profession in 1982 with guidelines for the impaired nurse. Prior to these guidelines colleagues looked the other way hoping the nurse would solve the problem by herself or if not, just leave. If caught, punitive action was taken. Nurses lost their licenses, their source of income (meaning no resources for rehabilitation treatment), and often went to jail.