‘Selling their souls?’ Nurses' understanding of addiction and recovery in acute hospital settings

Abstract

Background: Nursing disciplines do not currently have a shared understanding of addiction or recovery to address their contribution to their patients' needs. Recent developments of addiction nursing models, alongside an international move to standardise language, is slow to be reflected in nurses' perceptions in acute hospital settings. Aim: To explore nurses' understanding of addiction and recovery in acute general hospitals. Methods: A qualitative study with semi-structured open-ended questions informed by a prior literature review was undertaken with nurses working in an acute general hospital in Dublin, Ireland. Results: The identified themes were the knowledge of addiction, including physical and psychological needs, and the understanding of recovery, patient-centred services and the impact of the individual's environment. Conclusion: Standardising language for addiction and recovery and improving addiction education will give nurses a better understanding of the chronic nature of substance use and the importance of this in providing high-quality health care.