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Nicole Irmer | Posted in News,Substance Abuse on November 18, 2025
The medical field is both demanding and stressful. For some professions, it also comes with potential access to controlled substances. Given the pressure and trauma that many medical professionals deal with on a regular basis, it is perhaps not surprising that some turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Substance abuse can take many forms. It may involve substances, like alcohol, marijuana, or prescription medications, or illegal “street” drugs. If your licensing board learns that you may be abusing substances in a way that affects your ability to practice or that has resulted in criminal charges, then you could face disciplinary action. Any such allegations could lead to discipline, including a suspension or even revocation of your license.
At the Law Office of Nicole Irmer, we understand the overwhelming amount of stress that many healthcare professionals face. We treat each of our clients with compassion and respect while working hard to help them get the best possible outcome for the allegations against them. If you are facing disciplinary action from your licensing board, contact our law firm to schedule a confidential consultation with a California healthcare license defense attorney.
The healthcare field poses unique challenges for professionals. Jobs in the medical field often require years of advanced education and high standards for licensure. These positions also come with long and often irregular working hours, plus the reality of dealing with many traumatic situations. Many healthcare professionals also deal with physical pain and exhaustion after spending shifts on their feet and/or engaging in demanding tasks.
Due to these demands, unfortunately some professionals turn to alcohol and/or drugs to cope. According to one study, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are 10 to 15% more likely to develop substance use disorder compared to other professions. In any given year, as many as 100,000 medical professionals have a substance or alcohol abuse problem.
Substance abuse can take many forms. For some healthcare professionals, alcohol is their drug of choice. Even though alcohol is legal, it is still an addictive substance. It may not seem like a big deal to have a few beers or glasses of wine after a long shift, but over time, it can become more than a habit. For some, it may also lead to unexpected criminal charges for things like driving under the influence (DUI).
Other medical professionals may struggle with prescription drug abuse. This can include abusing benzodiazepines (like Xanax) to opioids (such as Fentanyl or Oxycodone) to stimulants (like Ritalin). Many healthcare workers have an easier time getting access to prescription medications, whether it is through writing a prescription for themselves (or asking a colleague to do it for them) or diverting medication intended for patients.
Some healthcare workers struggle with addiction to illicit or “street” drugs. Even in California, where both medical and recreational marijuana is legal, abusing THC products can still be a problem for medical professionals. Others may turn to illegal drugs like heroin, cocaine, or meth after developing an addiction to prescription medications.
Whatever form it takes, substance abuse disorder can have a serious impact on your life, your family, and your ability to work. It also presents a major patient safety issue. Even if you are not actively using at work, the quality of your work will almost certainly be affected if you are spending your time off in the throes of addiction.
In theory, state licensing boards shouldn’t have a say when it comes to what you do when you are not at work. In practice, if you are using drugs and/or alcohol when you aren’t at work, there is a good chance that it will spill over into your working day. This is particularly true if you are actively addicted to drugs and/or alcohol.
Despite your best efforts, your off-duty drug and/or alcohol use will almost certainly impact your work as a healthcare professional. You might come into work hungover or still a bit intoxicated after a long night of drinking. You might have been unable to fall asleep because you were partying with stimulant medications, leaving you drained and exhausted. You might even feel so poorly that you cross boundaries that you set for yourself and use while you are at work.
A licensing board may pursue disciplinary action for substance abuse issues in certain situations. This may include things like:
In some situations, a disciplinary action may be brought for an issue that is related to – but not directly about – substance abuse. For example, if you are overly tired and/or hungover, then you might make a mistake while caring for a patient. This could lead to an allegation of gross misconduct. Similarly, not being at your physical and mental best may cause you to make charting or practice errors.
Importantly, it does not matter if you are using a substance that is legal. Even if you have a prescription for a particular medication, your licensing board can still investigate and pursue disciplinary action against you if your use of that drug is affecting your ability to safely practice. The same is true for over-the-counter medications, alcohol, and marijuana. The legality of the substance does not impact the board’s ability to discipline a licensee for abusing it.
There are many different situations that could trigger a board investigation into substance abuse. A patient or coworker might file a complaint because you appeared to be under the influence while on the job, or you may have a positive test result on a random drug screen. In other cases, a complaint comes from a law enforcement agency after an arrest related to drugs or alcohol, or from a complaint into irregularities involving medications at your job.
If you are contacted by a board investigator regarding a complaint about substance abuse, you should not talk to them, give a statement, or sign any paperwork until you have had a chance to talk to a lawyer. Absolutely anything that you say to the investigator could potentially be used against you in both board disciplinary action and any related criminal prosecution.
Instead, you should reach out to our law offices to schedule a consultation. We can help you understand your rights and your options when it comes to defending against an investigation and/or disciplinary action related to substance abuse. We can also handle all communications with your licensing board while developing a strategy to deal with the allegations.
There is often a thin line between partaking in a particular substance and having an active addiction. Our law firm can recommend experts who can help you refute allegations of chemical dependency. This may include setting up chemical testing and/or a psychological evaluation to rule out substance abuse.
Even if you don’t believe that you suffer from chemical dependency, any allegations of substance abuse relating to your work as a healthcare professional can lead to disciplinary action. For example, you might only drink alcohol occasionally, but if you are charged with a DUI, it will still lead to an inquiry as to whether disciplinary action is warranted. That is why it is important to address the issue directly.
As experienced healthcare license defense lawyers, we understand licensing boards concerns, and help you to individually strategize appropriate mitigation evidence and document rehabilitation efforts. We can help you find professional counseling to deal with any issues that you may be struggling with, such as anxiety, depression, and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
When appropriate, we can also work with you to find a suitable rehab and/or substance abuse program to help you on the path towards recovery. Even if you do not believe that you have a problem, proactively taking these steps can have a big impact when it comes to how your case is resolved.
Some licensing boards, such as the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), offer diversionary programs. These programs offer the opportunity to have the complaint or Accusation dismissed upon successful completion. However, these programs tend to be incredibly invasive, and if you do not complete them, you will still have to deal with the disciplinary matter. Our healthcare license defense attorneys can help you decide if a diversion program is a good idea given your situation.
Allegations related to substance abuse can lead to serious disciplinary action. The exact outcome will depend on the nature of the allegations, but it can include a range from a citation or more formal disciplinary action such as a public reprimand to probation to license suspension or revocation. The best way to protect your license and your livelihood is by working with a seasoned California healthcare professional license defense attorney.
Substance abuse disorder is more widely recognized as a medical condition than ever before. Even so, if your substance abuse affects your work as a healthcare professional, then it could lead to disciplinary action. Our law firm can work with you to put together a multi-pronged defense to the allegations against you.
At the Law Office of Nicole Irmer, we understand how the stress and pressure of working in the medical field is often linked to poor coping mechanisms like substance abuse. If you are facing a complaint, criminal charges, or an Accusation related to drugs and/or alcohol, we will develop a strategy to protect your rights. To learn more or to schedule a confidential consultation, give us a call at (619) 237-6130 or click here to schedule a consultation.