Addiction Treatment for Nurses, Doctors and Lawyers in Texas: How Peer Assistance Programs Work

For a nurse, a physician or a lawyer, a drinking or drug problem comes with a second fear on top of the first: what happens to my license? That fear keeps a lot of licensed professionals from asking for help until a mistake at work forces the issue.

Texas has programs built for exactly this situation. Each one is designed to get a professional into treatment and back to safe practice, and each one can be contacted confidentially. Here is how they work, and where treatment fits.

Can a nurse get help without being reported to the Board of Nursing?

Often, yes. Texas law gives impaired nurses a path through peer assistance instead of discipline. Under Section 301.410 of the Texas Occupations Code, a person who is required to report a nurse who is impaired, or suspected of being impaired, by chemical dependency or mental illness may report to a Board-approved peer assistance program instead of reporting to the Board of Nursing.

There is one important limit. If the person believes the impaired nurse committed a practice violation, the law says they must report to the Board.

What is TPAPN?

The Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses (TPAPN) is that peer assistance program. It is run by the Texas Nurses Foundation in cooperation with the Texas Board of Nursing, and it provides early identification, support, monitoring, accountability and advocacy for nurses with a substance use or mental health condition.

A few things worth knowing:

• Anyone can refer a nurse, including the nurse themselves. You do not have to wait for an employer to act.
• Peer support is built in.Participants are matched with other nurses who serve as peer support partners.
• Help with cost exists.TPAPN says the Texas Nurses Foundation offers grants for the initial evaluation to participants who demonstrate financial need.

What about physicians and other medical professionals?

The Texas Physician Health Program (TXPHP) provides confidential early intervention, assessment, treatment referral and post-treatment monitoring for health professionals licensed by the Texas Medical Board. That includes physicians, physician assistants, respiratory care practitioners, surgical assistants, acupuncturists and medical students, among others.

TXPHP accepts self-referrals, as well as referrals from third parties and from the Texas Medical Board itself.

Is there a program for lawyers?

Yes. The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program (TLAP) offers confidential support around the clock for lawyers, judges and law students dealing with substance use or mental health concerns. TLAP connects people with recommended therapists, peer support from other lawyers, aftercare support and, through a lawyer-funded trust, funding for treatment.

Do these programs provide treatment?

No. These programs assess, refer, support and monitor. The treatment itself happens with a provider. A program may recommend a level of care, such as medical detox, residential treatment or intensive outpatient therapy, and then monitor your progress during and after it.

That is where a treatment center comes in. If you have been referred, or you are thinking about calling one of these programs, it helps to understand the options:

• Medical detox manages withdrawal safely, with 24-hour care.
• Residential treatment is Nova’s 90-day program on its campus in Wimberley, outside Austin.
• Intensive outpatient (IOP) offers structured therapy while you live at home, and online IOP can fit around a schedule when attending in person is not possible.

Our article on outpatient treatment for busy professionals covers when outpatient care can work.

Will asking for help end my career?

Asking for help early is usually the best protection for both your patients or clients and your license. Each of these programs exists to get professionals into treatment and back to safe practice. The longer a problem goes unaddressed, the more likely it is to surface through a mistake, a complaint or an arrest, and that path tends to carry far more serious consequences.

Every situation is different. If you have questions about your license specifically, the program for your profession can explain how its process works for you.

When you are ready to talk

Nova’s admissions team answers 24 hours a day, and the first conversation is free and confidential. The team can explain what each level of care involves and help you think through what fits your situation. You can also verify your insurance online in a few minutes.

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