Nurses may hesitate to seek help when alcohol or drug use veers towards addiction, but the NMC urges registrants not to ignore a problem

With workplace demands, occupational stress and burnout on the rise, researchers have warned that nursing staff are being left more vulnerable to serious health issues, including addiction. As nurses struggle to cope with professional expectations, traumatic work events and toxic environments, some may resort to harmful behaviours to self-manage stress, poor mental health or trauma.