Day in and day out, you fill prescriptions for customers, and sometimes it may seem like they do not appreciate the work you do to help them recover. Does the complaining, lack of communication and pressure feel never-ending?
Stress can cause loss of concentration, irritability and problems with decision making. Drugs that could take away that stress surround you while you work. Is there a temptation to try one? Before you head down that road, ask for help. There are resources in Pennsylvania just for this.
What is SARPH?
Secundum Artem Reaching Pharmacists with Help is a nonprofit organization approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy to help pharmacists and pharmacy students manage substance abuse and mental health disorders.
What are the goals of SARPH?
Along with SARPH’s mission to advocate and provide help, it has several goals that, besides benefiting the pharmacist community, also assist the public. Some of these goals are:
- Protect the public from a pharmacist who has an unsafe practice
- Increase awareness of issues affecting pharmacists, students, and interns
- Monitor pharmacists and interns in recovery
If you believe you have a substance abuse issue, you can request help from SARPH without involving the State Board of Pharmacy as long as there are no legal charges and no one has confronted you about impairment at work.
Knowing that SARPH is available if you believe you have a drug abuse problem may keep you from losing your license and prevent you from damaging your professional reputation and personal relationships.