Please Help-Questions

Long story short. Im a nurse in Pennsylvania. I had diverted Dilaudid 7-8x using the override function on the Pyxis Machine. I was confronted by my nurse manager and was honest about what i did. They told me it was necessary to report to the state but they did not think charges would be filed. I entered in the voluntary recovery program and am currently in intensive outpatient. I've been clean for 30 days now.

Today i recieved a call from the attorney generals office and they stated I was being charged with misdemeanor theft. Im thankful it's not a felony charge but this is really testing my recovery/sobriety. If anyone has answers/suggestions to the following questions, please post them for me.

1- Is it necessary to have a lawyer? I'm in financial crisis as is and adding lawyer fees is not what i need right now?

2- Does this affect my participation in VRP?

3- How does this affect trying to get a job in the future? My former employer said they'd allow me to interview when deemed OK by the state.

4- What kind of fines/court costs am i looking at?

Thank you in advance. I'll probably be spending the rest of the day in NA/AA to ensure I don't pick up because the urge is extremely strong right now. I knew I had a long road ahead of me, but it feels each gain I make is met with more bad news. Thanks again.

Please get in touch with your sponsor immediately. You should never face criminal proceeedings or have anything to do with the Board without having consulted a lawyer. Contact the local referral service or the local chapter of the Bar and ask for a "modest means" referral. They usually will give you a 30 minute free consultation and then low fee visits afterward ($25 or so). Other questions will be answered as time goes on. Maybe someone who has had a similar experience can offer their experiences. Good luck with your proceedings and with your sobriety.

Thanks for responding. I didnt pick up thank god. Just got back from a couple meetings and had myself a huge cheesesteak instead of drinking/drugging. I know cheesesteaks aren't the best option but they'll do for now. The anxiety level has lowered a bit and I'm feeling better. Hell, I did what I did and this is my pennance. The sentence "Other questions will be answered as time goes on" helps. I've learned alot about myself this past 30 days. I have to accept that keeping me clean is priority #1 and to let things fall as they may from there. Thanks again.

I am in the same situation as you right now. Maybe we can support each other. I did get a lawyer and I will keep you updated on what happens, we havent gone before the judge yet. e-mail me if you need to, but most importantly, stay clean.