The number of nurses with chemical dependencies is rapidly escalating. Nurse executives recognize the problems that can occur for chemically dependent nurses and the people for whom they care. As a result, nurse executives must create policies and procedures to deal with the problem of impaired nurses. The author presents qualitative field research describing the process nurses go through as they become addicted to chemicals. The data will help nurse executives gain a greater understanding of chemical dependency so that they can better plan management interventions.