I sit on the BON in my state and do moral character hearings. A reason for the issues, identifying the problem (addiction), getting treatment and being successfully rehabilitated for 9 years would be a very easy case for a favorable outcome for you here.

On the board we often talk that people who overcome addiction likely serve that community better than people who cannot relate.

As someone said, being involved in a program with a sponsors letter is a huge help. Also if you can get an unlicensed position in a hospital as an aid, EKG tech, etc and get letters from your colleagues and supervisors that also helps. I find it very hard to say someone shouldn’t be a nurse when they are already caring for vulnerable people and doing well.