Drug Testing

Specialties Geriatric

Published

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caliotter3

38,333 Posts

When there were "herd" tests when I was in the military, the senior NCOs and officers all were told when it would happen. We were tested for alcohol too so everyone knew when to stop drinking the day before.

tewdles, RN

3,156 Posts

Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

random testing for public safety...and the "Patriot Act" just got signed up for another year...sigh

Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.
i have my asbestos suit on..... i am wondering if those of you in recovery feel the need of the threat of random drug testing to help in maintaining your sobriety?.....because i have indeed known persons who were pot smokers and maintained regular employment.....none known to me in nursing, though i have suspected.....

I'm going to be 6 yrs sober next month. For the first 4 yrs, i was being monitored weekly between my job and the BON. Once I was released from my contract, I had noone to pee for then. I really wish my job would at least randomly test me. Yes, I think it is a deterrent. As addicts, we need someone to be accountable to, IMO. The disease is very powerful. Even after all these years, most every time I open up a narcotic box, the first thought that goes thru my head is my disease saying WOOOHOOO! PARRRRRTY! thankfully, the next thought is my sobriety saying "oh shut up, will ya?". But what if i wasnt so strong in my sobriety tomorrow and I didnt tell my disease to shut up? Who would know I was in relapse until it was too late and I killed someone or myself? Extreme, I know. but these are the things i think of.

Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.

but i would like to add.....

if someone tested positive for just pot, i wouldnt mind much either. personally, i think it should be legalized. even if i can't smoke it, I see nothing wrong with others smoking it in their off times. in fact, i'd rather my nurse be a pot smoker than an alcoholic or worse, a narcotic addict that would steal my pain meds and give me a placebo. i dont believe that pot is a "gateway" drug. shoot, when you are stoned, all you want to do is lay on the couch and eat. you damn sure dont want to go out and drive. you're too paranoid, lol.

tewdles, RN

3,156 Posts

Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

southernbeegirl, your last post actually made me smile and chuckle outloud today...a much needed break in an otherwise sad day....

thank you!

We are the minority. I think I'm a great nurse. I work with some distracted nurses, who don't go to the trouble of talking to or researching thier patients, who are aggravated with the demands of their job, and at times show no compassion. But I'm the pot head, so some day they'll probably have my patients too.

Schmoo1022

520 Posts

If we drug tested...I bet we would lose more than half of our staff. Truthfully, we have lost more nurses to alcohol abuse than other drug issues. Not to say other drugs weren't involved, but we just don't test.

I may get flamed for this...but I don't consider pot to be as serious as alcohol. I don't smoke it, it is illegal and I am a nurse. End of story.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.

Personally, I think this is a good thing. I don't want any dopers or pill heads taking care of me...

I have to disagree. Smoking weed at a party on your day off doesn't make you a doper any more than having a beer makes you an alcoholic. Also not every facility in NY drug tests. I think you'd be surprised at how many people smoke weed, people you know and who you'd be shocked to learn about. I have been in the work force a long time and believe me, almost everyone admits to smoking weed. Seriously.

FocusRN

868 Posts

Well personally I don't smoke (cigarettes or cigars), I don't drink, I don't do drugs. Nor have I ever done any of the above. My husband however is like my opposite, but he also knows that even though I may have seen him doing some type of drug every now and then when we were younger and I was very green, that I would under no circumstances accept that today. He will hear a mouthful from me if he comes in the house with a daiquiri or if I find an unopened pack of cigarettes in his pocket.

I also have a big problem with people that use drugs. I don't subscribe to the "as long as you're not high at work", school of thought either. To be perfectly honest I think that if you want or "need" to take anything to get you high, tipsy, or whatever, you should seek therapy to find out what it is that you are running from.

I also believe that addiction is a disease, but with that said it is an addiction that came about from a conscious decision.

But back to the point, I unfortunately come from a background that give me a lot of direct access to drug users of all types. Spending an hour at my DH's cousin's house I will hear "weed", "coke", "that 'rone" (heroine),"X"(ecstasy)", "vics"(vicoden),"cets"(percocet),"bars" or "zan-bars" (xanax), and the list goes on. So, I will say, no doing drugs is NOT okay. I do have a problem with people who do illicit drugs, and use prescription meds for illicit purposes.It is even more of an outrage when we are talking about healthcare professionals. I mean seriously!

I would also prefer that anyone taking care of me not to drink alcohol, but that is just me and my 2 cents.

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