Drug test randomness???

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2016

It's the same amount here when you pay both affinity and the testing place. We only get tested 16 (?) times a year although if you submit a dilute, you have to do hair or blood.

Out of everything, I think the fear of failing a UA was what kept me sober in early sobriety. And I wouldn't have the sobriety I have today without that early sobriety. The work restrictions were totally unnecessary to my sobriety and I struggle with the mandatory aspect of AA...

Fwiw the guy who runs my state's program swears all the routine random UAs are computer generated when you enter into the program so they aren't purposely messing with you when you get a lot of tests. I had 3 in two weeks after I got the okay to go overseas, apparently not related!

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2016

I hear the "oh it's random" thing too. However about the only thing this whole experience has taught me is to believe very little of what anyone says and not to trust people any further than I can kick them. It's really not a nice way to live but I can't help it.

SororAKS, ADN, RN · Sep 27, 2016

63.00 for a test that includes etg, 43.00 uds without etg. 15.00 more if it is observed, which has happened to me a few times. We don't have to do blood or hair if we get a dilute, just a letter about how to properly hydrate yourself and an advisory from the caseworker.

I am not sure how random any of it is. They say it is all random, but one's case monitor can always say they want a test on any given day, regardless of how many other tests or their results.

SororAKS, ADN, RN · Sep 27, 2016

It's the same amount here when you pay both affinity and the testing place. We only get tested 16 (?) times a year although if you submit a dilute, you have to do hair or blood.
Out of everything, I think the fear of failing a UA was what kept me sober in early sobriety. And I wouldn't have the sobriety I have today without that early sobriety. The work restrictions were totally unnecessary to my sobriety and I struggle with the mandatory aspect of AA...
Fwiw the guy who runs my state's program swears all the routine random UAs are computer generated when you enter into the program so they aren't purposely messing with you when you get a lot of tests. I had 3 in two weeks after I got the okay to go overseas, apparently not related!

For me the mandatory meetings weren't even the biggest issue. It is the fact that if I wanted to go anywhere I had to ask permission. It is being under a microscope. I worked long and hard to get clean and remain that way, doing the monitoring program and having all the restrictions, when I have the clean time I do feels weird to this day. I'm not working as a nurse either.

The biggest thing with me is that I did the best I could to follow the instructions to a T...but I still got a positive.

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2016

Yeah I hate having to keep in mind testing sites when I travel (so stressful) and not being able to go overseas without a LOT of hassle. I feel like most of my life is just on hold until this passes which sucks because we only get one life and it's all just passing me by, kind of like how life passed me by while I was drinking. Only I'm not drinking.

I'm very lucky that our UAs aren't as bad as other states. They don't test for Etg and the peth/hair isn't really random.

I am probably more of an ideal candidate for monitoring. Active alcoholic who had failed trying to get sober on her own and was putting her patients in danger with her drinking. So that colors my perception of things. Knock on wood everything goes smoothly until June...

SororAKS, ADN, RN · Sep 27, 2016

Knocking for you...rap rap rap :)

For me, nothing was as bad as before I got clean. As much of a pain in the behind as monitoring is, nothing was as bad as then.

Twoyearnurse · Sep 28, 2016

Shoot, I pay $90 a pop. But as expensive as this process is it nowhere near comes close to the lifelong loss of income if they just permanently revoked out licenses.

gabby3 · Sep 28, 2016

How often do you test at $90 a test. Probably Cali. I got paid triple in California of what I make in south Florida.

I just had a drug test on 9/7 $53. PEth $ 148 9/23

test today drug 9/28 $53.

Ouch

Usually just 2 times a month. PEth every 2 to 3 months.

California is very difficult with travel and testing possible 7 days a week

gabby

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · Sep 29, 2016

I was screaming bloody murder a few months ago because i got 4! times within 9 days (and that was with a weekend involved) I questioned it and got the "it's random" bit. Yeah, whatever...do any of us believe much of what these people come up with?

$148 for an "experimental" test that has been proven to be notoriously inaccurate? Figures....

Twoyearnurse · Oct 5, 2016

2-4 times a month on average. Our tests go to a forensic lab out of state. Pretty pretty pennies :). I will report that I have never worried about a dilute or false positive. That *almost* makes the cost worth it!

SororAKS, ADN, RN · Oct 5, 2016

2-4 times a month on average. Our tests go to a forensic lab out of state. Pretty pretty pennies :). I will report that I have never worried about a dilute or false positive. That *almost* makes the cost worth it!

Glad to hear it. Mine goes out of state to a forensic lab too. Hope yours is better handled than mine.