Feeling like giving up right now

Nurses Recovery

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I'm very discouraged I tried to quit smoking using a BLU e cigarette. And my urine tested positive for alcohol. I have never had a positive screen in 1 1/2 years on PNAP and now this. I always check food labels, but I failed to even consider the cigarette might have alcohol in it. I asked them to take blood or hair sample ...something to clear this up but technically I violated my contract by Not checking the label of something I put in my body and it had hidden alcohol in it. I really don't know what's to come of this .

Specializes in ER/ICU.

I am so sorry that happened to you. As previous stated "false positive scare the crap out of me". All of the sacrifices you have made over the last year and now this. It seems The BON, any BON doesn't care doesn't know, any how

The scary thing is that alcohol isn't even listed on the package. I had to research it all after the positive screen. Be aware people. Incidental exposure is a real danger

Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.

Good grief. I have not heard of this. I'm so sorry this happened to you.

If they want us to "read labels" that's one thing. But if it isn't clearly listed there how are we supposed to know?

Specializes in Critical Care.

I never thought about it, because I don't use e-cigs, but I suppose there must be some -OH compound that helps to ignite it. I was talking to my lawyer about accidental exposures and she had said that in my state, very recently, they increased the cut off for Ets/etg that is supposed to in theory cover random, incidental exposures, but if your level is high, there is now denying that it is due to booze. Have they proceeded with gcms/MRO review of the result? Have they told you what your level vs the cut off is? Whatever the latest update that your monitoring program gave you for substances to avoid, did they include e-cigs? See if you can find any research articles and present this to them. If they listed the e-cigs as possible exposure, I would think you can only tuck your tail in between your legs and ask for mercy. Ecigs are also a pretty new phenomenon , perhaps they have not caught on, and you can argue that it is unjust to make you the learning opportunity/Guinea pig . Best of luck and keep us posted.

Turns out I wasn't being as careful as I thought I was. And bottom line is that I'm contractually obligated to know what I'm consuming. I had Dijon mustard in my fridge and I had that twice this week . I could kick myself right now !!!! Ugh

I didnt think PNAP checked etg. I thought they only screened for urine etoh

Sure do.

Do you know your level??? Ask for a PEth test. It is supposed to be less sensitive but both test are known not to be 100% accurate.

I have frequently tested positive for Etg from levels of 250 to 1750. Above 500 in most states is positive. It used to be any level. I never ingested any alcohol. Some individuals will test higher then others with incidental alcohol ingredients.

gabby

I absolutely have not intentionally ingested anything like a drink. But the Dijon mustard I bought when my brain was in diet mode wasn't thinking about what was in it other than it was low calorie. When I tested positive I blamed the ecig because that was the only thing I could imagine I had done differently and Google turned up info on it. Then I went through my fridge to check everything for future risk and saw white wine on the Dijon label. Blah I'm so paranoid now

It is such a scary thing. I'm so sorry this is happening to you. I feel like I spent more time reading labels, researching products and being paranoid over everything. In order to keep my sanity and sobriety I had to release all of it and give it to god. I truly believe that if it is my destiny and gods will to be a registered nurse he will protect me. I say "registered " nurse because no matter what I will always be a nurse😄 Don't get me wrong, I still stay away from the obvious ; like cold medicines and mostly all OTC meds. As far as body and hair products I use whatever I find on sale. As far as food products I stay away from cooking wine and vanilla extract.......I have a ton of things to worry about on a day to day basis and none of them will be worrying anymore about incidental exposure. Instead I worry about my 4 month old getting his shots and my 2 year old get his back molars. I worry about how to comfort and best care for them so they won't hurt or be sad. I worry about my 13 year old son traveling safely with his grandfather on a fishing trip to Canada. These are just a few worries I have had in the last 48 hours. I love my life and I live my life , free of worries from the board. this Is what I had to do to keep my sanity and ultimately my sobriety😄

good luck to you!!!!

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