CA RN Probation Program Drug testing

crazin01 · Feb 20, 2017

A few months back, my therapist for monitoring program gave me a copy of seemingly any & everything that could result in a positive screen. It is quite large, but they break down EVERY scent of bath & body shower gel, mist, cream, etc. I am not sure where it is (in my little home office) but will definitely try to locate it.

I had a minor outpatient surgery & took fairly large doses of supplements/substances found in your body, to optimize function returning to normal. I sent the case manager a list of what I was taking & what each was for. She was not happy/became a little more defensive. Basically, she said she's sick of people being so paranoid about UDS's. However seeing/hearing all the false positive stories, how could one not be somewhat paranoid? Your license pretty much hanging in the balance.

I am going to try to dig through my paperwork to locate it. I don't see why I couldn't scan it in (since it would not be really offering medical or legal advice) just trying to spread the info of what I have.

I think it's crappy (at least in my state/program) they do NOT give you a list of what you shouldn't have. If you don't know what is forbidden, that could be an issue.

Does your state have a website, for the monitoring program? Or a quick google search, might be beneficial.

Welcome, since you appear to be new. This site has been a great resource, even just for support...

allnurses Guide · Feb 21, 2017

I have a list I came up with years ago - I might even have posted it here at one time. I'll see where I can find it.

allnurses Guide · Feb 21, 2017

Ok I promised you all a listed of foods to avoid if you are under EtG testing - I'm surprised the boards are still using the test but change is a slow process.

The Nurse support group I was in while in diversion worked with me to put together this list most of it is anecdotal as some items were added if they had been eaten with 3 days prior to a positive test.

Generally speaking you want to avoid all processed foods such as salsa's, sauces, fermented soy products like miso and soy sauce. Bar-B-Q sauce. Avoid restaurants that use a lot of sauces or gravies. A list of restaurants that people have associated with positive tests are.

Italian

Mexican

Japanese

Sushi

Pollo Loco

Specific products to avoid using at all are:

PAM cooking spray 86% grain alcohol

Listerine

Fabreeze

Hair spray

See the link below for list of household products that contain alcohol.

As for food you best bet is to get used to eating at home - cook fresh food, meats and veggies from the produce department - make you own sauces.

For household and industrial products that contain alcohol or alcohol metabolites go to this link and put alcohol or ETOH in the search field.

There is no way you can avoid all exposure so you can only do your best and turn it over to your higher power.

Household Products Database - Health and Safety Information on Household Products

Understand that this list is as I mentioned Highly anecdotal and may or may not be valid for all persons. I drank teas with the YOGI and Traditional Medicinal brand names with no problem the TM Gypsy cold cure tea saved my life when I could take Nyquil or Benadryl.

Good luck to you

Hppy.

Peace and Namste

Hppy

gnurse2089 · Feb 21, 2017

I'm almost a year into the probation program myself in California. At the beginning I was extremely paranoid, and I'd freak out after every drug screen if I had so much as a bit of salad dressing thinking I'd fail, now with some time under my belt I'm a lot more relaxed.

if you're on probation I'm assuming you're being tested with Option 1 and the occasional PETH test. Basically just avoid obvious sources of alcohol (I.e. Alcoholic beverages and raw foods prepared with alcohol) and you'll be fine. I use hand sanitizer at work, cook with vanilla extract, and just buy whatever shampoo is cheapest and I have yet to produce false positive. As far as other substances, just make sure you have a prescription for any OTC medicines you might have to use (I.e. Mucinex, lomitil, robitussin). I actually do know someone in my group who had a false positive for opiates due to some OTC medication but upon further analysis the lab was able to disprove it and her script saved her.

Also avoid any hemp products. This was the one thing my monitor made sure to tell me about as they've been getting a lot of false positives for THC due to use of hemp products in shakes and beauty supplies.

Honestly if you're just a casual drinker and got put into monitoring for a one time mistake (like me, 1st and only dui 4 years ago) getting through probation is more a pain than it is difficult. The biggest mistake I see people make is they get comfortable, start drinking casually again and then get caught with a PETH test. Don't do that and you'll be fine...a couple grand later

cowgirl003 · Feb 21, 2017

I will have 3 years clean and sober tomorrow but just started Probation. Eating healthy is important to me and makes me feel better. Any list you can post would be greatly appreciated and if you want you can pm me for my email address :-) Maybe we all should make our own soap and beauty products to remain safe LOL My favorite multigrain bread very last ingredient was poppy seeds.....I am guessing Red Vine vinegar for salads is a no no.....:-) I did see that list but I am testing through first lab and they do a different one.

Thanks to all for the help and welcome, I am sure I will be less paranoid as time goes on. lol BTW, what is a PETH test?

gnurse2089 · Feb 21, 2017

PETH test is blood test for alcohol that can look back up to 3 weeks from the last intake of alcohol. From what I've read, you either have to drink a lot in one sitting or a little over several days to produce a positive PETH result so it's not going to pick up minute traces of alcohol in salad dressings or beauty products. PETH will only produce a positive result for ingested alcohol.

Most of your tests will be Option 1 which is urine, though no one knows exactly what they're testing for since the lab won't tell you. However, they're also starting to sprinkle PETH tests within the program, so far at least 3 of the people in my support group have been selected for a PETH. It's not on your contract though when you sign up for FirstLab, it shows up when you log in, instead of telling you to test for option 1, the message says something like, "You have been selected for a special test..." something along those lines.

Like I said, these tests are less sensitive than ETG and are really only meant to catch chronic drinkers.