Completed VA HPMP... Have Questions? Let me know!

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I completed VA-HPMP 5 year monitoring program. If anyone has any questions or just need to talk or vent let me know. It is a tedious program and often times you can do everything right and things still pop up and you just gotta keep on the course and get to the end. Good luck and give a shout if you need any advice or info!!

Recovering RN said:

If your Texas license isn't free and clear of any issues, Virginia will not issue a license.  Virginia's program is 5 years. DC's program is much more lenient and shorter, not sure if that is an option. Also of note, have you sought treatment and started the recovery process?

What is the normal or average in DC?  How often is testing? Therapy required? Looking for an easier program.  

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Healer555 said:

What is the normal or average in DC?  How often is testing? Therapy required? Looking for an easier program.  

I do not know specifics, only that DC is, I believe, 3 years. I was in VA HPMP and needed a DC license. When I spoke with the program rep in DC for permission for VA to continue monitoring me, she suggested I switch over to DC as it was much more lenient and took less time. I was not in a position to do so but she recognized DC's program was much "easier",

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Recovering RN said:

I do not know specifics, only that DC is, I believe, 3 years. I was in VA HPMP and needed a DC license. When I spoke with the program rep in DC for permission for VA to continue monitoring me, she suggested I switch over to DC as it was much more lenient and took less time. I was not in a position to do so but she recognized DC's program was much "easier",

Thanks.  Its brutal where I am. 

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Healer555 said:

Thanks.  Its brutal where I am. 

I did VA HPMP it was rough. 5 years but I made it through 

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Where did you work while you waited to be cleared?  I just got off the phone with the intake and have way more questions than answers.

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Nursefailure said:

Where did you work while you waited to be cleared?  I just got off the phone with the intake and have way more questions than answers.

I could not work in healthcare at all. I worked retail for about 4 months. I signed my contract in May. I started my IOP in July. Completed IOP that fall. I had to do individual and group therapy and once I had completed IOP, was enrolled in therapy they let begin looking for work. I started back in a nursing position the following Jan. So about 8 months not in healthcare. It's long. It's tedious. In the beginning it feels very harsh and like it will never end. But in the beginning you really do need to be focusing on recovery and healing yourself. Once you are in a better place all the restrictions and demands put on you aren't so bad. Just annoying. If you truly needed help and  have surrendered you will make it through. 
I'm coming up on 6 years next month. Best thing that ever happened. 

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Hi! Am new to HPMP and am overwhelmed by it all. I find myself analyzing differences between high and low molecular weight alcohols in lotions. Even if something says alcohol free, it still has some type of alcohol, many food have natural alcohol fatty acids. Am I over thinking this. What can you actually eat while in this program? I am feeling like I will not be able to even eat many "natural" foods, fruits, veggies, bread, pasta, ect... I feel like food is restricted severely or am I just overthinking this? I feel like I'll be living on cucumbers and a piece of chicken breast. Help! Please and thank you!

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Same. My skin is needing lotion but I don't use it. Hand sanitizer can cause a positive etg but etg is supposedly specific.  I miss lotion the most. 

Food, avoid anything cooked with alcohol, poppyseed, vanilla extract, soy sauce.  I try to eat basic foods. I avoid middle eastern food. CHinese and Italian.  Don't ear over ripe fruits.  No kombucha.  

I do chew gum that has alcohol sugars. 

You can eat more than you are eating.  Be careful in restaurants 

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Thank you Healer555. How is this realistically navigated? I am finding some lotions might work such as Cerave lotions and facial moisturizers. I believe it contains a high molecular weight Cetearyl Alcohol which does not really penetrate the skin and does not contain ethanol/ethyl alcohol. This is commonly found in cosmetics, shampoos, conditioners, etc. I am almost certain that these are OK. I can't imagine any program not allowing someone to even shampoo their hair for several years. doesn't make much sense. I think foods are more tricky. Is there a basic food list of "can have"? Are alcohol sugars something that can be consumed? What of Italian food can't be eaten? Im just not sure of what can really be eaten? Splenda in my coffee? I'm extremely confused about the foods! Thanks for the help!!

 

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Shanele said:

Thank you Healer555. How is this realistically navigated? I am finding some lotions might work such as Cerave lotions and facial moisturizers. I believe it contains a high molecular weight Cetearyl Alcohol which does not really penetrate the skin and does not contain ethanol/ethyl alcohol. This is commonly found in cosmetics, shampoos, conditioners, etc. I am almost certain that these are OK. I can't imagine any program not allowing someone to even shampoo their hair for several years. doesn't make much sense. I think foods are more tricky. Is there a basic food list of "can have"? Are alcohol sugars something that can be consumed? What of Italian food can't be eaten? Im just not sure of what can really be eaten? Splenda in my coffee? I'm extremely confused about the foods! Thanks for the help!!

 

I use a shampoo with no alcohol.  I consume xylotol and sorbotol with no issues. Some Italian sauces contain either wine or vodka so I just avoid them. My toothpaste is alcohol free.  

From all I have read false positive tests are rare but they do happen.  It seems alcohol is a common false positive so I'm extra careful.  I hate this monitoring agreement more than words can express and it seems common to add time on for a false positive.  There's a similar post here and some avoid all alcohol while others use products with alcohol. In my state I think the threshold for forgiving a positive test is unlikely so I'll go the the rest of my time a little hungry and worse skin to get out on time.  When this is over I can eat drink and be merry.  I am definitely tempted to use lotions. My poor skin.  They don't say we can't use products with alcohol besides hand sanitizer. 

As you are new, I will say this is horrible but time passes though not quickly enough.  Do all that you're supposed to do and there's a,lot to do. This too shall pass and you can return to a normal life. 

I sm going to start using castor oil mixed with olive oil on my skin. 

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Healer555 said:

I use a shampoo with no alcohol.  I consume xylotol and sorbotol with no issues. Some Italian sauces contain either wine or vodka so I just avoid them. My toothpaste is alcohol free.  

From all I have read false positive tests are rare but they do happen.  It seems alcohol is a common false positive so I'm extra careful.  I hate this monitoring agreement more than words can express and it seems common to add time on for a false positive.  There's a similar post here and some avoid all alcohol while others use products with alcohol. In my state I think the threshold for forgiving a positive test is unlikely so I'll go the the rest of my time a little hungry and worse skin to get out on time.  When this is over I can eat drink and be merry.  I am definitely tempted to use lotions. My poor skin.  They don't say we can't use products with alcohol besides hand sanitizer. 

As you are new, I will say this is horrible but time passes though not quickly enough.  Do all that you're supposed to do and there's a,lot to do. This too shall pass and you can return to a normal life. 

I sm going to start using castor oil mixed with olive oil on my skin. 

 

Shanele said:

Thank you Healer555. How is this realistically navigated? I am finding some lotions might work such as Cerave lotions and facial moisturizers. I believe it contains a high molecular weight Cetearyl Alcohol which does not really penetrate the skin and does not contain ethanol/ethyl alcohol. This is commonly found in cosmetics, shampoos, conditioners, etc. I am almost certain that these are OK. I can't imagine any program not allowing someone to even shampoo their hair for several years. doesn't make much sense. I think foods are more tricky. Is there a basic food list of "can have"? Are alcohol sugars something that can be consumed? What of Italian food can't be eaten? Im just not sure of what can really be eaten? Splenda in my coffee? I'm extremely confused about the foods! Thanks for the help!!

 

What state are you in Shanele? In VA, the handbook is very, very specific and clear. It can be very overwhelming in the beginning but as Healer 555 said it does get better. As far as products and food/drink go, follow your handbook. I didn't use hand sanitizer but did use lotions and shampoos and never had any issues.  Food and drink and be more of an issue for sure. I had two false positives in 5 years. One was from poppy seeds and it was a very low amount so it does happen and the other was from dayquil. I thought Dayquil was allowed and only Nyquil was banned. Don't just look at brand names in the handbook be sure to look at active ingredients. I will say tho that when they do the testing and the confirmation testing they can tell if you are lying. I was completely honest and they could tell by breakdowns and concentrations that it was not actual "use" its still a positive but was just a warning and usually increased testing and cost. Keep open communication with your case manager; if you are serious about staying clean and not using, you will be fine. I was also super careful regarding hydration on test days. Over or underhydration can also trigger an abnormal. It's so much to navigate but it does get better and eventually, there is light at the end of the tunnel. 

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Recovering RN said:

 

What state are you in Shanele? In VA, the handbook is very, very specific and clear. It can be very overwhelming in the beginning but as Healer 555 said it does get better. As far as products and food/drink go, follow your handbook. I didn't use hand sanitizer but did use lotions and shampoos and never had any issues.  Food and drink and be more of an issue for sure. I had two false positives in 5 years. One was from poppy seeds and it was a very low amount so it does happen and the other was from dayquil. I thought Dayquil was allowed and only Nyquil was banned. Don't just look at brand names in the handbook be sure to look at active ingredients. I will say tho that when they do the testing and the confirmation testing they can tell if you are lying. I was completely honest and they could tell by breakdowns and concentrations that it was not actual "use" its still a positive but was just a warning and usually increased testing and cost. Keep open communication with your case manager; if you are serious about staying clean and not using, you will be fine. I was also super careful regarding hydration on test days. Over or underhydration can also trigger an abnormal. It's so much to navigate but it does get better and eventually, there is light at the end of the tunnel. 

What lotions did you use? My skin is in sad shape 

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