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Discussion

Failed drug screen

Hello

I am a hospice nurse who recently discovered a drug diversion in a patient's home. I was contacted three days after the discovery to submit a UA, which is protocol, but I was out of town at the time. Yesterday I was notified that I would most likely have to submit a hair follicle test; which I understand as opiates clear your system quickly. My problem is that I have used marijuana in the past three months, which will show on a hair screening test; I would have passed a UA no problem. I self-medicate with marijuana for anxiety, which I know is stupid and illegal, but I have had no luck with the prescribed benzos and CBT that I have been prescribed. I am posting to see if anyone has any ideas on my next steps. Should I self-disclose before I find out if they are doing the hair test? Should I wait and see what they decide to do before self-disclosing? If they do the hair test, I will self-disclose, but should I give my history of anxiety and why I have used marijuana? I have contacted the employee assistance program (EAP) that my work provides and they reported that I would have to be referred by work before any treatment could be provided by them. I am terrified that I have ruined my career!

thanks for your time.

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    Yikes, either way if you self-report or go through with the hair follicle test and come up positive, you are most likely going to be reported to the BoN. That's a tough decision to make.

    History of anxiety or not, they don't care why you used the marijuana but the fact you used it at all.

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    I wouldn't do anything until you know for sure whether they need a hair test or a UA. It's usually best to self-report which could be done in-between knowing that you need to do the hair test and doing it. Some states have more lenient programs for "lesser" crimes which don't always include the crazy restrictions that a full monitoring program carries.

    You could always try turning to someone in your company - it will be their call whether you get turned in or not - but you run the risk of them disclosing you before you can self-disclose which in some states can lead to harsher penalties. I wouldn't disclose anything to your EAP even if it were an option; plenty of posters on here ended up in monitoring programs because of thing disclosed to the EAP.

    What an awful situation. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. :/

    (edit - and I think the standard forum advice of "consult a BON-experienced lawyer" WOULD be beneficial here. Your circumstances are slightly more unique than a straight-forward DUI/diversion/high on the job charge which might give you some wiggle room. Or maybe not. But a lawyer can help with that.)

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    Contact a lawyer- I would think self incrimination is the last thing one would want to do- but not cooperating with the BON is also something you do not want to do. You might lose your job if you don't submit to testing (or if you submit to testing).

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