Failed pre employment drug screen in Texas, now what?

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Hi everyone, I have a question for those of who have dealt with this. Facts only and no judgment please. In December of 2017, I failed a pre employment drug screen (+THC) for a hospital and they said they were reporting me to the Texas BON. From what I've read, it sounds like I'll have to go to an evaluator and then thru the EEP program (assuming the evaluation deems me not to have a dependency- which I do NOT, it was a one-off thing and I could pass a hair test at anytime.)

My question is, how long should I expect before hearing from the Board or Tpapn regarding the failed pre employment test if it was reported in December 2017? I want to get all this over with.

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

Oh an you might consider consulting with an attorney familiar with professional practice issues here's a link to a referral service. You need to know the legalities of what you will be signing up for.

TAANA Executive Office - Home

Hppy

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if you dont mind me asking what was the cutoff level for you test?

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Specializes in OR.
The highlighted portion of your answer is key. The recovery industry is just that an industry that sucks millions of dollars out of people who can ill afford to pay it. I am not talking about street level addicts but rather people who may or may not have substance abuse issues but have voluntarily submitted themselves for treatment in order to keep their jobs. You will get a list of "Qualified Assessors" most of whom work for various treatment centers and they have a financial interest in identifying a substance abuse problem. If you can, find out if you can see an independent addictions specialist that is not associated with a treatment facility. Then keep you mouth shut. No more talk here either. When you go for your evaluation be honest but do not elaborate. Like in court keep your answers short and to the point. While I am defiantly an alcoholic in recovery for over 15 years I was never ever impaired at work and ended up in a program after a suicide attempt. What I needed was psychological counseling not the punitive one size fits all program I was shoved into. Still it kept me sober for 5 years which helped with my depression as well and I am a better person than I was. I spent close to $60,000.00 over 5 years in the program. It's all behind me now but I am here as a source of support.

Hppy

Minus the substance abuse/alcohol, my experience mirrors Hppy's. I went to one of the ‘approved evaluators' or qualified assessors on the list that I was given. These people were affiliated with treatment facilities and had a financial interest in diagnosing a substance abuse issue.

Curiously, there were a few other options on there but they were these out in no where places that either never responded to a phone call or refused an evaluation and in stead required a voluntary 30 day admission. Rather like they had no idea what you were asking for. Looking back I think they were on that list as a ‘red herring.' A ‘here, let's put this so that it looks like there is a choice, but there really isn't."

It was at this time that I still thought they were there to help me. Lord almighty, WRONG!!!!!

Considering this like a court hearing is good advice. Don't lie, but don't verbal vomit either. I mostly cried. I had nothing to tell them that would support thier diagnosis so they twisted things and "opined" it. In English, made it up.

I needed probably partial hospitalization/behavioral health treatment NOT drug rehab. There is nothing positive that this program has done for me. Quite the inverse. It has been extremely damaging. I, however am too stubborn to let them beat me.

I would tackle this with an attorney. They would have a hard time pushing anything besides this EEP past an attorney. Sometimes, just the presence is enough. I have said it before....there is a reason that the ads for the firms that do license defense say to contact them before engaging the BON or any of these programs.

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The cutoff for the initial testing is 50 and then the confirmatory test (done if the initial is positive or if anything is suspected like dilution) is 15. My first test was too diluted (I drank a lot of water prior) so the second test was sent for an automatic confirmatory test (highly unfortunate because mine was 37)

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was this at a hospital?

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It was done at a hospital but sent elsewhere for testing

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Specializes in Cc.
On 2/21/2018 at 8:59 PM, Big Blondie said:

It took Tx BON about 15 months to contact me.

 

Did you work elsewhere while waiting to hear from board

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Specializes in Med / Surg.

Love to talk about EEP with someone that's in it or done it. Please help!

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Specializes in Med / Surg.

Sorry for everyone dealing with this ******** but yeah I have a lot of questions and there are only old threads about EEP TPAPN and so forth so hopefully I can get some people to see this and revive the convo with my current questions. In desperate need of guidance / answers!

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
1 hour ago, RegularDiet said:

Sorry for everyone dealing with this ******** but yeah I have a lot of questions and there are only old threads about EEP TPAPN and so forth so hopefully I can get some people to see this and revive the convo with my current questions. In desperate need of guidance / answers!

I don't know EEP/TPAPN but I am a grad of the extremely punative Calif. Program. I might be able to help you with general info.

Hppy

 

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