Failed screening

Nurses Recovery

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Not sure where to begin, I got into this program almost a year ago and have had 3 positive screenings for opiates, please don't come after me. Was curious what the ASBN will do about this, I'm willing to do whatever, I just need some reassurance here. This is my first time posting on this forum. I have read hours upon hours of topics on here, not hardly slept and just disgusted with myself. Thinking it would be better just to surrender my license then to face the board. Has anyone ever had to deal with being kicked out of monitoring? I am single and have no real family to help me and I'm gonna loose everything without a job. Thanks for reading. 

No they are not back yet, I've not slept much, stressed to my max. Thanks for asking. I'm sure it will be this week sometime. Gonna call my counselor Monday to set up an appointment just to have someone to talk to about all this, it's the worst. All different scenarios going through my head, what if it's positive, will I loose my license, will I have to go before the board( which scares the crap out of me) will they give me another chance. It's just a lot and my mind will not shut down. 

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
JackieeD said:

No they are not back yet, I've not slept much, stressed to my max. Thanks for asking. I'm sure it will be this week sometime. Gonna call my counselor Monday to set up an appointment just to have someone to talk to about all this, it's the worst. All different scenarios going through my head, what if it's positive, will I loose my license, will I have to go before the board( which scares the crap out of me) will they give me another chance. It's just a lot and my mind will not shut down. 

I am by no means an expert.  I looked up what you tested positive for and poppy seeds can cause a positive test for that. The level was so low I can't see a positive test from taking an opiate medication or heroin unless it was taken a long time ago. I'd think either lab error or incidental exposure which would include eating something with poppy seeds. We are told not to eat poppy seeds because the lab can't tell the difference between poppy seeds and opiates.  I'd ask to do a hair test if you're 100% positive it wasn't anything you consumed.  All states are different.  In my state they'd accept that you ate poppy seeds and give you a warning for a level that low. If it was positive due to a relapse they'd put you in IOP for a month and make you do two years.  

Maybe research poppy seed consumption and what you tested positive for and present it if needed? I'm really hoping all turns out well for you.  I worry about false positive tests for myself all the time. Worst case scenario get a lawyer 

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MRO called me back and still positive for low level Hydromorphone, he said it wouldn't be from any food or medicine I took listed on my list of meds. I asked about accidental exposure and he absolutely could be but that would be up to my case manager to decide. I have messaged her about possible accidental exposure. Prayers appreciated that she will hopefully see that is a possibility. I'm just sick about this and have not took anything that would make that be positive. Will update as soon as I hear the final verdict from my case manager. 

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
JackieeD said:

MRO called me back and still positive for low level Hydromorphone, he said it wouldn't be from any food or medicine I took listed on my list of meds. I asked about accidental exposure and he absolutely could be but that would be up to my case manager to decide. I have messaged her about possible accidental exposure. Prayers appreciated that she will hopefully see that is a possibility. I'm just sick about this and have not took anything that would make that be positive. Will update as soon as I hear the final verdict from my case manager. 

I'm praying for you.  Is the MRO a physician?  Things work so different for you than in my state.  Big prayers 

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Yes he is a doctor, thank you BIG Prayers needed! 

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

I'm not going to get on you but some clarification is needed. In your OP you stated that you had had 3 positives for opioids. Were those incidental exposures or actual relapse events. It's important to acknowledge this becaue admitting to being powerless is a hallmark of recovery from addiction. No real shame in it because "relapse happens every day" But if you actually did have three positives in addition to this one it raises the index of suspicion for actual relapse. I had three positive ETGs when I was in the program and they all turned out to be incidental exposures, but it was a very stressful event. IF you honestly know that you did not use then you just have to see how it turns out. When I was in the program in California Mucinex was not on the list of approved OTC medications. I will try to find that list and post it as it was extremely helpful as a guide.

Hppy

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Thank you for your reply, I got put in monitoring program for taking an old 2019 prescription after I had a tooth cut out, had stitches and wa a very painful. Facility drug screened every nurse in facility and I even told them what I took. Still turned me in for not having a recent script. Never taken drugs, volunteered myself into the program instead of fighting it, which I probably should have but felt pushed in a corner at that point. I haven't even been to a doctor since 2019 when I had my hysterectomy, I have been sick about all this not eating, barely sleeping, haven't heard from my CM. I wrote her a letter in hopes to continue my program, I only have 6 1/2 months left. 

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
JackieeD said:

Thank you for your reply, I got put in monitoring program for taking an old 2019 prescription after I had a tooth cut out, had stitches and wa a very painful. Facility drug screened every nurse in facility and I even told them what I took. Still turned me in for not having a recent script. Never taken drugs, volunteered myself into the program instead of fighting it, which I probably should have but felt pushed in a corner at that point. I haven't even been to a doctor since 2019 when I had my hysterectomy, I have been sick about all this not eating, barely sleeping, haven't heard from my CM. I wrote her a letter in hopes to continue my program, I only have 6 1/2 months left. 

You're not the only one who was pressured into a monitoring agreement without a substance use disorder. It's awful.  I'd hope that if they thought you were a danger they would have contacted you by now. Just my two cents.  You're still working? I'd try to take it as a good sign that your CM is taking their time with this. Still praying for you.  

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Yes I am still working, everyday I go in I'm afraid I'll get the dreaded call that they are gonna suspend me, I'm literally sick about this and just feel lost. Thanks for replying. I just need some major Prayers! 

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Honestly, I'm not sure why they are wasting so much time reviewing your re-test of the same sample.  Most monitoring agencies would have moved on to confirmatory testing by now.  And the more time passes, your 2nd confirmatory testing would be negative anyway (if not heavy, constant use).  

Or do monitoring agencies not even do confirmatory testing anymore?  

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I'm not sure, I've already been tested again since that test was done on the 21st and this one is Negative. Still haven't gotten any reply from my CM from my message I sent her regarding accidental exposure. Continued Prayers. Thank you! 

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Update:,CM wants me to call her tomorrow about this incident as she called it, Wish me luck and I tested again today, which is fine, just fun shy now after this last one, knowing I did not take anything that would cause a low level of Hydromorphone. Prayers for good news and not bad news. Thanks to everyone for your input, means a lot and has kept me going! 

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