First Lab Testing While on Vacation?

Trauma Columnist · May 11, 2011

What about asking your monitoring agency?

nursling07 · May 12, 2011

i asked my case manager she said that i still have to call everyday and give the testing company a 2 week notice of where i will be and still have to call...im just wondering if i will be testing bc even tho some of these people i am friends with who i am going with im not great close friends with them and really dont want them knowing my business of whats been going on

jnks · May 24, 2011

You need to get more clarity from your case manager. Here in California, there are nurses in "Diversion" or "Probation." The Probation nurses have it a little easier. They can and do get tested on vacation, and need to set up sites where they will be ahead of time with First Lab. I know of one Probation nurse who was able to have here testing excused by her CM for a week while she was on vacation. For Diversion, which is stricter, there are no excuses, no exceptions. I had the opportunity to go on an all-expenses paid cruise to Alaska, but can't because I obviously can't test on the boat. I'm going to visit family in another state, and if I have to test there, I will have to drive an hour to the site. It's a pain. I would be surprised if Firstlab has an authorized site in Jamaica. If you have testing excused for that period, clarify this absolutely and get it in writing.

Thirddegreefrazier · Jun 13, 2011

I was able to go on a Florida/Bahama vacation in March but of course had to inform First Lab and my CM of this two weeks in advance. I did locate somewhere in Florida to get tested just in case and fortunately was not chosen while in Florida. During the cruise I couldn't call because a) obviously a little man was not going to pull up beside the cruise ship to obtain my urine and b) my phone didn't work for a portion of the cruise and was on roam status for the other portion. I discussed this with my CM prior to the trip and she just replied "obviously they can't test you while on the cruise". I was on probationary status at the time and only a month into the program. Of course I was tested 3 times the next week. As far as "enjoying" my vaca, it never happened. I was too worried and stressed out about this situation.

shhRN · Jun 18, 2011

I have a question, I am new to the Intervention program and I am going to have to start testing with First Lab. I am confused as to what to avoid in order to avoid a positive screen for alcohol, i.e. hygiene, hair, cleaning products. Everything has some form of alcohol in it, do I have to avoid all ingredients that end in "ol". Several products claim to be "alcohol free" but actually have things like propylene glycol in it. Also, laundry detergent, what can I use...Please help me. I tested positive for trace amts of THC in my system, I am not a drinker, I know to avoid the obvious products, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Another thing, my prescribed eczema cream has several types of alcohol in the ingredient list, what am I going to have to do about this? Thank you!!

jackstem · Jun 19, 2011

Check out the list of products with ETOH here.

List your prescribed medications when providing your sample. This can prevent all sorts of over reactions if you test positive for a substance you're prescribed. That doesn't mean no one will flip out, since many folks employed by alternative programs and disciplinary programs don't seem to be able to use common sense.

Jack

nicole2011 · Jun 22, 2011

Has anyone ever been on vacation in a foreign country where there was no lab to test? If so, what kind of testing did they do when you got back...

SouthernPoint · Jun 22, 2011

Has anyone ever been on vacation in a foreign country where there was no lab to test? If so, what kind of testing did they do when you got back...

I have gone on vacations in and out of the country. I live in Florida. What I did was contact my Caseworker in advance and talked with them about my vacation plans. I had to send them my vacation plans (the when, where and how longs). I was not required to call in while I was on vacation, either while I was in the USA or out of the USA. I just got a call from the person who is in charge of the UDS bright and early on the 1st day I was back home and had to go for a UDS.

Honestly I believe each state has different standards. The best thing and really the only correct thing to do is Contact your Caseworker and speak with them. They are the ones who know. Also if your program has a person who is in charge of the UDS's give them a call also and run your vacation plans by them. If at all possible get information sent to you from your program about vacation protocol. Remember, one person can say "Oh yeah, go on vacation. We will deal with everything once you get back. Have a great time". Then you get back and have 20 missed called from someone who is like "Your color was called and you didn't give us a UDS. Now your not answering your phone or returning calls. I can't even get a hold of your employer. Are you still alive"? (True message I received). My issue was cleared up, but it could have been a total *****.

Good Luck and Happy Vacation

dinguino · Jan 17, 2012

I go to Mexico frequently 2-3 times a year while on california probation for a DUI. They do not test while out of the country for probation. Diversion is different.

kearsleyRN · Jan 23, 2017

What proof do you need to show that you were in Mexico? Do they ask for your stamped passport? Or just travel itinerary and boarding passes?