Yes, ladies and gentlemen. I was checking my results on affinity and my last test result is positive for alcohol. The problem is, I didn't drink. The only thing I can think might have caused it was some lemon tahini dressing at a vegetarian restaurant I ate at the night before. I've had the same dressing in the past and never had a problem.
The killer in all this is that I am due to complete monitoring in four days. Yes.
Never had any positives during monitoring, nothing but a dilute specimen. I'm not drinking, not using, nothing. And bing.
*Sigh*
I haven't heard from my case manager yet. I'm trying to stay calm and think. Stick to my routine and not worry. I know I do have options, I just can't believe this. After everything I have done, all the scrupulous watching everything I do, eat, drink, and walking on eggshells...BUT we will just wait and see.
So sorry! For the whole monitoring period I lived in dread of a false positive, because the attitude was so totally "no excuses." I will keep you in my thoughts/prayers.
Because going and getting drunk less than a week before this neverending nightmare actually ends just makes so dang much sense. Oh, wait these people have no common sense!! There is a line between strict and stupid and I daresay it's been crossed.
I too have seen this research and during this last, BS and completely uncalled for evaluation, I had to submit to (and let's not forget, at my own expense), blood, urine and hair tests. It was irrelevant that I had had some 10-12 pee tests over the last 3 moths and there were only negative results, and I am guessing the blood was for these BS alcohol tests. Alcohol has never, never, ever been a problem for me. I can't remember the last time I drank anything, at all. Shoot, I've been on anti-depressants for the last 20 some years. You don't drink with those. You just don't.
It's just another example of the "one size fits all" that this is.
Were i in your boat and they tried to pull anything other than unchaining you, I would think lawyer time. Just my lousy attitude, again.
Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.
"One size fits all" attitudes are a very disturbing aspect of all this, and I've seen a lot of it with nurses as well as physicians.
I have had my own issues with this, but your story is beyond the pale. I can't imagine the frustration. How much longer do you have to go with your monitoring?
I find it interesting that your program lets you see the results of your tests. In California all you can see is when the test sample was received and when the results were reported, and you can only see that at the end of the month. I always wondered how I would know if I ever had a false positive. I assume I would be called by someone but I don't even know who that someone is...my monitor? My First Lab case manager?
This month I had an instance where I was called in on a Sunday to test, I submitted my sample but the man who observed me forgot to check off the little box that says observed on the lab slip. Normally, I check the slip to make sure everything's filled out but that day I was on my lunch break and in a rush to get back to work. Anywho, the manager of the clinic noticed it wasn't checked the next day and asked me to resubmit a sample stating she would write a letter explaining the error wasn't my fault and that I had submitted a sample both days. I was freaking out for a while there expecting to get a call asking why my sample was dated the next day, but considering its been nearly 3 weeks, I'm going to assume everything is OK. The lack of transparecy though is annoying.
Florida and other states use affinity, a computer program that all documentation is done online. I came from California diversion program. Moved to Florida and had to start a 5 year program.
When I tested in California they used compass drug testing and we called 7 days a week to check in, but was never selected on weekends and holidays. Florida is a longer program but you only drug test week days. Average testing is 2 times a month.
When I was in Cali Etg was new test and a positive was considered proof of drinking. Most states cutoff is now 500. I completed a total of 3 rehabs due to positive Etg tests. My Etg levels now would be considered negative with the new cutoff level.
I have special blood test PEth every 2 to 3 months at $148 a test, on top of regular drug tests . PEth is considered experimental too. I have less then a year, I have been jumping through hoops since 2006. I don't even like etoh and never had an issue with drinking.
Stick to your research. I truly believe some people produce more Etg then others. I was eating whole foods no sauces and could never find the reason for my positive Etg tests. I know of individuals that have drank etoh and had negatives tests.
Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.
Update: Just got an email from my case manager. They have to discuss this in conference. So I have no idea what's happening regarding the ending of my contract. I emailed back asking what I should plan to do after Sunday, reminding them that my contract ends.
*Double sigh*
It's so weird how we tend to look forward to milestones like the ending of monitoring, getting approved to work, going back to work, getting off Probation, etc. I am no different. I've had no issues for the duration of my contract, no missed checkins, no missed anything, and no positives. I followed directions to abstain from all the obvious things the best I could and live my life without hiding out with water and Saltines for the duration of my contract. Most of all, I have not picked up a drug or a drink of alcohol, in fact recently celebrated 16 years of clean time.
I did the best I could to live in a balanced, common sense manner; without fear of one little thing causing a positive and there goes everything. I refuse to live in a plastic bubble and do the best I can to live well.
What I had thought would be another milestone crossed, another small success on this trek of wrapping up old business in my original licensure state, getting an active license in good standing in my new state and eventually returning to nursing, is now no longer certain.
Guess there's nothing more to do but wait.
The damnedest thing about this is that everything seems to hinge on this one test in monitoring programs, yet the doctor who has written a lot about this, even says it isn't always indicative of relapse or drinking alcohol, and needs to be only a part of a comprehensive assessment of the client or the professional being monitored. There are usually other indicators that support either incidental exposure or relapse. One test does not equal all.
The fact that one is presumed to have relapsed is the most disturbing thing. If I had, I'd admit that. It serves no purpose for me to lie. Honesty is what has kept me clean for the length of time I have been, indeed it has kept me alive. Admitting when one makes a mistake, if it has happened, is the first step to turning the effects of a bad decision around. Hiding and lying serves no interest, certainly not mine. I'm getting too old for that.
SororAKS, ADN, RN
720 Posts
According to internet research, the dressing can be made with wine or vinegar. Some recipes don't include that.
It wasn't a 5 year contract, and yes I already turned in the required papers.