I am in a monitoring program for psychosis, not substance use. But I have to get UAs anyway, same as anyone else. I'm losing my mind over all the ways I could accidentally fail a drug test. I thought I could just avoid drugs and alcohol and be fine. But now I'm realizing I have to worry about sugar alcohols, poppy seeds, alcohol in cleaning products etc.
It seems impossible to pass this program! Almost every beauty product I have has alcohol in it. My case manager insists I don't have to worry about these with "normal use". But then I see all kinds of stories online about people getting false positives from food and household products.
Has anyone here actually made it through the program without false positives?
Do you mind sharing with me a bit about how your contract looks? Length, stipulations? I understand they are all different, but I'm at the point of just surrendering my license. I'm happy you have had good experiences with the HAVEN staff, but they really have not been great for me -nor done a single thing to help me, just simply tell me go pee in a cup. I'm also really concerned with their turn towards my chronic health conditions and the fact that I am unfortunately in the ER and hospital frequently- it feels discriminatory.
Anyways, I'm just thinking - maybe if I had any idea how a contract is laid out - the typical length, drug testing frequency, therapy meetings, etc. I could convince myself it won't be so bad.
I'm really sorry to hear you're having such a difficult experience—I can relate. Connecticut is definitely known for being strict when it comes to monitoring. I wanted to share a little about how my contract is structured, in case it helps you get a clearer picture of what to expect.
If your case involves anything related to narcotics, it's typically a five-year contract. My requirements include:
>Six months of narcotics restriction (some can be throughout the whole contract).
>Weekly therapy sessions.
>Weekly support group attendance. (clinician-led)
>Eight peer-led recovery meetings per month, with at least four required to be in-person (the rest can be virtual, which has helped me).
>3–5 random urine drug screens per month.
>Practice liaison monitoring, which continues throughout the contract for any job requiring a nursing license.
The good news is that as you show compliance, you can often petition the MRC to ease certain requirements over time, such as therapy frequency. Admittedly, when I first received my contract, I was overwhelmed by how much therapy and monitoring was required, especially since I'd only been doing weekly therapy beforehand. But over time, it's felt more manageable.
If I can offer any personal advice: as hard as it feels right now, I would really encourage you to stick with it. The biggest benefit is that your license stays clean while you're in the program, and you'll gradually adjust to the routine. Go to therapy, attend your meetings, do your tests, and over time, it becomes part of life. Many nurses I've spoken to say the time actually passes quicker than expected.
I personally see this program as a blessing in disguise. I love being a nurse, and while what happened was difficult to face, this process has helped me get healthier and reclaim my career.
That said, I'm actually in the process of transferring to the Massachusetts program, since I'm a resident here and planning to work in Massachusetts. Their program is typically three years and, thankfully, they'll honor my "time served" from Connecticut. One difference is that I'll need to work as a nurse for at least one full year before I can be discharged from the program, but I've already connected with some employers here who are familiar with working with nurses in monitoring programs.
I truly hope you're able to stick with it—I believe you'll be thankful you did down the road. You're not alone, even if it feels that way sometimes. Feel free to reach out anytime.
I'm really sorry to hear you're having such a difficult experience—I can relate. Connecticut is definitely known for being strict when it comes to monitoring. I wanted to share a little about how my contract is structured, in case it helps you get a clearer picture of what to expect.
If your case involves anything related to narcotics, it's typically a five-year contract. My requirements include:
>Six months of narcotics restriction (some can be throughout the whole contract).
>Weekly therapy sessions.
>Weekly support group attendance. (clinician-led)
>Eight peer-led recovery meetings per month, with at least four required to be in-person (the rest can be virtual, which has helped me).
>3–5 random urine drug screens per month.
>Practice liaison monitoring, which continues throughout the contract for any job requiring a nursing license.
The good news is that as you show compliance, you can often petition the MRC to ease certain requirements over time, such as therapy frequency. Admittedly, when I first received my contract, I was overwhelmed by how much therapy and monitoring was required, especially since I'd only been doing weekly therapy beforehand. But over time, it's felt more manageable.
If I can offer any personal advice: as hard as it feels right now, I would really encourage you to stick with it. The biggest benefit is that your license stays clean while you're in the program, and you'll gradually adjust to the routine. Go to therapy, attend your meetings, do your tests, and over time, it becomes part of life. Many nurses I've spoken to say the time actually passes quicker than expected.
I personally see this program as a blessing in disguise. I love being a nurse, and while what happened was difficult to face, this process has helped me get healthier and reclaim my career.
That said, I'm actually in the process of transferring to the Massachusetts program, since I'm a resident here and planning to work in Massachusetts. Their program is typically three years and, thankfully, they'll honor my "time served" from Connecticut. One difference is that I'll need to work as a nurse for at least one full year before I can be discharged from the program, but I've already connected with some employers here who are familiar with working with nurses in monitoring programs.
I truly hope you're able to stick with it—I believe you'll be thankful you did down the road. You're not alone, even if it feels that way sometimes. Feel free to reach out anytime.
Wishing you all the best!
Thanks for the encouragement. My biggest issue is the one size fits all. I did not divert and have yet to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder. I would be happy to do things that benefit me, but does not seem that they tailor it. I have 3 little little kids and so as much as it seems like not a huge deal, that's an enormous amount of appointments every single week and I'm not willing to forgo the next 5 years of my kid's lives to be running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I think you just solidified my decision.
Thanks for the encouragement. My biggest issue is the one size fits all. I did not divert and have yet to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder. I would be happy to do things that benefit me, but does not seem that they tailor it. I have 3 little little kids and so as much as it seems like not a huge deal, that's an enormous amount of appointments every single week and I'm not willing to forgo the next 5 years of my kid's lives to be running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I think you just solidified my decision.
Hi RNemj,
Your story is one of the more frustrating ones I've read on this board lately! I'm so sorry for all the mess you're having to deal with 😞 Would there be any benefit to "trialing" the program? Obviously you wouldn't advertise it as that to them, but you could agree to it and enroll and just... see what it's really like? If it's as bad as you're expecting, you can always pull out; if it's not as awful, you can keep plugging along. I only suggest that bc my understanding is that it's a LOT more effort to restart at a later date than to "just" enroll now; it sounds like there's a chance you could get "only" 3 years now, but I suspect if you declined monitoring now and then wanted to opt in down the road, you'd be guaranteed to get 5 years. I don't mean to minimize the burden of the program AT ALL! Just wasn't sure if that was something you'd considered. Good luck with your decision making!
Your story is one of the more frustrating ones I've read on this board lately! I'm so sorry for all the mess you're having to deal with 😞 Would there be any benefit to "trialing" the program? Obviously you wouldn't advertise it as that to them, but you could agree to it and enroll and just... see what it's really like? If it's as bad as you're expecting, you can always pull out; if it's not as awful, you can keep plugging along. I only suggest that bc my understanding is that it's a LOT more effort to restart at a later date than to "just" enroll now; it sounds like there's a chance you could get "only" 3 years now, but I suspect if you declined monitoring now and then wanted to opt in down the road, you'd be guaranteed to get 5 years. I don't mean to minimize the burden of the program AT ALL! Just wasn't sure if that was something you'd considered. Good luck with your decision making!
I'm willing to give a chance to just see what the contract they suggest will be. I first have to find thousands of dollars for a comprehensive evaluation when I can't even work. If they throw 5 years with 4 meetings a week at me, I will definitely move on to a board hearing and then, if my lawyer agrees, try to get in front of a judge outside of BON.
I've come to peace with possibly giving up nursing for good, and honestly I'm not sad, more just pissed. I just won't give them more power over my life. As my therapist told me today - at the end of the day it is THEIR loss for losing an incredible nurse.
Thanks for the encouragement. My biggest issue is the one size fits all. I did not divert and have yet to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder. I would be happy to do things that benefit me, but does not seem that they tailor it. I have 3 little little kids and so as much as it seems like not a huge deal, that's an enormous amount of appointments every single week and I'm not willing to forgo the next 5 years of my kid's lives to be running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I think you just solidified my decision.
I just wanted to add that I do not have a SUD diagnosis either and my whole case was framed around mental health. But, because of the narcotics situation they still ended up giving me five years with HAVEN. At first the case manager said that "typically" it's five years, but because my case was being centered around mental health that I could've gotten three. Although it didn't happen that way, the paralegal working for them had already warned me that it would be five years because they researched and saw that nurses tend to relapse less with a five-year monitoring contract.
It does sound like financially this is a problem for you, and if there is nothing you can do about it then that's what it is. You do have the option to go to court like you said and fight your case with the board if you never diverted and it would make it an arguable situation? I do not know how proceedings with the board works, but you could end up with a disciplinary mark on your license, I.e., probation for a certain amount of time. After that period you'd have an unencumbered license, but the probation will always show. I wouldn't say it would be impossible to get a job thereafter, but def more difficult. I do understand you putting your kids first.
if you have any additional questions please let me know.
I just wanted to add that I do not have a SUD diagnosis either and my whole case was framed around mental health. But, because of the narcotics situation they still ended up giving me five years with HAVEN. At first the case manager said that "typically" it's five years, but because my case was being centered around mental health that I could've gotten three. Although it didn't happen that way, the paralegal working for them had already warned me that it would be five years because they researched and saw that nurses tend to relapse less with a five-year monitoring contract.
It does sound like financially this is a problem for you, and if there is nothing you can do about it then that's what it is. You do have the option to go to court like you said and fight your case with the board if you never diverted and it would make it an arguable situation? I do not know how proceedings with the board works, but you could end up with a disciplinary mark on your license, I.e., probation for a certain amount of time. After that period you'd have an unencumbered license, but the probation will always show. I wouldn't say it would be impossible to get a job thereafter, but def more difficult. I do understand you putting your kids first.
if you have any additional questions please let me know.
Yeah, my hair follicle was indeed negative for marijuana because as I told them it was not something I chose to do frequently. I guess I'm a bit confused on the laws surrounding that living in a state where it's legal. Not really clear on how they can prevent someone from utilizing a legal drug outside of work, but seems like they can really do whatever they want.
Sorry, I do have a ton of questions, particularly because they have given me very little direct information. Emails to my case manager are unanswered, unless they are calling me to just tell me more things I can or cannot do.
Did you do a comprehensive evaluation?
Are you back working? What was the length of time out of work?
Are the group meetings really like 4 times a week - and is it for the entire 5 years?
Can you apply for early release?
As far as the paralegal, I have issues with her as she presented herself as the lawyer when she called to bully me after I contacted DPH. Telling me upfront how BON never sides with the person the allegations are made against. That right there told me all I needed to know because how can that be a general statement when things should be viewed on a case by case basis?
I'm really happy for you that this has been a positive experience, maybe I just got the luck of the draw. But when people begin to use intimidation tactics, I get very invested in uncovering the reasons behind that.
Yeah, my hair follicle was indeed negative for marijuana because as I told them it was not something I chose to do frequently. I guess I'm a bit confused on the laws surrounding that living in a state where it's legal. Not really clear on how they can prevent someone from utilizing a legal drug outside of work, but seems like they can really do whatever they want.
Sorry, I do have a ton of questions, particularly because they have given me very little direct information. Emails to my case manager are unanswered, unless they are calling me to just tell me more things I can or cannot do.
Did you do a comprehensive evaluation?
Are you back working? What was the length of time out of work?
Are the group meetings really like 4 times a week - and is it for the entire 5 years?
Can you apply for early release?
As far as the paralegal, I have issues with her as she presented herself as the lawyer when she called to bully me after I contacted DPH. Telling me upfront how BON never sides with the person the allegations are made against. That right there told me all I needed to know because how can that be a general statement when things should be viewed on a case by case basis?
I'm really happy for you that this has been a positive experience, maybe I just got the luck of the draw. But when people begin to use intimidation tactics, I get very invested in uncovering the reasons behind that.
Hi,
With marijuana, even though it's legal at a state-level, marijuana is still FEDERALLY illegal and considered an illicit substance in the eyes of any regulatory board. So, using marijuana without a prescription can get you in trouble. Sometimes even with a prescription you'd be refrained from it.
Now to answer your questions, yes, I had a comprehensive evaluation done, and I believe this is the same for everyone in most programs. I am back working, and I refrained from working for the first 3 months. Going back to work is basically up to your therapist in a way, and they need to tell HAVEN that you are safe for practice. For the meetings it's a total of 4, yes. You can petition the MRC to have your therapy reduced. MRC meets every month. Lastly, you CAN apply for early release, and they do not specify how early. But, for most stories I have read from people in haven the earliest that they petitioned to be released was 6 months before their contract was up.
I would suggest reading through their handbook if you haven't done so. Google "HAVEN handbook.” In addition, I am not sure if HAVEN completely takes into account contracts that are individualized or "case-by-case.” It does seem it's a one size fits all for certain situations. Unfortunately, the board does seem to side with the party making allegations. I hope this helps. If you have any more questions I'd be happy to help.
RNigothis
62 Posts
I'm really sorry to hear you're having such a difficult experience—I can relate. Connecticut is definitely known for being strict when it comes to monitoring. I wanted to share a little about how my contract is structured, in case it helps you get a clearer picture of what to expect.
If your case involves anything related to narcotics, it's typically a five-year contract. My requirements include:
>Six months of narcotics restriction (some can be throughout the whole contract).
>Weekly therapy sessions.
>Weekly support group attendance. (clinician-led)
>Eight peer-led recovery meetings per month, with at least four required to be in-person (the rest can be virtual, which has helped me).
>3–5 random urine drug screens per month.
>Practice liaison monitoring, which continues throughout the contract for any job requiring a nursing license.
The good news is that as you show compliance, you can often petition the MRC to ease certain requirements over time, such as therapy frequency. Admittedly, when I first received my contract, I was overwhelmed by how much therapy and monitoring was required, especially since I'd only been doing weekly therapy beforehand. But over time, it's felt more manageable.
If I can offer any personal advice: as hard as it feels right now, I would really encourage you to stick with it. The biggest benefit is that your license stays clean while you're in the program, and you'll gradually adjust to the routine. Go to therapy, attend your meetings, do your tests, and over time, it becomes part of life. Many nurses I've spoken to say the time actually passes quicker than expected.
I personally see this program as a blessing in disguise. I love being a nurse, and while what happened was difficult to face, this process has helped me get healthier and reclaim my career.
That said, I'm actually in the process of transferring to the Massachusetts program, since I'm a resident here and planning to work in Massachusetts. Their program is typically three years and, thankfully, they'll honor my "time served" from Connecticut. One difference is that I'll need to work as a nurse for at least one full year before I can be discharged from the program, but I've already connected with some employers here who are familiar with working with nurses in monitoring programs.
I truly hope you're able to stick with it—I believe you'll be thankful you did down the road. You're not alone, even if it feels that way sometimes. Feel free to reach out anytime.
Wishing you all the best!