Non-negative drug screen

SororAKS, ADN, RN · Nov 2, 2016

A non negative, at least in the program I was in that used Affinity, means they ran a preliminary uds screen and had a positive. Then they ran something such as an Etg and/or Ets, for example, that resulted in a Negative. I actually had this happen to me. My urine alcohol was positive, then they ran both an Etg and an Ets, which were both negative. In my case, this pointed to the specimen being contaminated or poorly handled.

Ask for a copy of all specific test results associated with this particular set of tests.

I didn't drink either. If you didn't, don't let them intimidate you. Sometimes they will attempt to do that, overtly or subtly.

Ash2213 · Nov 2, 2016

Thanks for your response Soror.

I am so stressed out. I have been following the rules to a tee..I celebrated a year of sobriety sept 28. I just don't know what else I can do.

As as hard as I try I can't stop obsessing over what on earth is going on. The recovery trek lady I did get ahold of told me to call my caseworker and I am waiting on a call back. I feel so defeated

SororAKS, ADN, RN · Nov 3, 2016

Thanks for your response Soror.
I am so stressed out. I have been following the rules to a tee..I celebrated a year of sobriety sept 28. I just don't know what else I can do.
As as hard as I try I can't stop obsessing over what on earth is going on. The recovery trek lady I did get ahold of told me to call my caseworker and I am waiting on a call back. I feel so defeated

*Hug*

One of the things I had to battle with during the month long odyssey to clear things up and actually complete my program, was to remember that I didn't do anything wrong and that this had nothing to do with me as a person or the quality of my recovery program. I too had to struggle with feelings of defeat, and of being really scared of not being exactly sure of what the causative agent was. You're not alone.

Do the best you can to keep working your program, following instructions, and not blaming yourself. I know its hard not to obsess about it. I went through that as well, checking several times a day for communication from my caseworker, etc. Try to avoid that and/or set limits on the number of times you do check.

Keep track of communications with everyone you deal with. Brief, factual and to the point.

Most of all, remember that you have a year of sobriety. They cannot take that away from you. If you know you have not relapsed and have followed the instructions to the best of your ability, don't let anyone try to tell you otherwise or intimidate you.

Keep us posted.

Ash2213 · Nov 3, 2016

I was reading through your posts about your own experience..that is SO crazy! I wonder if I will have to pay for a confirmation test? I mean, I guess I don't even know if it is some type of illegal drug or if it is alcohol that is showing up. Or maybe it is dilute..or maybe the collector did't mark the temp..

My head automatically goes to it being alcohol because of the fear of alcohol I have! I guess if it is something else like meth I could laugh about it..well laughing about this may be a stretch.

All of this sounds so ridiculous as I think about what I ate that day, how I limited my coffee and water at work, and holding my pee on purpose when I left so it would be concentrated. Like, really, this is my life.

But hey, I am SOBER! :)

Big Blondie, ASN, BSN, MSN, APRN · Nov 3, 2016

I had non negative and it turned out to be dilute. I am in TPAPN also. I was freaked out too. It took about 2 or 3 days and they changed it to negative.dilute.

SororAKS, ADN, RN · Nov 3, 2016

I was reading through your posts about your own experience..that is SO crazy! I wonder if I will have to pay for a confirmation test? I mean, I guess I don't even know if it is some type of illegal drug or if it is alcohol that is showing up. Or maybe it is dilute..or maybe the collector did't mark the temp..
My head automatically goes to it being alcohol because of the fear of alcohol I have! I guess if it is something else like meth I could laugh about it..well laughing about this may be a stretch.
All of this sounds so ridiculous as I think about what I ate that day, how I limited my coffee and water at work, and holding my pee on purpose when I left so it would be concentrated. Like, really, this is my life.
But hey, I am SOBER! :)

Yes you are sober. Good! At least you don't have the fear of being found out hanging over your head and having to face a relapse.

That was such a confusing thing for me when I was going through my thing. I knew I didn't. but I felt kind of dirty, and scared because I couldn't figure out what was happening. They didn't share anything with me, so I was stumbling around in the dark wondering what it was. There were only two things that could possibly have caused it, one of which didn't for sure and the other I'm still not sure about. Point being, we become very very focused on monitoring every potential aspect of our lives, in micro detail. In my case, this took the form of not going out to eat very much at all, because I was worried about consuming something containing alcohol that I didn't know about. Not only did I not want to have to explain myself, I didn't want to be viewed as someone suspicious after having worked so hard for so long to turn my life around. One minute I was looking forward to finally finishing my program, the next minute I'm looking at my results on affinity speechless, saying aloud, "Positive? How? I didn't drink!"

Bottom line, as hard as it is, try and stay calm. I know that's much easier said than done. Stay calm, breathe, stay sober, and keep us posted.

poppycat, ADN, BSN · Nov 3, 2016

Thanks for your response Soror.
I am so stressed out. I have been following the rules to a tee..I celebrated a year of sobriety sept 28. I just don't know what else I can do.
As as hard as I try I can't stop obsessing over what on earth is going on. The recovery trek lady I did get ahold of told me to call my caseworker and I am waiting on a call back. I feel so defeated

Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary! That's a huge accomplishment!

Ash2213 · Nov 4, 2016

Well, my recovery trek still says "non negative" I have left messages with both my TPAPN case manager and recovery trek (@ RT, the lady stated they would call me back yesterday and haven't)

This is wrong to do to people. I do not know what is going on. I thought if we had a positive we had to quit working immediately. I do not know if they are sending this for confirmation or if this is the result. Either way someone should let me know something. This is a terrible feeling. I am so used to be in "guilty" back from my drinking days and it is so weird, I actually keep thinking "wait maybe I did drink!" I am losing it. Why post "non negative" and not just wait for a positive. Or a final result to clear me? I cannot imagine a confirmation test not clearing me since I did not drink or use anything.

I keep trying to let go and let God, I know I haven't done anything, but it is so hard....

CryssyD · Nov 5, 2016

In the program I was in (used Affinity), a "non-negative" meant the test itself was negative but wasn't counted "negative" because the creatinine or specific gravity were abnormal in some way (ie--dilute). It meant there is some possibility of tampering (from their perspective) so it couldn't be credited as "negative." A way for them to justify more testing, I think.

I'm sure you don't need to be overly-concerned. The lady who ran the testing site I used the most told me "everyone has a dilute sometime in the first year--I think they just tell you that to see what you say." She tested a lot of people--if she said it's just the way they do things, I believe her.

Ash2213 · Nov 7, 2016

Well, my test results now read "Abnormal - rejected for testing: fatal flaw"

I, of course, have not heard back from recovery trek or my case manager..being it's the weekend. But, to me & from what I have read, this sounds like they messed up..

I have spent the last 5 days, including my one weekend off this month, worrying.

Soror, I cannot believe you went through this for a month, that's so wrong.

I hope this means I'm in the clear for now.. sure hope they don't start testing me even more because of this!

Thanks everyone one for your responses.

SororAKS, ADN, RN · Nov 7, 2016

Well, my test results now read "Abnormal - rejected for testing: fatal flaw"
I, of course, have not heard back from recovery trek or my case manager..being it's the weekend. But, to me & from what I have read, this sounds like they messed up..
I have spent the last 5 days, including my one weekend off this month, worrying.
Soror, I cannot believe you went through this for a month, that's so wrong.
I hope this means I'm in the clear for now.. sure hope they don't start testing me even more because of this!
Thanks everyone one for your responses.

I think these things teach us important lessons. For me, it was most important to learn that this doesn't have anything to do with me, although it definitely did affect me. It was also critical for me to learn how to reach deep within for strength when things looked dark.

So glad things are resolved, at least for now.