EtG testing - seems impossible?

Nurses Recovery

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Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

Eeeh. Might as well post this under my real username. I'm about to enter into the Kansas Nurse Assistance Program which requires monthly urine screens for three years. One false positive will get me reported to the BON. I know there are further gold standard tests that can be done but I don't think my program does these if you have a positive UA.

I've been doing some research on EtG testing and am wondering if it's even possible to go three years without getting a false positive? I can obviously abstain from alcohol. And I know about the obvious alcohol containing products like mouthwash, cold medicine, make-up and skin creams, hair dyes, hand sanitizer, fermented products like soy sauce, baked goods and flavored lattes...but my research seems to show that there are literally thousands of products that could possibly cause a false EtG reading. At least deodorants, toothpaste, and shampoos have to list ingredients -- I have no idea what's in my cleaning supplies or laundry detergent. (All of which are on various lists of products that could possibly cause a false EtG reading.) Apparently, yeast infections and UTIs can also cause false positives.

KNAP has been no help. They tell me to refer to the materials that they sent me but those materials are literally three small paragraphs on cold medicine and mouthwash, hemp products, and poppy seeds. I might call the testing facility tomorrow to see if they have anything more comprehensive.

But, like...this does get done, right? People have to pass these tests for all sorts of monitoring programs, probation, and to get jobs...but it seems like the internet (and even this board) is filled with people complaining about false EtG positives.

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I know how you feel! But there is a book provided to nurses in TPAPN. ( tx). Google the website.

I believe you can view it and print. It tells items that cause incidental exposure. Good luck.

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Slow down breath it will be ok. We all get to go through these hoops. All of us have our own story, could I have a false positive? YES. Do I worry about that ? NO. I know I am clean I do not use the alcohol hand rub at work I use soap and water and I do avoid poppy seed, but that is about it. I read my labels on cough syrup to get 100% alcohol free. The drug screens in this are the least of my worries cause as long as I do not use my higher power will do what I can not do for myself. You will be ok just don't use.

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Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.
I know how you feel! But there is a book provided to nurses in TPAPN. ( tx). Google the website.

I believe you can view it and print. It tells items that cause incidental exposure. Good luck.

Thanks! This is the main book that I've been referencing. I do wish they went more into food products because I'm being a tad OCD, I realize.

Talked to a woman whose 3 year program is up in July and she said that she could only think of one person in her monitoring group who tested positive who swore that she wasn't using. Said the worst part was actually getting stuff in on time. Missing a deadline, even by a day, is reportable to the BON as well. Made me feel a little better but I'm sure I'll be obsessing again once I have some down time.

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Holy Cow you need to relax before you have a stroke! Take it easy and don't sweat the small stuff. You'd have to consume mass amounts of these things to have a false positive, this includes the poppy seeds. If you're reasonable about consumption you'll be okay. I use the hand sanitizers, drink macchiatos, and bake with REAL vanilla and I've been alright...one year of testing actually. Do yourself a favor and breathe, be realistic and continue to live life on life's terms! These programs are not easy but they are doable!

HB

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Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

Thanks guys. :dummy:

If ya'all can't tell, I might have a tiny anxiety disorder that I may or may not have been self-medicating with alcohol to alleviate. I also have problems with control and letting go. Hoping therapy, AA, and going back on BuSpar will help.

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Those things will help, believe in that. ESP in AA, just believe it will work and it does. Slowly but surely my life is opening up. It became very small because of fear of...everything. Now it's getting bigger and much less terrifying.

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Wow, you sound like me when I started. Its all overwhelming at first. I found products I used daily, toothpaste, deodorant, etc that did not contain etoh, stayed with them. When I cleaned with products, I used rubber gloves, Work, I used soap and water, no gel. Food wasn't really a problem, but if you have doubt, skip it. Make life as simple as you can, don't worry about everything out there that can cause a false pos. find what you can use, stick with it. You have a long road, enjoy today, tomorrow will be there. Peace

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I had a false positive occur and have no idea what I had used/applied/consumed to make that happen. I called the MRO at my testing company and he asked me questions about my history (was I pregnant, diabetic, etc.). I have not picked up since 9-2011 and know it was nothing I did intentionally. I always make sure I can "fill the cup" so if they need to retest the urine there isn't an issue. He did however do me a favor and bump me to option #2 ( which I think covers the etg) I would request if they can always test for etg if this is a reoccurrence because with retesting comes more $$$$. Good Luck!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

wow that is me right now. my person at pnap told me i would have to bath in hand sanitizers to get a positive for alcohol. i have a new baby and use it after diaper changes when we are out and about. I did not know about latte and cleaning products. I feel you. i thought i was clean but have been medicating myself with a lot of benedryl for the past 2 years and I am now 2 weeks absolutley clean and sober...not fun and so not easy. Some days I am jumping out of my skin. Thank you foryour post it is nice to know i am not the only nurse obsessed and worried about everything.

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Thanks guys. :dummy:

If ya'all can't tell, I might have a tiny anxiety disorder that I may or may not have been self-medicating with alcohol to alleviate. I also have problems with control and letting go. Hoping therapy, AA, and going back on BuSpar will help.

Wow. I can relate with the anxiety. I managed to graduate nursing school and pass nclex with a physically/emotionally abusive combet vet of a soon to be ex husband. UGhh I hate Buspar it gives me headaches. It's going to be hard giving up my klonopin rx and yes truthfully, 1 beer every now and then when I need it, or "feel" like I need it. Life is an ass kicker and there are extrenuating circumstances that not everyone gets. Nice to know I'm not the only one that struggles with anxiety

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Wow, you sound like me when I started. Its all overwhelming at first. I found products I used daily, toothpaste, deodorant, etc that did not contain etoh, stayed with them. When I cleaned with products, I used rubber gloves, Work, I used soap and water, no gel. Food wasn't really a problem, but if you have doubt, skip it. Make life as simple as you can, don't worry about everything out there that can cause a false pos. find what you can use, stick with it. You have a long road, enjoy today, tomorrow will be there. Peace

Would you mind sharing what brand name products you found in particular that don't have etoh?

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