PEth false positive

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Yep. Had to go for an eval because I was fired from my job(long story ) . Wasn't worried about uds, PEth, hair test at all. No drink in 16 months. PEth came back positive, and they are treating it like a relapse. I did nothing wrong. Trying to trust God and the process. Folks I'm here to tell you... The PEth is not an accurate test. I'll never trust it again.

Another update... So I went for a second opinion evaluation Friday. That was a big waste of my time and money. The doctor had his mind made up already when I sat down. He basically spent an hour telling me how I was lying and that the peTH test could not be questioned. He really wouldn't let me talk or tell him what I thought at all. This went on and on like I said for an hour. Every time I tried to show him that I was really in recovery he just started back down the path of how I needed to get honest and things would be so much easier on me.

This guy is actually friends with my sponsor in AA. He did say he would talk to him and a couple of other people but I don't hold out much hope. The session ended when I basically raised my voice to him and pretty angrily told him that he was going to feel like a fool one day when that effing test was proven not as reliable as he thinks. He got kind of pissed off and scared and wanted me to leave but I settled things down and talked to him just a little more before I left. Like I said didn't go well at all. Not sure what my next option is. Probably not going to be a nurse anymore.

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Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.
Another update... So I went for a second opinion evaluation Friday. That was a big waste of my time and money. The doctor had his mind made up already when I sat down. He basically spent an hour telling me how I was lying and that the peTH test could not be questioned. He really wouldn't let me talk or tell him what I thought at all. This went on and on like I said for an hour. Every time I tried to show him that I was really in recovery he just started back down the path of how I needed to get honest and things would be so much easier on me.

This guy is actually friends with my sponsor in AA. He did say he would talk to him and a couple of other people but I don't hold out much hope. The session ended when I basically raised my voice to him and pretty angrily told him that he was going to feel like a fool one day when that effing test was proven not as reliable as he thinks. He got kind of pissed off and scared and wanted me to leave but I settled things down and talked to him just a little more before I left. Like I said didn't go well at all. Not sure what my next option is. Probably not going to be a nurse anymore.

You did the right thing getting the second opinion. All isn't lost. If you're forced to go through treatment again, you at least have support at the first place you went. It also means you can continue to be a nurse. I know things look terrible, but all is not lost.

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as I wrote before I don't really have support at the other place. they want $15,000 for me to come there and see what I already know. I just don't have the money and the only other option is to go back to the Salvation Army. and I am not going to go there for another six months of my life away from my child. that looks like my options right now unless the doctor here in Gainesville surprises me. I was hoping this guy could see that I actually had a Moment of clarity. That I am now in recovery. That I am a change to Creation. But he was so stuck on his Draconian dogma of that peTH test being the end-all to everything that none of these things mattered.

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So I thought I would post another update to my Saga. I actually started treatment last week at the local state supported Behavioral Health Care Center. I actually called and spoke to the IPN Chief Operating Officer. I think she saw the logic in what I told her and mostly believe me. Still they're powerless to overrule that one barely positive peth test. The doctor and counselors ar this place already believe me and see how strong my recovery program is. Pretty much already told me I'll do 28 days. Plus they are allowing me to commute from home. I'm only doing Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as well.. So it's turning out okay I guess. Except for the fact that I have worked about 7 months out of the last 19 months. My retirement is gone. I pretty much given up on ever actually retiring with any wealth.

I will be required to have yet another evaluation after I complete this program as it is not IPN approved. Where that money will come from is anybody's guess. They could still say no!

This all leaves me with the continued worry about one day having to take another PEth test. If it could be false positive once what's to stop it from happening again?

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Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.

I find it interesting that IPN CEO claims they can't "overrule" the PEth....it was 20-right on the line-and while they can't change the result, they do have flexibility on how they handle those results. You give other evidence that strongly suggests you're telling the truth, so frankly, I cannot see the confusion.

I understand their position, but making a number instead of evaluating the entire picture of what a person is doing in their recovery, the final denominator; is draconian and punitive. Not to mention ridiculous.

Yes they could say no. Did you tell the CEO about how this is affecting you financially? Not that it will do much, but I think they seriously need to know these things.

Speaking of, I also suggest contacting your State Representative for your district. Tell them of what you have been experiencing, about your recovery, and ask them to intervene. Tell them how adversely this is affecting you, financially/emotionally/career wise. These politicians need to represent us properly, and need to be made aware of the impact of their policy making/decisions.

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My history is part of the problem. I have messed up so many times that I don't get the benefit of the doubt I'm afraid.

Sure I told everyone what this will mean to me financially and what it's doing to my family. They simply don't care about that. I can't imagine involving a local politician and this would do much good. They really don't have any pull with the Board of Health.

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My friend recently got a false positive on a PeTH test after not drinking. No drink in 3 years+. Lab tech was completely ignorant on how to admin. the test. She probably could have contested it initially but didn't, thinking there was no way it would come up positive. Now stands to lose her license.

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All of this is horrible and goes to my worst fear. THE FALSE POSITIVE. I think if you get one you are really just screwed because once we signed that monitoring contract we gave our asses and souls to these monitoring Nazis. Nobody can prove conclusively that they didn't drink or drug & we all have had prior issues so nobody is going to believe us. This is sad and terrifying at the same time because the repercussions are immense

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I agree, it's horrific. This has been an eye opener for me. Just keep thinking there's got to be a recourse.

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Curious as to if you are on Vivitrol. I had the same thing happen and the only thing I can think of is it has something to do with the Vivitrol.

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Do a polygraph test. If you really ain't had a drink in 16 months then you'll pass. It has to be from a board certified center. They cannot dispute the lie detector. It's available in Texas, don't know if it's available there.

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No, not on Vivitrol.

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