PNAP / drug testing

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Allow me to give you a little background information about myself. I am an ER RN since 2000. Three and a half years ago I found myself taking Dilaudid Wastes home with me. Shortly thereafter I found myself addicted. I lost my job, but was determined to learn about myself and become well again.

I Voluntarily entered the PNAP program, signed the PA VRP contract and the PNAP contract and was sent for out patient addiction counseling. I became involved with AA/NA. I retained a very expensive lawyer from Philly. (Because I was advised this was a good idea). I had no criminal charges.

For the last 41 months, I have jumped through the hoops, went back to work as an RN about a year into the program, have not touched a drug or alcohol, have never had a positive drug screen, have submitted all of my paper work, paid all of my administrative fees.

More importantly I have become healthy again. I have learned invaluable lessons about addiction and myself. I help others. I am active in my community.

6 months ago when I reached the three year mark, I was told I would be in the monitoring program for another 6 months because Pennsylvania didn't sign their portion of the contract until 6 months after I started....

Now, with 30 days left, I was advised I had a positive drug screen. The firdt in 41 months. I am not allowed to know what I tested positive for.

I take no new medications. I have not touched a narcotic since this became an issue for me. I have not changed a thing.

I am being told I have to explain this to the VRP and my problem is that I can't.

I contested the urine test and it was retested with the same positive result. Again, for what I don't know, but I really have not taken a thing. I can't even identify a food that might have caused this although I have a suspicion.

I am also being told that I may need to start all over again.... for yet another three years.

My expensive Lawyer (who had closed my case without even so much as a phone call over a year ago because of inactivity) tells me there is nothing I can do.

Does anyone know if I have any kind of defense here? Additional testing to the urine? Hair testing?

I realize some will defend a lie until the bitter end.... and I realize it is easy to be put into that category with my history but there are honest people in recovery and I am one of them.

Has this happened to anyone else? Suggestions? Thanks and Merry Christmas!

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I feel for you. The only thing I have tested positive for was ETG. I never drank. I tried everything to make is stop and my positive numbers continued. Luckily CA and FL at least tell you what you tested positive.

I don't understand the rational for not telling individuals what was positive

Did you just find out today?

The misery of being told that you are using drugs and or alcohol when you are not is worse then when I got in trouble in the beggining

Gabby

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Specializes in Psych, Substance Abuse.

I recommend hair analysis drug testing. Also, think about all OTC meds you might have taken. Some can cause a false positive. Check out this link for more info: False Positives on Drug Tests

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Wow. So scary. I hate to worry about drug screens. I actually embraced them as an intricate part of my recovery. Said a prayer for you today. I am sure many nurses here did the same.

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If you think it is etg, (alcohol) which is sensitive. Ask for the PETH test it is supposed to not be so sensitive and it did clear me.

Gabby

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Get a new lawyer. Immediately.

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Specializes in Oncology.

No advice, but I'm so sorry that happened to you! I've heard hair testing is the most accurate, but I don't have any data to back that up. I hope it works out for you.

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Here is a similar thread with suggestions also. Good luck that is really scary!

https://allnurses.com/nurses-recovery/tpapn-nurse-positive-851094.html

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Are you diabetic? For some reason I vaguely recall reading something about the sugar in urine can ferment and cause a false positive. Maybe speak to an expert in toxicology and see what he/she says and have them as an expert witness.

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That thread above is a nurse in TPan, which is similar to FL. They will at least tell you what you tested positive. I think pnap does not let you know what was positive.

The other example was a positive alcohol in urine. The excess sugar spilling over into the urine can ferment into alcohol in a routine drug screen testing for basic alcohol/not etg.

The nurse was diabetic. ETG actually then cleared the nurse.

I have a long history of testing positive for etg without drinking alcohol. They used to have 25 as the cutoff for positive etg. Most states now have 500. Look up about etg on yahoo groups and dr skipper. I was one of the CA nurses who were sent to 2 additional rehabs and had to start over in Florida when I moved due to faulty testing.

Your problem is you don't even know what you tested positive for, hair nails blood won't help unless you know what the results were

If it is ETG the only think that the state boards will let clear it is PETH blood test

Gabby

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Believe it or not Lawyer didn't help in either states. They can help before you sign a contract. The only think maybe the lawyer could do it help see what you tested positive.

It's amazing nursing boards and the programs they have for them, don't run the same way as when you go to court for a DUI and or other issues. They consider a nursing license a privlege not a right, and they can do what they want. But you should have the right to prove your sobriety.

Gabby

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I am so sorry you are having such a difficult time. I know it is easy to accidentally ingest food items that will cause you to test positive, especially if you are eating food prepared by others. I carefully study the menu when eating out but I have found myself unintentionally consuming poppy seeds, wine vinegar, wine or other alcohol used in cooking to add flavor. Perhaps an attorney in conjunction with a toxicologist could help you. The whole thing sounds very unfair. If you have had a false positive they should be helping you to figure out how it happened so it can be avoided in the future.

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