Positive UDS

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I tested positive for alcohol. Had a phone conversation with my case manager which was extremely negative. I was trying to be adult about it and own up to my mistake. I was met with her berating on my "lack of remorse". I simply said I could scream and cry and ask for forgiveness or just take responsibility, deal with the consequences and try to move passed it. She seemed very angry. I said I can't undo it, asked her if there was anything I needed to do. She said no, they will decide and let me know by the end of the week.

I suppose my question is, Is it the end for me? In Indiana is that it?

Okay I need advice. My CM said she wanted to talk to me about the pEth test and didn't tell me to schedule it. I've tried her twice, the second time saying if she wanted to just email me the instructions that would be fine. But I haven't heard back. This is post 24 hours from her initial message. What should I do? I don't want her to think I'm dodging her and delaying the test (not sure it's going to matter).[/quote']

I'd send her and email stating how many times you contacted her on this subject, your understanding that you are waiting on her instructions and that you would continue to wait on her instructions as she stated. That's it. You have to play "Simon Says" not "Grovel to the Nazi". Keep a record of it in case she says your blew her off and get on with your life.

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I just sent a very nice, professional email to the CM to let her know I was awaiting her instructions. As far as I know I haven't received a voicemail from her.

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Received a response. Apparently she's been busy and will contact me next week. So...how far back do pEth tests go? Asking for a friend....

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I've heard 60 days for a peth test

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Received a response. Apparently she's been busy and will contact me next week. So...how far back do pEth tests go? Asking for a friend....

i find 12 days to 3 weeks, please research, there were too many sites to site them all. good luck

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Received a response. Apparently she's been busy and will contact me next week. So...how far back do pEth tests go? Asking for a friend....

In my experience, it's 21 days. Where do you live again? Because these people obviously don't know what they are doing (which is to your advantage in this situation). What a pEth shows is a snapshot of your cumulative drinking history over the past 21 days. It's not a test for a one drink wing ding. If you had one drink and then got selected for a urine, tested positive and then went for a pEth, it would be negative. However, if you got completely trashed for 24 hours, or over a weekend it would pick that up as long as the binge falls within that 21 day window. I don't know everything about it, but I think there are metabolites or enzymes or something, they are detectable because of all the work the liver must do to process a binge.

In my State, the initial urine reigns supreme. If you get a positive for anything, a case manager calls you immediately and tells you to leave work. If they don't speak with you, they leave a voice mail that includes instructions to call them back, tell your supervisor that you have been refrained from practice and walk out of the building. These urines are not always accurate, but that's not their problem. It's yours. You are the accused, it's on you to prove you didn't drink. And even if you successfully make your case, you will still be penalized for engaging in what ever activity that caused the positive. I had a positive for Etoh, I had to be evaluated again. I pulled a pEth on myself the day I was notified of the positive. That was 10 days in. I'm glad I did it. I had another pEth at day 17. Both were negative... so was my hair and all subsequent urines. That kept me from being accused of full on relapse, I was able to at least keep my time in IPN. But my ability to work in Chemical Dependency was taken.

In the future, be proactive. I'm not talking about with your case manager. She's obviously drunk herself, to wait this long. It's to your advantage to wait, since you drank. But, if ever you didn't drink and have a positive, have a pEth drawn asap.

Good luck!

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Really rather not divulge my location. Well unfortunately it won't be 21 days. Since the 2 urines were only 2 days apart, I consumed the day after the first, more than a drink. It'll be close. Too close for my comfort. I've thought about donating blood but there are mixed reviews on that. I think I'm pretty much screwed. I'm going to be lit up by my CM.

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Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

I'm sorry but I find it incredibly-- can't find a nice term here- amazing that the day after you were positive- you got drunk. What were you thinking? Oh you weren't that's right. It's not your fault? Did you not consider that they might test you soon? Oh that's right, you were upset hummm good reason?! And what the heck ? About donating blood? Do you think you can just donate the etoh positive blood and be clean again?! Ok I don't understand. You made a bad choice and continue to make bad choices.

Hopefully counseling and other forms of assistance may help you if you really really want the help.

Yes I did the whole drug program thing after taking a med from a family member that I thought I had an RX for, but what I had was another similar med. Went through the entire thing with UDS etc. and I petitioned for early out and was granted it since I did not mess around with the potentials of food/fluids/ alcohol pads anything that might influence the test negatively.

Until you admit you have a problem, looks like you may continue making bad choices.

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Why would you continue to drink knowing that you just tested positive? Why would you drink period when you know they may perform random peth test that goes back 60 days or even hair test that goes back even longer? You don't seem serious or care enough to want to be a nurse & take this program like its a joke, anyways. Just let your CM know & surrender your license because I think you may actually have a drinking problem OR you're not even taking this seriously. Good luck.

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