mimifromtx

Cat, Yeah!!!! LOL, It must be Awesome to be "SOOOO FREAKIN SUPERIOR"!!! There is another thread that I'm finally done with because a participant was just really hateful and was so judgemental! He evidently knew EVERYTHING about monitoring. At first I thought he was maybe a BON or Monitoring program lackey. After reviewing his historical posts; he has a habit of trying to incite discord, has a history of VERY prejudiced and racially charged comments, and is very aggressive in posting his super great and all knowing opinions . He has a history of being in the military and "law enforcement" HAAAAHAAAA.. (Citizen's Arrest, Citizen's Arrest!!! Welcome Barney :/). Makes me really question why they are no longer in "law enforcement". With this kind of absolute TOOL in nursing, I'm really sorry that I ever opted to stay in nursing. I would much rather have a compassionate nurse with a previous history of substance abuse; than have an aggressive, arrogant, sociopath taking care of me or my family. And per your previous comment about nursing having those with "judgemental nastiness"..Yep.. that's why I sought out this forum to NOT deal with the nursing sharks, but to have the ability to get strength and comfort from those in the same predicament. Having a Horses' A** comment about their "Wizard of OZ" all knowing superiority (despite not being in our situation) , call us flat out LIARS multiple times, and just try to instigate problems makes me want to crawl back in my shell !

Well, technically you may be correct with respect to the BON requirements...however that doesn't necessarily hold water for the individual state monitoring programs. Monitoring programs are almost as bad as finding yourself in front of the BON. I personally ended up in monitoring due to a "concerned family member" who thought any alcohol use was an abomination against GOD. I never showed up to work after drinking, drank during work, or put my patients at risk. But this family member reported me to the state monitoring program because they were "concerned" my off hours alcohol consumption was "risky". So after a $4000 evaluation which showed I had no reason to be in this program, I'm still stuck with a 5 year program of $55-100 pee test 2 to 3 times a month. So again, I hope you never find yourself in this situation.

YESS Persephone!! I really think that those of us in recovery really need to guide those seeking assistance. Weather it be from opiates, booze, or curry!!! LOL! And alcohol is legal, and there are so many times that I have been at a meeting sponsored by a pharmaceutical company that everyone was drinking (which is why I don't attend those any more), and everyone showed up to work the next day hung over...including the nurse manager, the DON, and multiple physicians. So I'M SURE they all smelled of booze!!

Again, this forum is for those who have found themselves in the unfortunate position of substance abuse. I feel like the OP was reaching out to those of us who have found ourselves in this bad situation. I'm sure the OP knows they have an issue that needs to be dealt with. And as nurses we all know that we take care of ourselves last. Mean spirited comments are of no use, and we don't know that the OP even "put patients at risk"...and again, as my previous post stated, I certainly hope you never find yourself on the wrong side of the BON. No this isn't "happening like bad weather" but any transgression can land you in monitoring or force you to defend your license. I'm sooooo GLAD you are above the fray that you aren't worried you might also have a problem at some point.

This forum is for nurses in recovery, and those who are seeking assistance due to recovery or other substance abuse issues. While I'm sure you feel like you were providing an "honest" reply, the comments about "smelling something other than alcohol...etc" were really unnecessary. The OP KNOWS they have a problem, and is looking to find guidance from those who have been in similar situations. I really hope those who have decided to provide snarky comments never find themselves in the position of having to explain any type of issue to their respective BON's. Because weather you like it or not, nurses are PEOPLE, and have parties, use alcohol, some use substances....but many do it on their own time and get caught up in monitoring for other reasons than patient endangerment. AND unfortunately, we sometimes have used poor judgement and get reported or fired because of substance use AND/OR mental health issues (GUESS WHAT...although mental health issues should be protected, you won't get out of monitoring so good luck explaining why you're on Zoloft!). However, I hope none of you who decided to be *********'s with your mean comments ever has to report that you even have received treatment for depression (because like it or not, that will get you forced into a monitoring program as well), or have a mean spirited person who might decide to **** you and report you to the board, because that happens all too often as well. And once you get caught up in the machinery of the BON/Recovery, there is NO getting out of the problem. So all I have to say is GOOD DAY SIR (or MADAM), and I hope you don't find your own self in this predicament.

So even though I know I haven't done anything, When I am selected to test I obsessively check for my test results! I know that this is something I should just "let be", however I can't help but check to see if my results are posted! I was never really OCD or high anxiety prior to monitoring. But I really feel like monitoring has now made me have super high anxiety and an almost compulsive disorder!!! (BUT...;SHHHH I don't want a new diagnosis that will extend my time! LOL) ... it's almost like a PTSD disorder...and since I have no control over the "powers that be" it really gives me high anxiety! Although the AA mantra keeps saying we have no "control" and give things up to our "higher power", I just really spend 3-12 days when I am selected for testing with a rock in my gut and on the verge of a true breakdown!

I recently had a problem at the lab I typically use. The containers were all damaged, and I kept refusing the containers until they found one that (I hoped) was pretty much intact. I sweated and worried about this problem. And while I try to lay as low as possible with my Case Manager, The number of damaged containers, and the fact that the lab staff did not seem to understand the importance of this kind of issue was very troubling; I finally emailed my case manager to make her aware that there was a problem. She said that she would report it to Affinity (who manages our labs), and that they would "investigate the complaint, if it was deemed credible I would be contacted". Of course no contact. So all I can say is that despite whatever goes on in the specimen collection process, while under our own 2 eyes, I feel like we are responsible. I think it would be great to get some guidance on this process. Luckily, I had been doing screenings for a few months, when I encountered the same problem of the staff not understanding that a split screen is required (heck I didn't even know what that meant initially). And I got a newbie who just pulled out a single vial....and yada yada yada... I guarded the pee with my life and told them "nope, its a split!!!" and of course they had no idea how to handle this situation, as they had already entered my info in the Quest computer thing. So despite the fact that the lab should be held to a certain standard regarding specimen collection, I have encountered problems, and decided to be upfront with these issues with my case manager. Not that it really will help my case if there is a problem, but that my future is too important to have some lab tech screw up and me just sit on my heels. This is not a situation where you just ride it out, and ask for forgiveness later, cause there is no forgiveness. So I feel like all I can do is be super vigilant, and call out discrepancies as I see them, and then report to my Case Mgr so I make sure I don't get toasted for something

I would like to clarify that despite what my own experiences have been with the "Recovery Machine", I am not meaning to totally bash what SHOULD be a great way to get sober. I know that there are some who would never get clean without being sort of forced into a mandatory recovery program. I just think that there should be some regulation and over site of these types of programs, especially since there is such a propensity for a huge financial windfall on the part of the "rehab facility"... I just feel like, if these programs are allowed to be the "BE ALL AND END ALL" of recovery and sobriety programs, there should be a rigorous process to ensure that they provide adequate science based services, and that state and federal regulations should ensure participants safety and well being. Especially considering that professional monitoring programs and those required to participate due to legal issues are mandated to participate in these unregulated programs. I feel like those who must participate should actually receive expected services, have access to proven recovery methods backed by science instead of whatever witchcraft the facility deems is an acceptable method to make someone get clean; and the touted outcomes should be readily available for review rather than just be pseudoscience and some employee stating "Yeah Dude our success rate is 100%" . And the pseudoscience is extremely rampant. Horse petting, shopping, massage therapy, gardening, are all "therapy methods" that some of these facilities say work to get addicts clean. Heck, I'd LOVE to go to some "Rehab" and get horse petting therapy for 5 weeks, and be declared "cured" of my affliction. How many of us would go to, or send our family to a "hospital" for surgery when the hospital put their successful surgical outcomes on the 80-90 percentile, without any type of actual outcome based numbers to back that up? "We have 100 surgeries a day and only 5-10 die, but not because we did anything wrong, and those who died didn't pet the horse enough before surgery !" With that kind of self reporting, I could say I'm a 80-90% a great author, because no one ever complained about my posts on the recovery forum!"

So, I'm not sure what caused you to be in monitoring, which can kind of make or break your interview. However this is what I personally found to be helpful during the interview process, and in no way constitutes a great way to to conduct an interview, and there are many reasons why an interview may not go as planned or expected, and may or may not result in a job offer.... But, these suggestions are typically OK guidance.... 1) Show up early...Do not ever go to an interview sliding in on your heels, it shows you do not plan accordingly and may show that your work reflects a "last minute attitude" 2) Show up looking like you REALLY want the job! Just because we are nurses doesn't mean you should show up to an interview in rumpled scrubs. Business casual/suit/dress for an interview (even as a floor nurse) can go a long way in showing you are committed to bringing your "A" game 3) Answer all questions honestly and openly, and be prepared! Interviews often throw out weird or random questions, or ask for examples of your past experiences....Practice practice practice! I find that many interviews were tanked not because of my recovery participation, but because I was not prepared. There are many websites that can help you with interview basics. 4) Be prepared to provide some decent references. This doesn't mean just giving your last hiring manager (who may have fired you) or your BFF...you need to make sure you seek out people who will answer the darn phone, and tell the hiring manager how great you were as an employee AND WHY!!! 5) Of course, the question everyone wants to know how to handle... Participation in a Peer Assistance Program... This is the most tricky! I Revealed to HR, to the phone interview, to whoever upfront and got shut down on so many occasions it's not even funny. But my next piece of advice goes back to WHY you are in monitoring. After getting shut down or no call backs because of my monitoring, I decided to do my own tests. (What could it hurt). So I waited till I got face to face interviews with the hiring managers, attempted to conduct the best interview of my life, outline my accomplishments and strengths...THEN, only after I felt I had a pretty successful interview I would discuss the giant PIG....MONITORING!!!! And I casually addressed it in this way (which was pertinent to me and my reason for being in monitoring, which you will need to adapt for your own circumstances)...I said at each interview with the hiring managers that I felt like was a very successful interview....."I would like you to be aware that I am a participant in a professional peer assistance program. With the exception of ____(fill in the blank)___ This should not impact my ability to perform the essential job functions required for this position". Often I got an "OK" they had no idea what I was talking about, and I got 3 job offers with this statement. The one job that sought further comment, I stated.."I had a slight problem with alcohol due to my depression over the very very recent death of my sister and cousin. I actively participate in my recovery process, and I continue to do everything required to fulfill my obligation to my peer assistance program. All that is required of you is to complete a few quarterly documents, and ___(narc restriction or whatever)____and I know that I will be one of the most dedicated employees you will have on your team". And I ended up with probably the BEST JOB of my life!!! Best wishes, and any other recommendations are certainly accepted!!!!

The John Oliver Show last night addressed the Rehab industry nationwide. This included the fact that there is almost no federal oversight, many states require no license or certification to provide rehab services, the sketchy "success" numbers rehabs quote, the lack of evidence based practice in Rehab treatment, and the fact that urine is considered "liquid gold" among Rehabs and that this is a multi billion dollar industry. He frequently referenced the documentary "The Business of Recovery". I knew that this system was broken and poorly regulated, but I hope that the public can begin demanding action from legislators and the government to regulate this industry better. While we in Nursing Recovery have had poor experiences with the "Rehab Machine", this is affecting thousands of people each day, and the poor regulation and money grab is costing people their lives. With the exploding opioid crisis many states are facing, Rehab is no longer a place where rich people go to get clean, or a place the most hardened of addicts go to avoid jail. Its moms, dads, sons, daughters, families and professionals looking for real help to keep from dying and get their lives back on track. And the fact that professional peer assistance programs utilize these facilities and often mandate participants to attend these programs, there should be better regulation and a true disservice.

I am sooo happy for anyone who is able to find calm and be able to adjust what would be considered "family time"!!!! It's so hard to explain this stuff! I actually got off the phone with my oldest daughter tonight, and we are SUPER excited to plan a trip together! We haven't been able to do this for years! So I know that planning this trip is such a gift and despite not really being super involved in the past, we are going to have an awesome time getting this trip done!!!

So...My test came back negative... Thank you Jesus!!! However, this has really made me feel like I need to be super vigilant regarding specimen collection. I never really thought that much about it, but now I really want all of my collection receptacles to be absolutely tamper free.. But that may not be realistic! How often have we gone for our tests, and the split screen vials have just been sitting out or pulled out of a drawer, and how can those also be deemed "secure"??? I know it's really kinda dumb, but I feel like there are a lot of opportunities to have our specimens not meet the actual chain of custody requirements or be tampered with. I have NEVER been one to feel like there are conspiracies, but I will never NOT question the container given to me for drug testing!

Hi Uncle JoJo, Congratulations on being done! I think you have a pretty handy guide here, with a few minor exceptions... 1) There are A LOT of folks in monitoring because they decided to be honest nurses (Isn't that what we are taught) and landed in monitoring because of depression/bipolar issues. They "fessed up" thinking they were doing the right thing by being honest, thinking that even taking an antidepressant is the equivalent of "treatment"...which they were never placed in a facility or had a run in of any other kind, yet find themselves in a monitoring contract :/ So I really don't think those nurses screwed up or put themselves in that position (stigmatization of mental health issues is an ongoing problem!) And this doesn't even address the stupid things kids do in their teens and twenty's that make them end up decades later in monitoring 2) A VERY recent post on this forum shows that we can jump through the flaming hoops, diet and fluid restrict, avoid contact with almost everything including dirt, and still pop a positive UDS that leads to weeks/months/years of HELL! Our comrad popped a positive for ETOH/ETG/ETS, split screen, split actually even turned to "rocket fuel" as she said, so she went for her own PETH, yada..yada..yada.. and was shown to be negative. SOOOO...I really feel like downplaying the acute possibility of positive tests is negligent! Certainty the vast majority of the population in monitoring will not encounter these problems. However, stating that they only result from USING is downright false and harmful, especially considering the fact that these tests are so poorly controlled, and have such poor evidence based science backing the results (again...aren't we taught that EBS makes a test valid?)

So I'm really not sure what the Heck is going on. I got pulled for an Option 1 drug test today, and every single container was corrupted. The containers were Opened, had freakin plastic wrap over the the cup, were smashed and had obvious and discreet breakage. TWENTY TWO containers!!! I refused to use any of them. And the one I did use, I don't feel confident was actually sterile!! I did email my CM about this problem, but I'm sure I'll be the one with a "problem" instead of the facility. To top this day off, I got an email from my CM that my supervisor didn't email in my quarterly report. He told me he did. AND, my Affinity website said it was sent on 4/9/18. My CM said to make sure this gets done ASAP... well.......TPAPN & Affinity...YALL are the ones who switched to strictly online /email reporting forms which took us out of the loop....SOOOO.....again, we get the short end of the stick by not being able to figure out what is going on So how are we supposed to know what is going on when ummmm, almost a month after the fact our CM emails to say we are out of compliance???? HECK HECK HECK!!!

I know we have all been extremely interested in this thread, and have been checking it almost as obsessively as if were us who was in this terrible situation! Because like it or not, it COULD be any one of us finding ourselves having to deal with this very same thing!!! And guess what?.... I think I may be finding myself a fairy hair away from the same situation! I went today to my Option 1 drug screen. I use a local lab because the Quest here is too difficult to get in and out in a timely manner. But the lab I use has "Quest" specimen cups for drug screens. Every SINGLE cup she pulled out of the cabinet for my drug screen was damaged!!!! And I'm not talking, oooh it's a little squashed looking. I'm saying ALL of them had torn tops, plastic wrap on the tops, cracked pee cups, etc...EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!! I tried to be super nice and tell her, I simply cannot use this cup for a specimen because the container is damaged. Chain of custody is super important and I cannot be sure these cups are not contaminated. Please find a new one. 22 cups later she was able to find one that appeared to be intact. But from the looks of what she was pulling out of the cabinet, I'm not sure that this ones integrity wasn't also compromised!!! UGHHH