TrailRunnerRN

What are the current qualifications to be an evaluator? A lot has changed since I was in the program.

Hello, When I had my evaluation done in 2014, SARP gave me a list of approved evaluators in my area. If they are not providing this service any longer, I would start by going to the Healthcare Provider meetings in your area. Not only are these a great resource for your recovery, many of these professionals (MDs, RNs) have had to have evaluations completed and will be able to steer you in the right direction. I have been going to my Healthcare Provider meeting religiously for over 10 years. It's loosely based on AA and they have seen me through the worst parts of my recovery. They are my family.

Best of luck! I was in the program for 10 years. I am happy to offer a helping hand. Stay in touch and keep your chin up. My path is not normal, but I can help you stay WNL. Peace.

Did you find someone? I am in Western MA, familiar with SARP, and may be able to help.

I am not a fan of the PeTH test. Here is a link to some recent research on the sensitivity to the test. It is archaic and shouldn't be used absolutely for us at this point: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/9/9/250 I would ask for additional testing by hair or nail for confirmation of your compliance. Best of luck!

Just to follow-up/circle back/close this loop... I had a phone meeting with the MRO at Affinity. My PETH test was negative, but I still wanted to talk about the two positive urine ETG tests. The first order of business was, "one of the many reasons we can see a positive ETG like yours, is due to a UTI." I was so happy to share with him all the documentation for the UTI treatment. Someone here shared that a UTI will cause a false positive ETG. Thank you for that. Also, I am prescribed Carafate Suspension r/t GI surgery. It has ethyl alcohol in the cherry flavoring (which I found after some detective work). The MRO told me to stop taking that immediately LOL. OK buddy, slow your roll, you're 1/1 with the UTI. I'll talk to my surgeon about that. He asked me to send the label, which I'm pretty sure he didn't have on his "list" of approved/unapproved meds. Be safe, everyone! Stay informed.

I'm pretty sure, based on some solid detective work, I have found the culprit: Carafate (liquid formulation). I had pretty extensive GI surgery in mid-May. My surgeon prescribed the liquid form of Carafate r/t difficulty swallowing. I looked up the ingredients: ethyl alcohol is used in the cherry flavoring. I have been taking this 4x/day (40 mL) for at least 4 days before the first test. I will likely fail the PeTH test, but at least I have an answer!

Thank you!

One hour after I posted on this thread, I received a call from my case manager stating that my last two tests were ETG positive. I have been sober for 16 months. I requested a PETH, which was drawn this afternoon. I also met with my nephrologist yesterday and labs show I have a UTI. Does anyone know if a UTI will cause false positive results? I'm not backing down on this one. Thanks!

We shouldn't have to live like this. We shouldn't have to ask this type of question. I hate that these programs have reduced us to this level of fear. Together we are stronger ❤️

Hello, I have been working as a case manager/counselor in a detox facility since my license has been restricted. My company has been sensitive to my program needs and I am surrounded by people in recovery. They are holding a position for me when I can return to nursing. It's not something I ever thought I could do, but it is rewarding. It allows me to stay connected and use my life experience.

I take a prescription that metabolizes as a barbiturate. It always posts as "value out of range" first until the MRO reviews it. Then it becomes "prescription positive.”

@Tyson SARP staff also called my place of employment to verify I was abiding by my contract before moving forward with my CA-3. This is a shift. Never in my almost 9 years has anyone from SARP called where I was working to check in on me, what I was doing, or even talked with the Supervisor I listed. Based on my experience, MA-SARP is really getting it together both in how they are treating us and how they are organizing themselves.

Hello! I have been told I am the longest standing member in the MA-SARP program. God-willing, I should complete this program this May/June, having entered in 2014. I have had full privileges and I have started over, staying sober throughout. I'm not willing to get into details because I do not know who reads this board. I am currently weeks away from getting my CA-3 once again working in an acute detox facility treating the exact patients I once was. I openly told most of my coworkers my (edited) story thinking that was the best way to be transparent. This bit me in the butt. I found it hard to be stigmatized by some of my colleagues who were supposed to show compassion for a population that I belonged to. But a nurse?! Unforgiveable! There have been many changes in staff at MA-SARP since my start. I will say that in the last year, I find them more approachable and helpful. My last piece of advice is get a lawyer. I never thought I needed one. I can barely afford the one I have, but without him I would be in SARP eternally. I am happy to help!

You can reach out to me! She can find me on Insta with the same name. Happy to help. I joined SARP in 2014… and I am still going. I feel your sister’s reality. Take care.

Hello, Universe93, Thanks for that article. I did see that one, but I was afraid to post it because I could not get beyond the abstract. I've never had luck with PubMed articles in all the research that I've had to do for my master's, unfortunately. It does look like intriguing info, though. If selected, will you use this method? Thanks?

Hello, I have never been subject to a saliva test, so I did some research. I hope it helps! This is what I was able to find: Test & Time to clear detection: Saliva: 10 to 24 hours (no matter how much consumed) Blood: 12 oz beer or 1.5 oz liquor per hour per unit Urine: 80 hours hrs . Hair: Up to 90 days Take care. Here is my link to the source: https://addiction-treatment-services.com/alcohol/how-long-does-alcohol-stay-in-your-system/

I agree with @TIMFY. Please go to the doctor and see if something is wrong. I can only speak from my own experience. I went through a year of dilute urine with no defense, hair and blood came back negative. Each dilute urine created a violation of my contract - 11 in all I believe. I was facing near suspension of my nursing license and termination of my contract... and I was sober! I went to my MD who sent me to a nephrologist. It turns out the Lithium I am taking for Bipolar Disorder had caused me to go into Diabetes Insipidus (which explained a whole other set of symptoms). I got a lawyer at that point because I had to truly fight to stay in the program. I ultimately won, but not without a year-long fight to the death and three years added to my program. But had I not gone to my primary, I would never have known what was causing my dilute urine (I thought it was the post long-run hydrating?). I also realized beyond a reasonable doubt that the BON will dissect any reason you present until they get to the answer they desire. My lawyer is a gem. He is expensive, but I would do whatever I could to keep him. I wish I hired him many years ago. I am on year 7 of a 5 year contract and I have been sober the whole time. I have 18 months to go. Yes, there will be a book or a podcast or something when my case file is finally sealed. Good luck!

Hello, I have a long relationship with MA-SARP. If this is your first your first dilute urine you should be okay. You will be "randomly" selected for a test on two separate days that you will not have the COC forms for. These will be hair and blood analysis tests. This happens every time you have a dilute urine or any kind of suspect urinalysis. It's expensive at just under $400 total depending on your lab. You will also be called in front of the SAREC committee (SARP Executive Board) to explain what happened and what your plan is to avoid it in the future. You will get a letter from the MA BON notifying you of your meeting with SAREC. It looks scary. Don't get wrapped up in it. The most important part is the meeting date and time. It will also say "to discuss your participation in the SARP program," that does not mean they are going to kick you out... it sounds like it, but it's not. Also, they only have to give us 48 hours notice of meeting date/time. So expect a UPS letter to show up two days before your Zoom call (I would do the phone call option on this one). You can find a meeting schedule online if you do a deep dive on the MA BON website. However, you never know when/if you will be on the schedule. They are so backlogged, it could be three months from your last resulted test. If you have any other questions, please contact me. If you feel you need a lawyer, please let me know. I have one, and I wish I had one earlier in the program. Your case sounds cut and dry. You should be fine. Best of luck!

Thank you for bringing this delicate subject matter to the forefront. I have used an example similar to this in discussions in my healthcare recovery group so many times. Why are we (the so-called lepers of the nursing world) any different than a nurse who allows him or herself to become impaired related to low blood sugar, self image issues, or trouble at home? If I cannot count on my coworkers to take care of themselves, then how can I trust them to care for patients? Why is this no different than "what we did?" My husband, also a nurse, comes home from work and tells me a story every night about unsafe practices by nurses who are unwilling to take responsibility for their actions, or even worse, are never held accountable. And here I sit. Its been nearly three years since I worked as a nurse. I'm facing probable suspension (yes, I have a lawyer) because I missed two call-ins over the Summer?! I'm sober, my tests prove it. I have doctors writing me letters of recommendation, places of business begging me to come work for them, and a nursing career shattered because I asked for help some years ago. Something is broken within these "Rehabilitation" Programs.

@DBirrRNBSN I sent you a message. I can really relate to you!

I just went through a little bit of hell with a positive urine r/t hand sanitizer. I had to be tested by PETH and Hair Follicle (both negative) to prove I hadn't fallen off the wagon. It was the most stressful week and a half! There is plenty of research that supports the use of hand sanitizer and positive ETG/ETS in urine drug screens. One white paper is even written by USDTL (it's a bit old, but the research is still valid): https://www.usdtl.com/wp-content/uploads/whitepapers_etghandsanitizer_fd_010710.pdf These are scary times for those of us in recovery/rehabilitation programs. We have to be mindful of our own safety, but at what cost? No one is going to care about a positive test, no matter how much we try to convince them we're sober. Stay safe and protect yourself however you feel you need to, but becareful!

Hey, Cats, I could not agree with you more. I have had this conversation over and over and over again (mostly with myself). I have been a nurse for 9 years and probably have a total of three years of solid experience. I have been out of work more often in those 9 years for doing the right thing (staying sober) than I ever was when I when I was drinking and using. I fear that when I do go back into the working world people are going to overlook me because I'm nearly 50 and have a shotty work history. This is not how I wanted my nursing career go, but this is what I have to work with. I am walking with you, Cats. You are not alone.

Hello, I am looking for contact information for the lawyer that is always at the SAREC and BON meetings (the young, personable guy). I had taken his card at one point, but cannot find it. If anyone is working with him, or knows someone who is, I would appreciate the info. Thanks in advance, CFV

Thanks, Valerie! If this happens a few more times, I'll say something... I mean I know I asked for the alternative testing, but I'm going to look like my old Barbie doll soon. I knew I could count on you guys to help me through a challenging situation.