jmo1231

Oogie, that is awesome. Glad you are doing well. 11 months left for me and things are good. Life is good . Congrats to you!

I have been in the program for about 3 years and have 15 months left. I am in the program for a DUI in Pa. I have only had urine tests so far but was told it could be urine, blood or hair follicle testing. I did submit a hair test last year for some court /custody issues with my kids from the same lab I get my urines done . I have strictly adhered to the program of abstinence from all drugs of any kind (I never had a drug problem) and of course ETOH. I would advise anyone and everyone to do same if they want to complete the program . Hair tests can test for alcohol and do go further back in time as opposed to urine or even blood tests.I was told by my lab that hair follicle testing is the most conclusive for drugs and alcohol and in some cases can go back for a few years in time .

Oogie, I want to thank you for sharing your experience with all of us. I am in the program in Pennsylvania for a DWI as well. It was a bad time in my life and I definitely made a poor judgement decision that horrible day. I am in the program for 42 months and am 3/4 done . I have 15 months left and have been made into a better stronger person for it. All that being said I can't wait until this is over. All the emotions you talked about and coping mechanisms you developed are exactly what I have done and tried to continue to rely on my close and supportive friends and family. It really is a big commitment to start and successfully complete these programs and I want to say Congratulations too you and God Bless you . ??

Viva, I know you will be even stronger from this relapse . You are an inspiration for us on here and I know I and others look forward to your articles and advice on a regular basis. You will recover from this and don't be so hard on yourself.You have had a lot of stress and personal issues from what I have read from your posts. It's over now move on and get back to work ! The world needs you so get the rest and help you need and keep going One Day at a Time ?.

Mcrntx, I would go get another urine drug screen a Hair Test done at the same lab where you test. I would also contact an attorney ASAP. If you did not take the Temazepam then you need legal help and all the evidence you can get to back you up! Good luck and sorry you are going through this if you really didn't take the drug!

Wish me luck , I think you will be fine as long as you take care of yourself first. Hopefully , a nursing position will open up for you soon and open up a whole new world for you. This too shall pass and you have a bright future ahead!

Congrats Wish me luck! Keep up the good work! It goes by so fast . I always tell myself the phrase a wise person once told me. When we undertake a challenge in life however long and hard it may be don't be discourage by time. The time will pass regardless of how you spend it so it would be best to spend the time Productively and in your best interest . For at the end of that time You will be Thankful !

I sometimes have dreams or nightmares of forgetting to check in at the lab for testing ect . I think it's all part of the program out fears and worst nightmares coming true. It makes me realize how much I value my life and my nursing career and nursing license! I never realized before all this mess how much I had accomplished in life until I lost it! I never want to lose it again! I never thought I would take anything so seriously but I take this monitoring program very serious . I am proud of myself for the work I put it int the past few years. I have 2 years left and will be glad when it's over but also grateful for it! I am so proud of all you folks on here as well who are doing the same. These programs are not easy and not everyone can finish ! It's alot on top of the normal life stressors and I think everyone deserves accolades when finished these monitoring programs.

Gonesilent, it sounds like your wife is addicted to IV narcotics . I don't understand the dilemma with turning her in to get help. She needs professional help ASAP. She had alot of responsibility between her children and her patients and she's using drugs! What if she's high when she's driving the kids to school ? What is she makes a medication error at work and a patient is injured or dies while she is under the influence of drugs? I suggest you stop asking advice and call the proper people to turn her in because obviously she's in denial and cannot just stop using drugs based on your story. There's young children at risk and a waiting game is not an option.

Wkndnrse, Thank you for your honest perception and insight to where the nursing profession stands in our ever-changing health care delivery system,today....

Fresh Start, this must be so frustrating after 5 long years! Congrats to you!!! Hooray and good luck in your future! I would check your original contract with the State and email your case manager about why this is taking so long and the poor follow up on their part. I know you don't want to make waves but One letter from an attorney to the program will wrap it up real fast! Especially if you are in good standing and have been 100 percent compliant!

Torsades , thanks for the share. You are smart to move on from an aweful reminder of how bad addiction can make your life! Cheers to you for making a clean break and a fresh start in life! Keep recovery first and foremost and all will work out ! Good luck to you and keep us posted!

Hello all my recovery friends and then some .... I haven't posted on here in a few month or some time but something happened today I wanted to share with you . I have put my story on here before so I'll be brief with it. I have been in recovery for about 2 years from alcohol and a DUI. It has not been an easy two years as you all know but I have put my Sobriety first and Foremost so everything has worked out professionally and personally. However, I was cleaning my house today and came across an Elmo stuffed animal toy still in a box with a blue bow on it. This took me back to 2009 in the peak of my drinking and addiction . My boys and I were picking out names off the Giving Tree at Church one Sunday and behold we came across Elmo. My son was so excited to be able to buy Elmo for some child who wouldn't be able to celebrate Christmas otherwise . Well I kept promising him I would get the gift and wrap it but I never did. I was to busy drowning my sorrows in wine and Vodka and trying to keep my life together. Eventually, my ex husbands wife bought the gift and my son gave it to me to give to the Church. This never happened and I forgot about it because I was pretty much intoxicated if I wasn't at work and even at work I'm pretty sure I wasn't 100 percent putting it nicely. Well eventually my drinking caught up with me and I had a bad accident. No one was hurt but I crashed my car and went to Rehab. The rest is the road to Recovery where I am today. The Elmo was put away in my closet by me at some point during my addiction because I didn't want to have to wrap it and take it to church. Never mind of coorifice that it would have made some poor child happy. Anyway, the past 2 years since that aweful time in my life I have picked myself up and it wasn't easy as you know. I had lost my NP license because of the DUI. I worked for minimum wage as a Home Care caregiver, a Cleaning Lady, and a Babysitter. I was grateful for ever job I was given because I knew that hard work and perserverance would pay off! Well eventually I did regain my NP license, custody of my children back, and a place to live! I will never forget those aweful dark days of addiction, the broken promises to my kids and family, and the unsafe care I probably provided to my patients. The Elmo serves as a symbol for me where my Addiction can take me and I NEVER want to go back there! I have 2 years left in my BON program. I am grateful for being able to be working again and driving. Now my biggest dilemma this Christmas is weather I should give the Elmo to another child or save it as a reminder of who my addiction hurt the most! I wanted to post this today because I wanted to give people hope and remember Never forget to put recovery first and the rest will follow! Happy Holidays and God Bless!

Jmo1231: Happy Thanksgiving to all my recovering nurse peers!

Well said Southern Point! I strongly agree.Personally, when it comes to the BON state by state they all have their own rules. It really doesn't matter if what our fears, concerns, dislikes or likes are for the rules. We have to follow them or surrender our license. Its really that simple. I have had some issues as well with BON including not being able to take a very lucrative job. They wouldn't approve it and I had to find another job. I did and it worked out but wasn't to pleased at the time. There rules there decision. Anyway, that's the price I pay for making poor decisions in the past. 2 years left and counting but I am a better , stronger, person today.!!