Substances to avoid

Although i didn't have a problem in close to six years, like the OP and several others i have seen literature on etg tests with positive results (not technically FALSE positive as the substance they are testing for IS there, but it didn't get there by the person ingesting alcohol by mouth) due to workplace exposure or other factors (a diabetic whose glucose positive urine fermented due to mishandlingn etc).

I believe at least one (small)study was done with clients in a locked drug treatment unit looking at positive etg associated with hand sanitizer. Depending on the cutoff level used they theorized it was possible to be positive even without having used sanitizer if others around you use it due to inhaling the vapors. After reading that i started using purell again as it is used all the time around me and i wasnt going to tell everyone why i wanted them to stop. I simply watched what i ate and drank and I saved all the articles i could find in case i was ever positive. I wasn't, but i did worry.

I absolutely think a big problem in the treatmemt/monitoring industry is that the tests they are using are often not that precise and will be positive due to random metabolic variations here and there. My program had a very wise, dedicated and experienced MRO. I believe that is essential but not always the case. It should be. We have made mistakes but we deserve accurate testing and fair consequences. Just because we are addicts doesnt make it okay when a few are railroaded by the process.

To the OP and those in that situation who are scared starting out this is the best i can say:

First off if you have made it this far you have overcome a lot and likely have the grit to do this.

When you sign your monitoring agreement or consent order or whatever, you should be given a list of products to avoid. If you hear of something not on the list ask, but i would not recommend scouring the Internet for every possible problem. Make sure everything you can control like paperwork, treatment and meetings is in order and then do the best you can with the info you have. If there is a problem in many cases your track record and relationship with your case manager and/or attorney will work for you and eventually you will prevail.

Others had great advice on how to avoid alcohol and manage meds. make sure EVERY med/herb/supplement you take is known to your doctor and your program. Preferably before you take it or at least before your next test.

I would add to watch out for poppy seeds as they are on every list I've seen. They are in many baked goods that aren't obvious, especially whole grain or brand products. I once bought "berry bran muffins" that had no visible poppy seeds but they sure were on the label when i looked AFTER eating one. Luckily it didn't cause a problem but i was scared for several weeks. Scan the ingredient labels when you buy something new if you can.

I would say the most important thing though is to know that while there are problems, most people get through okay. Any false positives are usually resolved. Many times false positives don't occur even when they could. The majority of positives that aren't resolved and the (greater) majority of people who don't make it, are due to true relapse or knowing noncompliance. Some programs are better than others at this but many case managers do care and are experienced and will try to help if you are putting in the work. And having a good treatment team willing to help advocate for you and knowing how to do the reports the way your program likes is a big help.

Your first priority has to be staying well. Relapse rates are higher than the rate of most individual false positive causes and if you remain in active relapse you WILL almost 100% fail eventually. But although addiction incidence is the same (close anyway), recovery rates for medical professionals are significantly higher than average. Getting through monitoring is hard. Recovery is hard. But most people who enter monitoring programs do successfully finish and recovery rates for medical professionals are favorable. There are people who do get caught in the system and it is a problem, but the majority of those who start (according to stats I've seen) do finish and the great majority of those who are doing what they know they should do have records that reflect that in the end.

Also, it might seem silly to say this, but when you get all of your stuff (contract, any and all correspondence) read everything start to finish. Do that with everything, continuously, for the duration of your contract. Online things, save using either screenshots or pdf or to the cloud. Emails, etc. Everything.

I also keep a file of everything, hard copy and electronic; a document of any conversations I have with my caseworker, lawyer, anyone from either the BON or other related state agencies as well as copy/paste of each daily checkin confirmation number and whether I test or not, any problems with getting tested or the testing center...in short I save/record/have multiple paper/electronic copies in different places from start to finish with my contract. I do the same for any records related to Board or any other correspondence.

It sounds anal, but knowing what is in my contract and retaining records has helped me on more than one occasion.

The THCA metabolite is not confused for any other substance when sent for GC/MS quantification. Continue to take your Motrin and Prilosec without fear.

The THCA metabolite is not confused for any other substance when sent for GC/MS quantification. Continue to take your Motrin and Prilosec without fear.

High dose ibuprofen has been shown to provide false positives for THC using GC/MS in some studies.

Thought I'd post this as it would be helpful under this heading:

substances_that_cause_false_positives [Wiki Drug Testing]

Thought I'd post this as it would be helpful under this heading:

substances_that_cause_false_positives [Wiki Drug Testing]

Lol I think that covers just about allllllmost all fda approved substances. Oh boy!

Where could I find a list of substances, herbs, etc. to stay away from? Does anyone know if they test for Kratom? I've been using it to ward off opiate cravings until I can eventually quit the Kratom; however, I will be taking monthly tests very soon. Possibly next week and I would need to wean off the Kratom as I've learned even it causes withdrawals. I will be mortified and just devastated if I end up losing my license.

Hi there GreenFeather: I'm not sure about the Kratom. Usually it will be either in your contract or other terms if that specifically is not allowed or must be managed in conjunction with an addictionist.

As far as substances to avoid, see the threads above. Some herbs to avoid include poppy seeds and anything with hemp or cannabis oil in the ingredients, for starters. I also avoid alcohol based mouthwash, toothpaste, shampoo or soap. One recent poster also mentioned the use of ecigarettes causing a positive Etg. Avoid cooking with wine or anything alcohol (it doesn't burn off contrary to popular opinion). There are a lot of threads in this Recovery subform that have lists of other foods and substances to avoid.

I'm trying to get ahold of Atmosphere. The site won't allow me to pm you. I'd love to speak with you, though. Btw, I'm in Arkansas. Please comment here again or pm your email or something so we can talk privately.

Thank you for replying. I don't think it's a substance that will be tested for; however, I'm quite worried. I wish I could just quit it, but its been so helpful in keeping me from even letting an opiate craving thought into my mind.

My prescribed Naproxen for degenerative knee popped as PCP? ***** So they wanted me to refrain and retest or spend another $100 on further testing of the B sample. So I sucked it up and did not take Naproxen for 8 days, then they came back with nah we dont need you to retest unless it happens again?? Ummm what?

So you want me to possibly have a 2nd positive test for a banned substance that will definitely cause me to have another $550 evaluation along with a $260 blood/urine test which will extend out my 3 year monitoring to 5 years?

I am so confused and beyond irritated with these jokers.

I have seen the positive of TnPap, I have seen lives of good nurses SAVED. But I am having a hard time right now seeing the end of the rainbow; it seems more like a $$ making process rather than a recovery one.

*slightly bent out of shape, sorry for the rant*