TPAPN Success Story

[TexTPAPN]

Hi All!

I just wanted to give some support and info and let you guys know that while monitoring totally sucks, it is VERY doable and I have actually completed this process and if I can do it so can you!

I have been on this message board before under another user name, so I won't go into much detail regarding my story and how I ended up in TPAPN....let's just say I was pretty much railroaded into the program (and YES you CAN end up in monitoring if someone petty reports you), NO I didn't divert, and no I didn't get a DUI, no I didn't abuse anything other than alcohol ON MY OWN TIME. No I didn't compromise patient care or show up to work under the influence. And in the words of Forrest Gump "that's all I have to say about that".

But I would like to say that I found the program doable, if not super expensive. I didn't have to do any inpatient treatment and for that I am super grateful and very lucky; however I did have to complete a very pricey evaluation with one of the "approved" evaluators. I also had to complete outpatient substance abuse counseling, which in retrospect I actually found very helpful, along with the AA meetings (UGH). I had two very helpful and supportive case managers, and one who was pretty much no help at all (basically 3 case managers in 2 1/2 years), as well as a super awesome peer monitor.....and for some unknown reason I was actually discharged early! I'm not sure if it was because I probably should have been in the EEP Program (the short duration monitoring), or because I followed ALL of their requirements to the T (well for the most part, I had several dilute drug screens), or if because my last case manager took pity on me (LOL)!!

So after reading all of the horror stories on this message board over the past couple of years, I just wanted to say that these programs, while totally horrible, can be done and you can actually successfully complete them! I think all of the drug testing is not really "random", I think it is geared toward the individual and what caused them to end up in monitoring. I never had a hair, nail or PETH test (even though I was in for alcohol). Also, even though I had a few dilute urine screens, I think my testing frequency may have been bumped up, but I really didn't get selected for some of the super expensive testing. I made sure I went to each and every one of my AA meetings (ugh), I had sponsors, I submitted ALL of my documentation timely, and I made sure that I knew when my employer evals were due and bugged my boss early and often to make sure he submitted his portion on time! I checked in daily on the computer, and also with my peer monitor as required, and I never, and I mean NEVER took any medications or prohibited substances unless I had an RX which was submitted to my case manager prior to taking the medication and made sure that it was approved by her before I took it. Yes it's a SUPER HUGE inconvenience, but I certainly didn't want to risk it. I also made sure that the Talbot Recovery Guide was with me anytime I went to the MD to make sure that possible medications that I might need were not on the "NO-NO" list. I also made sure that all foods and beauty products were as low/no alcohol as possible. Again SUPER inconvenient.

I know this really sounds like "blah, blah, blah" or like I'm a paid spokesperson for the program, but believe me, I found that being super on top of my requirements, making sure I followed the directions and TPAPN manual as best as I could really reduced my stress about being in monitoring. Believe me, it really wasn't easy though. I lived in a relatively small town at the time, and found finding work that would accommodate my restrictions was almost impossible.....so I moved all the way across the state to find a decent paying job (and by the way, Texas is HUGE. we're talking a 14 hour move from my previous home). I lost my home, my car and my health benefits.....so it was a real burden being in the program. But again, if I can do it so can YOU!!!! Keep up the hard work and you will eventually see your way out of this mess!!!

[rn1965, ADN]

Thank you for your honesty. Sorry you were roped into a program with no real proof of wrongdoing. I have heard that a few times in this forum.

I am just finishing up my 80 clinical hours on my temp permit and awaiting my license and TPAPN orders. However, maybe you can answer this for me -- I scheduled the evaluation, because I assumed it WOULD be required. I do not have a case manager yet and when I called TPAPN to ask about it, I was told, "well, we do not even know if we will require you to have one". So, I was taken back a bit. I have been sober almost 15 years (I am a re-entry nurse).

But, will they just take my word for it? Have you or anyone in TPAPN ever heard of NOT being required to do the evaluation? Those appointments are hard to come by and I had to cancel it, so now, I worry that it will take forever to get another.

If you have any insight, please let me know! And congratulations on completing the program!