Why can't we get a days notice before drug test day?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Float Pool Nursing.

Those of us in monitoring are probably familiar with random drug screening companies like FirstLab or Recovery Trek where you call a hotline or sign into a website each day where it tells you that you are selected for a random drug test. The random nature of the tests is obviously designed to prevent people from "gaming" the system by planning alcohol and drug use during gaps between tests, because you can be selected at any time.

However, why can't we have a day's notice before the we're selected? It would help many of us plan errands and so forth if we know ahead of time that we're going to have to drop by the lab site. Would it really be asking a lot if we could check in a day before the test? I don't see how this would compromise the randomness in any significant way. At the very least, why can't we check in during the evening before? I feel like people wouldn't be as stressed out if they had a little more advance notice and people wouldn't forget to check in nearly as much.

Thoughts??

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

It sure would make things easier if they did that! I know calling every am and having to rearrange errands, MD appts, and working could get difficult.

Anne, RNC

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Specializes in retired LTC.

I'm guessing they've determined that testing accuracy (an honest reliable test) trumps personal inconvenience.

You've a good point, though and it's sad that EVERYONE gets pulled in. But cheaters are still out there.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

Well here's the rub - some drugs have a very short half life and as such the BON's want to keep you on your toes so to speak. I get what you are saying but I used to call shortly after midnight so I could arrange my day. My employer at the time knew what was going on and she was great about my going at lunch if possible.

Why are BON contracts the way they are. Because Recovery is not about our will but rather changing the way we think and act in order to live sober. It's best not trying to over think it. Just do what you are told.

Hppy

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Is it just Texas or do other states focus more on who has been disciplined for what in their quarterly mailings than they do on education, updates or employment? Seriously I don't care who has been a freaking nurse imposter or who has been disciplined. Such a waste of space and paper. Give me something meaningful!

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Specializes in OR.

It is stating the obvious (at least to me, anyway) that in regarding these programs, you are a file number in the system. "They" don't give one iota about you, your recovery, your convenience or even the reason why you got sucked into the machine to begin with. If the nebulous "they" did, we would not have generic 5- year sentences for all who pass through the doors nor would we have generic contracts that cost an incomprehensible amount of money with idiotic, irrelevant stipulations that do nothing but prevent a person from getting back to work and moving on with their life.

My understanding regarding addiction is that if a person wants a "fix" (sorry, I couldn't think of a less inflammatory way to put it) bad enough, they are going to find a way regardless of how much notice is given. Also, if a person is sincerely trying to do what they are supposed to, irrelevant of the right or wrongness (is that a word?) of having to do it to begin with, the amount of notice is not germane to the issue for any reason other than our convenience and i addressed that one above.

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i 100% agree with the above. I am trying so hard to become a contributing member of society but they are making it so difficult.

It took me a year to find a job and they want to send me for drug tests that can only be completed either A: 2 hours away from my home or B: between the hours of 11-2. Then I have no choice but to call out MORNING OF !

This is a new job! They can easily categorize me as unreliable and find someone else. I have extreme anxiety over this daily whilst checking in. If you really have a drug addiction problem, I don't see how these programs would help. It's like institutionalized torture/money grab.

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But then it would allow for use of drugs with shorter half life and allow easier continued substance abuse such as finding different substances to abuse that aren't as easily detected.

Now thank god whip-its aren't detectable.

The more posts I see from you the greater concerned I get about your lack of accepting your addiction and committing yourself to recovery.

I truly hope you are able to change your mentality and give yourself over to the process of recovery that is so evidently needed.

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I get what you are saying but I used to call shortly after midnight so I could arrange my day.

Hppy

That is an amazing idea. I will have to suggest it to my friend!

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