Hi all. I am a recovering heroin addict who is required to take yearly drug tests along with randoms and also some for specific hire-ons. I guess what i'm saying is that I have taken a lot of drug tests. Since I started abusing heroin I have gotten past ,maybe 5 tests by other means. I have passed the 3 I have taken since legitimately. I started on Suboxone last August and my first annual (which is probably the most scrutinized) came up and I failed it. Let it first be said that I know nothing about the metabolism of heroin and never needed to until now. The Doc that I talked too who supposedly read the results, said they had found Morphine in my urine. When I told him that it was impossible he changed the story to something tipped them off and they sent my sample to Louisiana for further testing. There they found a substance called 6-MAM for short, at 13g/l with a threshold of 10g/l. He also told me that 6-MAM was exclusive to heroin and heroin alone. I have not used in over 3 mos. ( tested positive at my sub docs and have only used 3 times or about 4 grams for the past 9 mos.) but not knowing the 1/2 life or duration of this 6MAM I just basically went with what he was saying and didn't question him further. Well, I'm 3 weeks out of work with no way to make money and after 3 weeks I have to test again. Here's the problem. 6-MAM only stays in urine for 24 hrs. So what they are telling me is that after 20yrs of drug testing and with multiple tests passed while dirty that I became so stupid as to take the hardest test of them all less than 30 hrs (taking the time for metabolism into account) after using. On top of that I found that some labs have given false positives for 6MAM with people who are on Suboxone. If that is true I well may test positive again.
Any advice?
Who is requiring the tests: court system, employer for new hire processing, or your sub doc? There can be different rules depending on who requires the test. Additionally, there are tons of urine tests that have different sensitivities. And there can be different rules that govern how a non-negative test is handled. It sounds like it was your sub doc who hassled you about the 6-MAM.
For instance, if I am testing a new hire and it comes up non-negative, I am required to open the original specimen cup in front of the employee, divide it into two separate vials (opened from a sealed container in front of the employee), seal them with tamper-proof laminated labels, get the employee to initial both seals, and then send the specimen to two independent and different labs for confirmation. The employee fills out a form declaring all valid prescription medications with provider and pharmacy contact info that is then sent to the lab along with the specimen. I am not allowed to discuss with the employee any potential causes for the non-negative or give a personal opinion of the result. If the employee disputes results from the lab(s), they have the right to request a hair sample test to establish a timeline of usage, specific to the substance that was non-negative. If the non-negative is due to a legally prescribed or OTC substance, the result is then considered negative.
I'm not a lab tech so I'm not familiar with all of the metabolites pertaining to various substances so I can't help much with that one. If I were in your shoes, really and truly clean, I would make a big giant stink about the results. CHALLENGE THEM! It seems kind of sketchy that the testing facility stated that they found morphine in your system then told you it was sent to a lab for more testing. If they sent that specimen off without you witnessing the transfer of urine from the original test cup into the containers that went to the lab and it was sent to a lab without informing you, that's an invalid test. Now, if they always send everything to a lab for processing and they sealed it all in front of you that's different. Learn the laws/rules that govern testing in that setting, research anything and everything that could cause a false positive with regard to 6-MAM.
In short, don't just lie down and take it if you really are sticking to your sub program and haven't dabbled with heroin. It's bad enough that a history of drug usage brands us liars, don't acquiesce and hang your head in shame if you're on the up-and-up now.
For instance, if I am testing a new hire and it comes up non-negative, I am required to open the original specimen cup in front of the employee, divide it into two separate vials (opened from a sealed container in front of the employee), seal them with tamper-proof laminated labels, get the employee to initial both seals, and then send the specimen to two independent and different labs for confirmation. The employee fills out a form declaring all valid prescription medications with provider and pharmacy contact info that is then sent to the lab along with the specimen. I am not allowed to discuss with the employee any potential causes for the non-negative or give a personal opinion of the result. If the employee disputes results from the lab(s), they have the right to request a hair sample test to establish a timeline of usage, specific to the substance that was non-negative. If the non-negative is due to a legally prescribed or OTC substance, the result is then considered negative.
I'm not a lab tech so I'm not familiar with all of the metabolites pertaining to various substances so I can't help much with that one. If I were in your shoes, really and truly clean, I would make a big giant stink about the results. CHALLENGE THEM! It seems kind of sketchy that the testing facility stated that they found morphine in your system then told you it was sent to a lab for more testing. If they sent that specimen off without you witnessing the transfer of urine from the original test cup into the containers that went to the lab and it was sent to a lab without informing you, that's an invalid test. Now, if they always send everything to a lab for processing and they sealed it all in front of you that's different. Learn the laws/rules that govern testing in that setting, research anything and everything that could cause a false positive with regard to 6-MAM.
In short, don't just lie down and take it if you really are sticking to your sub program and haven't dabbled with heroin. It's bad enough that a history of drug usage brands us liars, don't acquiesce and hang your head in shame if you're on the up-and-up now.
To facilitate the interpretation, the heroin-specific metabolite 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) can be analyzed along with morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G) in an LC-MS verification analysis.
Dont think I knew that off the top of my head- -I cant even spell Kat- without spellcheck
In laymans terms - they are right 6-MAM- is specific to heroin. This way ,its fair for people who come up with a false positive because of friggin poppy seeds or some sh*t- - also the heroin specific test wont cause problems for people taking codiene for a broncial issue., or any opiate for legitimate pain-
Sounds like they went out of thier way (its not a cheap test)- or they gave you a bunch of nonscense- - Like Rosie sez- if your really clean> take em to the mat-
you can start with the Dept of Labor
the ACLU
Center for Mental Health Services
And the people I use when fighting an injustice at my klinic --(SAMHSA)
S ubstance A buse and M ental H ealth S ervices A dministration within the Department of Health and Human Services.
They all have 800 numbers- - good luck
jack
Dont think I knew that off the top of my head- -I cant even spell Kat- without spellcheck
In laymans terms - they are right 6-MAM- is specific to heroin. This way ,its fair for people who come up with a false positive because of friggin poppy seeds or some sh*t- - also the heroin specific test wont cause problems for people taking codiene for a broncial issue., or any opiate for legitimate pain-
Sounds like they went out of thier way (its not a cheap test)- or they gave you a bunch of nonscense- - Like Rosie sez- if your really clean> take em to the mat-
you can start with the Dept of Labor
the ACLU
Center for Mental Health Services
And the people I use when fighting an injustice at my klinic --(SAMHSA)
S ubstance A buse and M ental H ealth S ervices A dministration within the Department of Health and Human Services.
They all have 800 numbers- - good luck
jack
So I had to know what this was, especially when you wrote the suboxone was tripping the test, there is no way in hell bup would trip it, because it is derived from thebain, a totally different alkaloid of the poppy.
But I did find this very interesting to read and people need to know this because if it happened to you it could to them...
Recently, we have found several cases of false positive results of 6-MAM, the heroin metabolite, in people who were taking prescription Suboxone (Buprenorphine and naloxone). The other laboratories confused naloxone and 6-MAM, presumably because they have the same molecular mass. This is an excellent example of why all test results must be confirmed.
Here is the direct link to where the above came from...
http://www.rockylab.com/FORENSIC_TO...TOXICOLOGY.html
I would really be asking if they confirmed your test because what you wrote makes me believe they didn't because they should have caught this.
Oh must edit, if this is the problem and it is the naxolone, there is a simple answer, switch to subutex and well problem solved. You should be talking to your sub doctor as well, make sure he is aware of this, he may not be.
But I did find this very interesting to read and people need to know this because if it happened to you it could to them...
Recently, we have found several cases of false positive results of 6-MAM, the heroin metabolite, in people who were taking prescription Suboxone (Buprenorphine and naloxone). The other laboratories confused naloxone and 6-MAM, presumably because they have the same molecular mass. This is an excellent example of why all test results must be confirmed.
Here is the direct link to where the above came from...
http://www.rockylab.com/FORENSIC_TO...TOXICOLOGY.html
I would really be asking if they confirmed your test because what you wrote makes me believe they didn't because they should have caught this.
Oh must edit, if this is the problem and it is the naxolone, there is a simple answer, switch to subutex and well problem solved. You should be talking to your sub doctor as well, make sure he is aware of this, he may not be.
Misty or anyone else- How do they confirm a drug test to be able to tell if its
Heroin or Naxolone ? I am going to challenge them I am just making sure that I know what I'm talking about because I'm running into the stereotyping with every call. Junkies are all liars and no one will talk further to me. Unreal.
I have no idea how drug testing works but I would call the lab that did yours and ask what procedure is when a test initially comes up positive.
I wonder if your sub doctor would schedule you for a test the same day work does. See I would be looking to get one somewhere else and see what their results are.
You are the first person I have ever heard fail a test on Suboxone, and my husband was subject to so many on them because of his job and all random and never failed. They weren't all through the same lab either.
You might also want to check out naabt, it is the best resource for anyone on sub...
http://www.naabt.org/
I wonder if your sub doctor would schedule you for a test the same day work does. See I would be looking to get one somewhere else and see what their results are.
You are the first person I have ever heard fail a test on Suboxone, and my husband was subject to so many on them because of his job and all random and never failed. They weren't all through the same lab either.
You might also want to check out naabt, it is the best resource for anyone on sub...
http://www.naabt.org/
Just called SAMHSA, as Jack suggested, and while not able to help answer questions I have they gave me a course of action to take. First of which is to find out how a test is confirmed and if mine was. Also gave me phone numbers of centers in my area that can give me info on drug tests and how they must be done.
also calling the link you gave on the Bup.. they have a help line and may be able to shed some light on narcan and 6-mam.
How about the lab too that is picking up the 6-mam/naxolone discrepancy. This is there number 970-266-8108.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
just called the lab you gave the # for and they want me to send a copy of the test results to them and if it was not done as it should have been then they are going to help me. meaning suggesting a lawyer and providing a correct path that should be or have been taken when dealing with 6-mam.
Again good luck and come back and let me know how things work out.
This board is the very definition of awesomeness. Crazy smart people here. I can't wait to find out how this winds up. Could be we have a budding advocate in our midst...
Good on ya for fighting, brother.
Good on ya for fighting, brother.
WOW...Im really impressed ! Please let us know what happens...I wasn't aware there was that much help out there.. that's awesome...keep us posted please
Con
Con
Glad we could help my brother- - Follow up & keep us informed
no justice- no peace-
with respect
jack
no justice- no peace-
with respect
jack
i just googled 6-mam drug test and found your site. I am also a suboxine patient and I tested positive for 6mam. There is no possible way that could be true. I have been clean since July2012. My suboxine doctor did not become alarmed over the positive results, however, now I am fighting a custody battle. I wasn't even aware of the positive results until they were presented as evidence against me in court. anyone who has any further information on false-positives please give your two cents !!! I need help finding evidence that they occur....
Sorry someone has not responded to your post Terri....as I am not knowledgeable with what is happening to you I cannot advise you, but I would do what the posts above yours has done.
Call SAMHSA and have them direct you on what to do and who can help you.
Child custody is an important issue and you need all the big guns to help you. Stay clean, get your kids and enjoy your life and all that you may have missed. Don't let some ignoramous throw you under the bus!
Good luck!
granny
Call SAMHSA and have them direct you on what to do and who can help you.
Child custody is an important issue and you need all the big guns to help you. Stay clean, get your kids and enjoy your life and all that you may have missed. Don't let some ignoramous throw you under the bus!
Good luck!
granny
I just got the results of a hair test. Failed for 6-MAM only using suboxone. I never used heroin. Anyone please post any ideas I'm only starting my research now.
Hi guys,
First I'd like to say congrats to all of you for getting clean, amazing. 2nd, I ended up here quite by accident & do not have a substance abuse problem or history. I have though been in & out of pain management clinics for the last 12 yrs. i am really sensitive to many pain meds in that many of them give me horrible anxiety & other issues w/how my body reacts to these meds. I've been thru h Lo & back w/a couple of the pain clinics in my area, they royally screwed up & inadvertently I would get labeled/stereotyped even though I never once have had any issues w/early refills, doing something diff than my doc ordered, etc. for all intents I was a good patient. Its unbelievable how people are treated by the medical profession, all disabled people who happen to require a pain doc are junkies & junkies are bad people.
Anyhow because of getting the life scared out of me w/what the pain clinics had done & my issues w/how these mess were effecting my body I decided to find a pain doc who also had a background w/substance abuse. I figured if anyone would know about all these meds doc's prescribe, some who haven't a clue about all the bad side effects, then a doc w/these credentials surely must.
I found one of the best doc's I'd ever had. Because of the symptoms I told him I was having he had me try buperenorphine for my pain. Wow, worked great & the only bad side effect was when I had a bad flare up I could no longer take break thru meds but the benefits far outweighed the negatives. I was put on a couple other non opiate mess to help deal with the symptoms caused by the chronic pain I have. I never failed a test except 1 time when his office started using a new lab. Well by then my doc knew me real well, knew I didn't do anything wrong thank God but I was still perplexed non the less. I really feel for anyone who has to deal w/that because whether your a pain patient or a former user you ARE guilty until you go thru a ton of work, stress & sorrow to prove your innocence.
FF 6 yrs. my doc becomes really well known in my area for being so great & his substance abuse program side of his practice had blown up into a large practice. He ended up going solely into it & I never saw him for that so I lost him as my doc. I was crushed. With how hard it was, still is, to find a doc & the way health care is now I was afraid to go find a new pain doc. Thought I could deal w/it on my own. Well unfortunately my health deteriorated & I ended up in crisis w/it. Now when I desperately need a pain doc & someone to help me until I find one, I couldn't get anyone to help me for quite some time & suffered tremendously.
Then I finally get in the doors of a pain clinic that I actually knew the head doc from 10yrs prior. I'd seen him for about a year after my 1st major spine reconstive surgery, he even remembered me. I was a good patient back then, I figured since he did remember me & I was being honest I was okay. I told him at my now 1st appointment that I'd taken some meds i had left over from my old doc, told him I was currently w/o a doc, had been for 2yrs & that's why I was there. I was a wreck w/pain & other symptoms. Ofcourse they did a urine test, I thought nothing of it cause I knew I did nothing wrong. They're policy is that they don't give scripts on the 1st appt & my urine test come back. Okay.
A week goes by & I hear nothing. Then 2 & nada. I call in to find out what the hold up was. I'm then told that I showed positive for dilaudid, a med I've only ever had while in the hospital after surgery. The last major surgery I've had was 10 yrs ago! I was dumbfounded & had no clue what to say. They then proceed to tell me they can't see me. I ask why, they say because of my test. I said well 1st you can easily look into your data base & see the mess I've been scribed & when which will show you I've never been scripted that med. I said why would I tell you everything I had taken & leave out 1 detail, I haven't done anything wrong, I haven't been under a docs care for 2 yrs & the only thing I had was a bit of left over meds from my old doc. I was 100% honest. They knew at this point I was in desperate need of a doc, I had no reason to lie
It didn't matter what I said they wouldn't see me. So very upset I google the mess I had taken & sure enough the combo of things I happened to take could easily throw a false positive for dilaudid. If I could Google that info, why the heck didn't they as professionals know that was a very viable possibility & atleast confirm my test? Now I'm wondering if this info is in my permanent records that are following me all over the place? Months later I got in to another pain clinic & in all honesty a better clinic but I was still very upset as I pride myself in being an honest person, I def don't lie to my docs, I sure,y didn't lie to them. Even if They had done the right thing by me or I had been able to get them to I'm not sure I could ever trust them.
I guess I'm curious to know if months later there is anything I can do about getting that out of my records as I'm currently insured through the state & believe technically there is no privacy w/records when it comes to insurance, other docs, etc.
Last, it really makes me upset at the way people are treated now a days & that we have almost no say on all of the repercussions we end up dealing with, suffering with due to anothers, in this case health care providers/docs, behavior, actions or lack there of. I've had to go thru hell of various kinds due to some of my past docs, I hear horror stories from other people of all kinds & ive witnessed 1st hand the ill effects of what lack of care a doc gave a very sick, disabled lady friend of mine which resulted in a very kind, sweet, normal, sane, 60 something yr old church going woman to commit suicide. It shouldn't be so difficult.
Anyhow, just thought I'd chime in after stumbling upon your site & reading. I'd love feedback if possible, I'm from the PNW area. Congrats to all of you again in your recoveries!
First I'd like to say congrats to all of you for getting clean, amazing. 2nd, I ended up here quite by accident & do not have a substance abuse problem or history. I have though been in & out of pain management clinics for the last 12 yrs. i am really sensitive to many pain meds in that many of them give me horrible anxiety & other issues w/how my body reacts to these meds. I've been thru h Lo & back w/a couple of the pain clinics in my area, they royally screwed up & inadvertently I would get labeled/stereotyped even though I never once have had any issues w/early refills, doing something diff than my doc ordered, etc. for all intents I was a good patient. Its unbelievable how people are treated by the medical profession, all disabled people who happen to require a pain doc are junkies & junkies are bad people.
Anyhow because of getting the life scared out of me w/what the pain clinics had done & my issues w/how these mess were effecting my body I decided to find a pain doc who also had a background w/substance abuse. I figured if anyone would know about all these meds doc's prescribe, some who haven't a clue about all the bad side effects, then a doc w/these credentials surely must.
I found one of the best doc's I'd ever had. Because of the symptoms I told him I was having he had me try buperenorphine for my pain. Wow, worked great & the only bad side effect was when I had a bad flare up I could no longer take break thru meds but the benefits far outweighed the negatives. I was put on a couple other non opiate mess to help deal with the symptoms caused by the chronic pain I have. I never failed a test except 1 time when his office started using a new lab. Well by then my doc knew me real well, knew I didn't do anything wrong thank God but I was still perplexed non the less. I really feel for anyone who has to deal w/that because whether your a pain patient or a former user you ARE guilty until you go thru a ton of work, stress & sorrow to prove your innocence.
FF 6 yrs. my doc becomes really well known in my area for being so great & his substance abuse program side of his practice had blown up into a large practice. He ended up going solely into it & I never saw him for that so I lost him as my doc. I was crushed. With how hard it was, still is, to find a doc & the way health care is now I was afraid to go find a new pain doc. Thought I could deal w/it on my own. Well unfortunately my health deteriorated & I ended up in crisis w/it. Now when I desperately need a pain doc & someone to help me until I find one, I couldn't get anyone to help me for quite some time & suffered tremendously.
Then I finally get in the doors of a pain clinic that I actually knew the head doc from 10yrs prior. I'd seen him for about a year after my 1st major spine reconstive surgery, he even remembered me. I was a good patient back then, I figured since he did remember me & I was being honest I was okay. I told him at my now 1st appointment that I'd taken some meds i had left over from my old doc, told him I was currently w/o a doc, had been for 2yrs & that's why I was there. I was a wreck w/pain & other symptoms. Ofcourse they did a urine test, I thought nothing of it cause I knew I did nothing wrong. They're policy is that they don't give scripts on the 1st appt & my urine test come back. Okay.
A week goes by & I hear nothing. Then 2 & nada. I call in to find out what the hold up was. I'm then told that I showed positive for dilaudid, a med I've only ever had while in the hospital after surgery. The last major surgery I've had was 10 yrs ago! I was dumbfounded & had no clue what to say. They then proceed to tell me they can't see me. I ask why, they say because of my test. I said well 1st you can easily look into your data base & see the mess I've been scribed & when which will show you I've never been scripted that med. I said why would I tell you everything I had taken & leave out 1 detail, I haven't done anything wrong, I haven't been under a docs care for 2 yrs & the only thing I had was a bit of left over meds from my old doc. I was 100% honest. They knew at this point I was in desperate need of a doc, I had no reason to lie
It didn't matter what I said they wouldn't see me. So very upset I google the mess I had taken & sure enough the combo of things I happened to take could easily throw a false positive for dilaudid. If I could Google that info, why the heck didn't they as professionals know that was a very viable possibility & atleast confirm my test? Now I'm wondering if this info is in my permanent records that are following me all over the place? Months later I got in to another pain clinic & in all honesty a better clinic but I was still very upset as I pride myself in being an honest person, I def don't lie to my docs, I sure,y didn't lie to them. Even if They had done the right thing by me or I had been able to get them to I'm not sure I could ever trust them.
I guess I'm curious to know if months later there is anything I can do about getting that out of my records as I'm currently insured through the state & believe technically there is no privacy w/records when it comes to insurance, other docs, etc.
Last, it really makes me upset at the way people are treated now a days & that we have almost no say on all of the repercussions we end up dealing with, suffering with due to anothers, in this case health care providers/docs, behavior, actions or lack there of. I've had to go thru hell of various kinds due to some of my past docs, I hear horror stories from other people of all kinds & ive witnessed 1st hand the ill effects of what lack of care a doc gave a very sick, disabled lady friend of mine which resulted in a very kind, sweet, normal, sane, 60 something yr old church going woman to commit suicide. It shouldn't be so difficult.
Anyhow, just thought I'd chime in after stumbling upon your site & reading. I'd love feedback if possible, I'm from the PNW area. Congrats to all of you again in your recoveries!
WARNING: LONG POST (see last two paragraphs for my question if you don't want to read the rest)
Hi guys, sorry to revive an old thread but having just signed up I was unsure of the rules and since this thread covers the contents of this post I thought I would just do it in here.
SP, I just read through your situation and I have to say, I really feel for you. It's awful how the pain clinic went about things after your test came back as a false-positive. Cutting off contact without even a phone call?? And with minimal explanation other than "we can't see you because your test was positive"? It fills me with great confidence (yeah, right...) to know that people that work in what is considered to be one of the most important and intelligent profession's deal with these issues so unprofessionally, as well as being just outright rude. As it's been said, junkie's and pain med users are automatically liars and bad people so I guess it's fine for the oh so righteous professional's to treat us that way. If only the world could just be a little less judgemental, and a little more understanding. A man can dream I guess.
That all being said I would be interesting to know if there has been any developments?
A little backstory about me:
Anyway, on the subject of this post, my name is George and I'm a 24 year old recovering heroin addict from the UK. I hit rock bottom roughly 12 months ago, when I developed deep thrombosis and cellulitis in my left leg and proceeded to be hospitalised for 3 weeks. This was one of the most terrible experiences of my life; I began to enter withdrawal, my leg swelled up to twice the size of the other, I feared the worst and thought it may have to be amputated, and all I could do was reflect on where I was before opiates, and where I'd ended up after them. My Dad could no longer deal with my lies and drug seeking behaviour and proceeded to kick me out of the house, meaning that I didn't have anywhere to go once I got discharged from hospital.
After what seemed like weeks (but was only 4 days) of a deep regret, sorrow, dark depressive thoughts, even suicidal thoughts, and no hope for the future I was finally started on Methadone which seemed like an absolute godsend. Usually in the UK, it would take months from starting the process to get started on a maintenance program, so I guess a silver lining of the whole ordeal was that the hospital was able to start me up on it straight away, and get me straight into a program on discharge. Once it started to kick in after a few more days, the depression slowly faded, the WDs ceased, and I slowly turned into someone who went from being a bedridden, agonising mess who slept as much as possible and didn't know who he was anymore, into a much brighter and sociable fellow who most importantly, started to regain his humanity as well as a little ray of hope.
After hospital he managed to get a room in a hostel, where he stayed for three months. Overall, I had somewhere to stay but it was generally the worst possible environment possible for me. Every other person there was a user, and and most displayed the type of behaviour I was trying so hard to escape from. In the end, my grandparents decided to invite me to live with them which was an absolute godsend. I got settled in with them, and I'm still there now. During my stay at the hostel, I decided that I wanted to go to university and study for a degree in computer science, which would give me the opportunity to better my life and start a career after finishing. To do this, I needed to study at college for a year to get the grades needed for uni. Fast-forward to now, I have been attending college since September and am now 4 weeks away from finishing the course. I have been offered a place at the University of Leeds, which is in the top 20 university's in the country. I couldn't be happier and I just have 4 more weeks of hard work and commitment to get the grades I need.
As for my methadone, initially I worked up to 80mg which was a more than comfortable dose for me. It was too much actually; I still felt opiated and would fall asleep very early every night without even realising I was tired. Since then, I have tapered down, initially to 60mg where I stayed for a while, then down to 45mg, and from that I am currently on 25mg. I'm entirely comfortable with this dose and feel proud of myself for getting this far.
My hope is to come of opiates completely before university, with a switch to buprenorphine when I finish college and then hopefully proceed to do a fast taper over roughly a 4-6 week period. I'm hopeful I can do it, and really want to do it, but if when it comes to it and I am finding it too hard, I'm prepared to face the fact that I may have to stay on bupe for a little while longer. The only thing that I feel might be a hassle with that is getting referred to a new clinic when I move to uni, and losing my weekly takeout's and starting a daily clinic visit every day. I can't really see this working with being at uni, I don't wanna be tied down with always having to get to the pharmacy, and if it could be helped I would rather leave all this behind me and initially, not have to share this part of me with friends I make if it can be helped.
Now, to the part relating to this post: I've been clean for months, I use my methadone daily at around the same time, have a glass of wine occasionally, smoke, and that is literally it. I get mouth swabbed every two weeks when I see my drug worker. The last test I had came back positive for the heroin metabolite 6-MAM, which had be genuinely shocked. I haven't been near it in so long, so it simply isn't possible. Even more confusing is that a few days prior to the test, whilst doing a room clear-out I found a used strip of diazepam with a single 10mg pill left in it. I ate it one evening, which to me was nothing more than something akin to having a beer. I've never used benzo's frequently, and have never felt the urge too. Since I've found that honesty is the best policy with drug workers, I was completely open about this. Plus due to it only being 3 days before the swab, it should have easily been detected in the test due to it's long half life. The funny thing is, it came back negative. So the test comes back negative for something I've taken, and positive for something I haven't? Hmmm, confused? Yep.
Also, 6-mam only hangs around in saliva for ~1/2 days. I would have needed to take it directly before the test. I simply wouldn't be stupid enough to do this, as it means losing my takeouts and being held on my reduction. Besides, I haven't used for months as it is. My drug worker says she believes me as she said that my reaction was completely genuine, I just hope that she's telling the truth. I have offered to do a urine test if the next one is the same, although as I meet her in an NHS building away from the clinic there isn't the facilities to do this. I will also ask if a hair strand test is possible. As she 'believes' me, they are holding off on a confirmation of this test. However, if the next one is the same it will definitely be getting confirmed, which is what I want. I want to do anything to prove my honesty as this could possible effect my detox plan (like seriously, wtf?) Does anybody know if loperamide could possibly return a false positive for 6-mam? I know it's an opiate, but it still doesn't make sense that it would return a heroin specific metabolite. That, and daily venlafaxine are the only other things I have taken.
Hi guys, sorry to revive an old thread but having just signed up I was unsure of the rules and since this thread covers the contents of this post I thought I would just do it in here.
SP, I just read through your situation and I have to say, I really feel for you. It's awful how the pain clinic went about things after your test came back as a false-positive. Cutting off contact without even a phone call?? And with minimal explanation other than "we can't see you because your test was positive"? It fills me with great confidence (yeah, right...) to know that people that work in what is considered to be one of the most important and intelligent profession's deal with these issues so unprofessionally, as well as being just outright rude. As it's been said, junkie's and pain med users are automatically liars and bad people so I guess it's fine for the oh so righteous professional's to treat us that way. If only the world could just be a little less judgemental, and a little more understanding. A man can dream I guess.
That all being said I would be interesting to know if there has been any developments?
A little backstory about me:
Anyway, on the subject of this post, my name is George and I'm a 24 year old recovering heroin addict from the UK. I hit rock bottom roughly 12 months ago, when I developed deep thrombosis and cellulitis in my left leg and proceeded to be hospitalised for 3 weeks. This was one of the most terrible experiences of my life; I began to enter withdrawal, my leg swelled up to twice the size of the other, I feared the worst and thought it may have to be amputated, and all I could do was reflect on where I was before opiates, and where I'd ended up after them. My Dad could no longer deal with my lies and drug seeking behaviour and proceeded to kick me out of the house, meaning that I didn't have anywhere to go once I got discharged from hospital.
After what seemed like weeks (but was only 4 days) of a deep regret, sorrow, dark depressive thoughts, even suicidal thoughts, and no hope for the future I was finally started on Methadone which seemed like an absolute godsend. Usually in the UK, it would take months from starting the process to get started on a maintenance program, so I guess a silver lining of the whole ordeal was that the hospital was able to start me up on it straight away, and get me straight into a program on discharge. Once it started to kick in after a few more days, the depression slowly faded, the WDs ceased, and I slowly turned into someone who went from being a bedridden, agonising mess who slept as much as possible and didn't know who he was anymore, into a much brighter and sociable fellow who most importantly, started to regain his humanity as well as a little ray of hope.
After hospital he managed to get a room in a hostel, where he stayed for three months. Overall, I had somewhere to stay but it was generally the worst possible environment possible for me. Every other person there was a user, and and most displayed the type of behaviour I was trying so hard to escape from. In the end, my grandparents decided to invite me to live with them which was an absolute godsend. I got settled in with them, and I'm still there now. During my stay at the hostel, I decided that I wanted to go to university and study for a degree in computer science, which would give me the opportunity to better my life and start a career after finishing. To do this, I needed to study at college for a year to get the grades needed for uni. Fast-forward to now, I have been attending college since September and am now 4 weeks away from finishing the course. I have been offered a place at the University of Leeds, which is in the top 20 university's in the country. I couldn't be happier and I just have 4 more weeks of hard work and commitment to get the grades I need.
As for my methadone, initially I worked up to 80mg which was a more than comfortable dose for me. It was too much actually; I still felt opiated and would fall asleep very early every night without even realising I was tired. Since then, I have tapered down, initially to 60mg where I stayed for a while, then down to 45mg, and from that I am currently on 25mg. I'm entirely comfortable with this dose and feel proud of myself for getting this far.
My hope is to come of opiates completely before university, with a switch to buprenorphine when I finish college and then hopefully proceed to do a fast taper over roughly a 4-6 week period. I'm hopeful I can do it, and really want to do it, but if when it comes to it and I am finding it too hard, I'm prepared to face the fact that I may have to stay on bupe for a little while longer. The only thing that I feel might be a hassle with that is getting referred to a new clinic when I move to uni, and losing my weekly takeout's and starting a daily clinic visit every day. I can't really see this working with being at uni, I don't wanna be tied down with always having to get to the pharmacy, and if it could be helped I would rather leave all this behind me and initially, not have to share this part of me with friends I make if it can be helped.
Now, to the part relating to this post: I've been clean for months, I use my methadone daily at around the same time, have a glass of wine occasionally, smoke, and that is literally it. I get mouth swabbed every two weeks when I see my drug worker. The last test I had came back positive for the heroin metabolite 6-MAM, which had be genuinely shocked. I haven't been near it in so long, so it simply isn't possible. Even more confusing is that a few days prior to the test, whilst doing a room clear-out I found a used strip of diazepam with a single 10mg pill left in it. I ate it one evening, which to me was nothing more than something akin to having a beer. I've never used benzo's frequently, and have never felt the urge too. Since I've found that honesty is the best policy with drug workers, I was completely open about this. Plus due to it only being 3 days before the swab, it should have easily been detected in the test due to it's long half life. The funny thing is, it came back negative. So the test comes back negative for something I've taken, and positive for something I haven't? Hmmm, confused? Yep.
Also, 6-mam only hangs around in saliva for ~1/2 days. I would have needed to take it directly before the test. I simply wouldn't be stupid enough to do this, as it means losing my takeouts and being held on my reduction. Besides, I haven't used for months as it is. My drug worker says she believes me as she said that my reaction was completely genuine, I just hope that she's telling the truth. I have offered to do a urine test if the next one is the same, although as I meet her in an NHS building away from the clinic there isn't the facilities to do this. I will also ask if a hair strand test is possible. As she 'believes' me, they are holding off on a confirmation of this test. However, if the next one is the same it will definitely be getting confirmed, which is what I want. I want to do anything to prove my honesty as this could possible effect my detox plan (like seriously, wtf?) Does anybody know if loperamide could possibly return a false positive for 6-mam? I know it's an opiate, but it still doesn't make sense that it would return a heroin specific metabolite. That, and daily venlafaxine are the only other things I have taken.
