Addiction to Drugs/Drug testing

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Expert: Caroline West - 2/12/2009


Question
In 2005 I took a drug test it was oral swab, and it came up positive for cocaine, I had been clean for three months prior to taking the test but still i tested positive. How long does it take to get out of your system... I have not touched cocaine  since 2005 and I have a drug test in March of this year 2009, its been 4 years now, will I pass the drug test? if it is oral swab or if it is a urine test?

Answer
Hi Beth. This is a tricky one. Mouth swabs are meant to be very accurate-I used to have them because they are meant to be a great deal more truer than pee tests.I had swabs done because I used to take codeine pills and on a urine test it would come up with a positive for Heroin because they are of the same family. I'm trying to think of what other drugs could mimic coke. Could someone of slipped you some or passed a joint with it in?

All that said I think that it could still be in your system for a few months after and in relation to how much you used to do-the more then longer in the system. Cannabis can stay in your system for up to 120 days so maybe that can apply to coke aswell.

I think a few months lingering in your body could well be the answer to that conundrum and if you are now 4 years clean then there should be a 100% for sure no traces will show up. Just make sure no one slips you anything. Also if coke does show up ask for another swab to double check and even a urine test alongside.

I hope the test goes well and a huge congrats for staying 4 years off it-that is fantastic! Good luck and I wish you all the best and hope you get on well.Take care,Caroline.  

Addiction to Drugs

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Caroline West

Expertise

My expertise in this area is in illicit/street drugs as well as some over the counter and prescription drugs/meds. I can answer questions about most illicit drugs and prescription drugs. I can offer advice on Opiate maintenance drugs like Methadone, Subutex and Suboxone,and the process of going through a Detox and/or Rehab. I understand the problems Drug use can cause regarding convictions and debt problems. There is a difference between recreational drug use and drug addiction and can answer questions on both. Relationship advice if you or your partner is using and can offer help there too. Drug addiction is no joke and it can shatter the lives of the family as well as the user so I can also offer help and advice to friends and family. Drug dependency creates a great deal of issues both mentally and physically and left untreated can lead to poor Mental Health, Psychological and Physical harm and worse. Life can become unmanageable in many ways including work and schooling alongside breakdowns in relationships,risk of convictions and a reduction in personal care. I can offer advice and support in all these areas having been in them and now out of them.

Experience

I have had multiple drug addictions in the past that have included Cannabis,Heroin,Crack,Benzo's,Codeine and over the counter tablets as well as prescription medicines and taken near enough everything. It caused a great deal of problems in my family and I also had suffered breakdowns,Hospitalizations,suicide attempts,convictions the lot. I had been in a 7 year drug using relationship which was tough. I've come out the other end now and haven't used illicit drugs for 5 years. I really do understand what it is like for the user and those around them.

Organizations
I am in 4 other categories here at All Experts: Abusive Relationships; Borderline Personality Disorder or BPD and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy or DBT which can simultaneously help those with BPD and with Drug/Alcohol Problems; and Teenage Problems. I also belong to Care2.com which helps various causes all over the world.

Education/Credentials
I have schooling up to A-Level standard,College Diplomas and what I offer here is valuable 'life experience'.

Past/Present Clients
I have done this voluntary job here at All Experts for about 3 years now.

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