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Addiction to Drugs/hair strand drug test

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Expert: - 12/20/2011


Question
I am being tested solely for cocaine, I recently took codeine for migraine headaches and the sample collector told me this could show a false positive. Is this true and if so how do I prove I have not used cocaine?

Answer
Hey Louise,

Personally, I hate drug testing.  If people weren't so marginalised about their drug use, they wouldn't need to be tested and could just be honest.  However, I do understand that in some industries, there may be a need (i.e.: I probably wouldn't want my 747 pilot drunk or coked up!)  

Anyway the short answer to your question is 'no'.  Cocaine is a stimulant drug and codeine is an opiate like morphine, heroin, oxycodone, etc.  If the test comes back positive then I would let them know about the codeine and ask for a further test.  

However, the major problem with hair strand tests is that it goes back a long time.  So I probably wouldn't have cared if my 747 pilot did a couple of lines at a party 3 months ago and hadn't taken it since, as long as he was okay to fly the plane on the day.  May I ask why they are using a hair strand test as opposed to a urine screen?

If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Stay safe,

Jacqui

Addiction to Drugs

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Jacqui

Experience

Currently a Harm Reduction Adviser for Salvation Centre Cambodia (www.scc.org.kh). Worked in harm reduction in Australia for 10 years. Studied extensively on the topic and have trained others. Psychologist with Clinical Masters. Two significant research projects on drug use (one on HIV risk and its link with trauma and one on drug related stigma).

Organizations
No current formal membership but consider myself a part of the harm reduction community.

Publications
Conference proceedings - IHRC 2004 (Chiang Mai), 2005 (Melbourne) & 2010 (Bangkok). Anex Conference 2005 (Melbourne) Stigma-Pleasure-Practice conference 2006 (Sydney).

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts (Humanities), Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Masters of Psychology (Clinical). And a multitude of training courses including advanced first aid, pre & post test counselling accreditation for HIV, significant amount of training on hepatitis C, etc.

Awards and Honors
Have presented at international conferences including the International Harm Reduction Conferences in Chiang Mai Thailand; Melbourne, Australia and Bangkok, Thailand. Also national conferences in Sydney and Melbourne Australia.

Past/Present Clients
I maintain confidentiality about my clients.

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