[Peacemaker]

I was in a discussion that became heated in chat at some point when one person became verbally abusive.

I had mentioned that I did not pass a urine drug screen. I can prove 2 violations, but the other, amphetamines, I believe is a false positive. In chat I was sharing information I had learned from my pharmacist and GP. One my VERY REMOTE ideas was that my son's Ritalin bottle was grabbed by accident in place of my Fludrocortisol/Florinef as both are very similar in size and shape, and their bottles are white and poorly marked with the name of the person and medication (small enough to have to search for them on the bottle). I did mention that this was virtually impossible as his medications are kept in a separate, secured location.

This guy's next comment was "What the %#@&#! did the doctor say?" I replied that he said that he understood and agreed but that the policy of their office is once a patient is dropped, they never except them back.

Next he said "Since you take your son's Ritalin, you must be a %#@&#! addict to the max".

I told him "Given your choice of vernacular, I have to question the validity of your intelligence". (I need to apologize for my behavior for the comment.)

His reply: "Addicts are known for intellectualizing their problems".

Is that comment correct? In all that I have learned about addiction behavior (attended addiction classes as my father is addicted to alcohol, in my opinion).

Peacemaker

[youOme]

If they are capable of this...I think they will. Hand in hand it's the same sort of mechanism addicts use to excuse their behavior. I'm not at all saying this is what you've done..I'm just answering the question...imo.

[sunrise]

I'm sorry about the false positive that has caused you problems, Peacemaker. I didn't realize that doctors could deny treatment to patients who fail a drug test. Doesn't seem very compassionate or helpful to me! I hope you won't let that person in chat get under your skin. There are jerks everywhere.

I haven't heard before that addicts intellectualize their problems, but I have seen some addicts rationalize and minimize their addictive behavior. For example, alcoholics who deny their drinking is causing problems to their life and people around them: "I'm just having a few drinks, feeling good, not harming anyone, I don't have an alcohol problem, I just like to have a good time, so what if I missed work today, a dinner without wine isn't truly eating, etc."

sweet honey mustard.... !!

some people are assholes sweetie - does %#@&#! and sweetie belong in the same sentence? i would have been SO upset. Where was a mod when you needed one? (i know, they cant be everywhere)

Peace, you're sensitive about this, understandably, and this moron hit a nerve. It stirs up doubt because you feel the need for an answer. Maybe there isn't one. Look, i worked in lab work, not medical though... things happen. i know they try to be careful but things happen anyway. False positives are not uncommon in so many types of tests... if the lab is a busy one and they are drug testing they probably didn't run it twice, they prolly made the assumption a positive was a positive - drugs afterall right? God knows. It's easier and cheaper to just run stuff through once... nevermind having to explain to your lab supervisor that you messed up and need to run a second batch. Dirty glassware, contaiminanted pipetts...anything. i'm not saying that is the answer, i am saying there are SO many answers that you may never have one.

don't let the assholes drag you down.

peace to Peace

[ECHOES]

Anyone can intellectualize their problems.

That was a not very intellectual generalization he made.

[Perna]

Like Echoes says, lots of people intellectualize their problems; anyone that is trying to get away without having to feel the pain? A problem "out there" or, as sunrise says, rationalized is easier to have than one that hits you emotionally, especially if you feel helpless about it which I think lots of addicts do but don't want to admit.

Why do you care what some obnoxious person in chat said? If the pain doctors have that policy then I don't know that it matters what actually happened, may have happened or what? There's no way they can know for sure since they're not there, etc. Did you ask the doctor if he knew of any other pain docs/clinics that you could start with that might treat you now?