Please Help~~My Son Was Positive On A

[BrokenBladder]

Benzo dip stick that was done on his urine. He was adament that he had never taken a benzo so they sent it off to lab. Once the lab recieved it was negative. So the next benzo dip that was done he came back up positive and again the lab said in was in fact negative.

Here's my question, how in the world does this happen?

My son is in a 6 month program for smoking marijuana and is tested weekly. When the counselor told me he was positive for benzo's I freaked.

When the counselor called me and told me that the lab confirmed both dip sticks to be negative I ask her how in the world does this happen. She told me that it must have been something he ate or some OTC medication that caused it.

Only problem with this is she originally told me that the dip was 99% accurate and never told me that food or OTC meds could cause a false positive.

Can someone shed some light on this situation??

[peglem]

Well, that's scary! I googled false positive drug testing and here is one of the sites I found. Hope it helps.

http://www.passyourdrugtest.com/false-positives.htm

[Boxerlover]

Lisa, I'm sure that freaked you out! We don't have kids, just 4 legged ones so I'm not familiar with drug testing. It's bad though that a false positive can show up tht easily.

Melissa

[BrokenBladder]

Thanks Peglem but I don't see anything on there about benzo's. This whole thing has me baffled and was very upseting to our family until the lab confirmed that he really didn't do anything.

[Mark N]

Lisa, the lab should be able to tell you what could cause this so your son could avoid what he is eating or OTC med he is using that causes a positive reading. Neither of you should go through this again.

[BrokenBladder]

Mark I agree, but the lab is in California. The only person I can communicate with is the counselor and her explanation is just too vague for me.

[BrokenBladder]

Melissa,

Yes this is freaky and I really need to find out how it could happen. At least I know that my son didn't use any benzo's but it made for a few frustrating days. Now I just want answers.

[peglem]

from here:
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4SUNA_enUS238US238&q=false+positive+drug+testing+benzodiazepine

Benzodiazepine False Positives:

Most prescription sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication.


and from here:
http://www.deltabravo.net/custody/drugtest.php

Valerian root is reported to cause false positives for benzodiazepines. Other herbal supplements such as Kava Kava and St Johns Wort may also affect body chemistry such that false positives are produced.

Zoloft is reported to cause false positives in urine screens, although for what specific substance isn't clear.

[houghchrst]

From what I am finding this happens quite often, a false-positive can be caused by everything from Antibiotics to poppy muffins. Hard to tell. She was probably vague because she doesn't have a clue. As long as the lab is getting a negative then isn't that really the result that counts. The Counselor may not even know what the heck she is doing, maybe that is why she was so vague. Scary I know. Good luck. Maybe calling a local drug treatment program can give you some ideas.

[Kathi49]

Lisa,

I got in on this late. But really I have no clue other than what the other posters stated. I am just sorry you and your son had to go through this. :(

[BrokenBladder]

Peglam, Christina, and Kathi,

Thank you guys very much. I did read the links but there's nothing on there that my 16 year old son would have had. He likes junk food, LOL!!

I guess part of my issue with this is this is the first time that he had been tested for Benzo's and I wonder how many other poor families are having to endure this. My son is at the end of his program and graduates on Nov. 14th. I've spent alot of money and have driven him to meetings, groups, and drug tests every week so I just don't want a faulty batch of dip sticks to cause a problem for another family.

I'm lucky as I have a good relationship with my son and I believed him in spite of the evidence.