False Positive For Cocaine

[newyddilyn60]

HI Doc. I read your answer regarding kidney infection and false positives for coke.  Two years ago I was diagnosed with renel cell carcinoma and while thankfully it is gone, now I am on Methadone because I became addicted to the Oxycontins that I was on for 8 months.  At the clinic I get a drug test every month and the last two have come up dirty for cocaine.  I have never taken cocaine.  I have done a lot of research online and I keep seeing the kidney problems could cause the false positive.  Now on the other hand I also see lots of statements that say kidney problems have nothing to do with it.  Which is it?  And why would there be so much misinformation regarding the subject.  I am becoming very concerned is to why I keep coming up positive.  Thank you very much for your time.

Chris

ANSWER: Hi Chris,

I think  can answer one of your questons well. Why is there so much misinformation about drug use and abuse. The US has started drug testng programs for a variety of people, from those in the army to those in hospitals and detection of drugs in their system, they are in trouble. This has led to the bloom of yet another industry, where in people are selling products to help you get rid of drugs of your system.

Many people are happy to hear that they have been wrongly detected as drug positive, so there are people to tell them what they want to hear.

There are many errors of detection:

1. Sampling and labelling errors

2. Poor quality test kits

3. Poor technical know how

4. Lack of empathy

These are the problems and over and above that the US government has authorised this violation of personal privacy. We as experts can do little to help the american people, finally it is they who have to raise their voce and demand justice.

Ravi Ghooi

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

Thanks Doctor! I am trying to raise my voice at my clinic but everyone there thinks I am lying and nobody is willing to help.  It is very frustrating to say the least.  I know they deal with people who tell lies everyday and it is too bad I am automatically placed in that group.  All of my previous drug tests have come up negative for everything but methadone.  I don't do other drugs either and I never drink.  I smoked when I was younger, I'm 38, and was completely shocked when I as diagnosed with cancer. I would like to ask another question if you don't mind?  Knowing my past history with the cancer and I also have had a few bladder infections lately, do you think this could be the cause for the false cocaine positives?  Like I said before in my first question, I have read many times all over the internet that kidney disease or infection can cause false positives.  So is this true?  Is it the actual disease than can cause the positives OR the antibiotics that you take to clear up the infections that cause the false positive.  Please help clear this up.  I am so confused.  And thank you so much.

Chris

[Fugeltun]

Hi Chris,

I too have found a lot of articles claiming that kedney disease(often not specified) can cause false positives. None of the sites I visited are reputed enough to be relied on. I woudl be happy if this information appears on teh site of NIH, or Mayo clinic or some reputed group. But reputed groups seem to ignore this problem. Probably what you say is right. They are used to dealing with liars and cheaters thay automatically classify evryone as a liar.

I feel that you will have to fight it out, but how to do it is beyond me. In my country we have a syste called PIL(Public Interst Litigation) by which we can cheaply make an appeal to the High or Supreme courts. The courts do give us a hearing and quick judgements, si there an equivalent system in US? Can you file a case for defamation against the lab or clinic? I dont know, butI would like someone who will try. I believe a man fights hardest in two situations, one when he has everything to lose, and one when he has nothing to lose. If you fall in either categories, may be you could lead the fight?

Ravi