MEPS Test Saturday (February 07, 2008)

[eckology]

OK, I know you probably see these threads all the time, but I'd be stupid not to go the extra length and give my own specifics. I'm enlisting in the Marines, and have signed most of the paperwork. I'm scheduled to take the ASVAB, Physical, and the Oath this Saturday. I was a frequent user before, smoking almost everyday, for a few years.

As of Saturday, I haven't blazed up in exactly 25 days. I took the preliminary piss test this morning in my recruting office, which was the iCUP A.D. This test showed four lines, testing for cocaine, metaphetamines, amphetamines and THC. As you might guess, the bolder the line, the cleaner you were. My THC line was substantially lighter than the other three, though still obviously there. My recruiter told me I was good to go.

I know the MEPS test is more in depth and they will send it away for retests, and have been told by buddies of mine that they will drop you from BOOT after they get your final results. My good buddy who graduated from Parris Island two weeks ago told me they had dropped someone on day 63 as they were packing for the Crucible after testing positive for THC on his original MEPS drug test.

I'm 6'3...185 pounds if that helps at all. I plan on diluting my system as best as I can the next two days. YOUR experiences, advice..etc would be greatly appreciated. I'm not looking for anyone to ask me why I'm joining or what I'm fighting for...but for one smoker to help out another smoker and get me through this so I can get on with my life.

Thanks in advance.

[Burnt Toast]

I took the preliminary piss test this morning in my recruting office, which was the iCUP A.D. This test showed four lines, testing for cocaine, metaphetamines, amphetamines and THC. As you might guess, the bolder the line, the cleaner you were. Not true. Instant-type test kits are pass/fail. They have no ability to quantify drug metabolite levels (unlike the GC/MS test). Therefore, to think and say that "the bolder the line, the cleaner you are" is pure conjecture.
There is no meaning attributed to the intensity of the lines. Two lines on each drug panel is a negative regardless of how faint the lines appear.

[painretreat]

eck: get a medical emergency that will postpone the testing. Do they do hair tests? I know at&t does them for pre-employment (or use to). If so, you are screwed.

I admire your taking this route to get 'your life together' and pray the war's are scaled down soon and you don't have to spend your entire enlistment at war! You will have many benefits througout life for doing this! I am sure it is the last resort for you and we are all proud of you for doing this.

curious, haven't I seen your name under this spot before?

I don't know, but there is definitely a drug that will clean up Narc's in your system. If you know a anesthesiologist, recovery room nurse or an ER nurse, you might be able to get the drugs that counteract them--I am not sure it 'cleans it out of your system' will have to check on that. Everything except cannabis! Try calling a local anesthesiologist's office, be frank with them and ask them if there are drugs that take it out of your system and talk to them, tell your story. Don't stop with one office--(you'll have to hurry, since they are all busy in a hospital all day). I would just bet, you could talk one into giving you the meds for free, due to the cause! I many reason's based on profession for saying this--try it. Don't be embarassed or ashamed. Somehow, I think of all docs, they are about the most humane! They understand drugs and use more than anyone in the world and how to reverse them. Pharmacist's do, as well. They will talk to you. don't be ashamed.

I know you don't want any atta boys. But, I had a cousin that got kicked out of the seabees for pot, in peacetime (not pottime). He and his bro were both in for the same reason as you. After a year or so, they swore they'd rather flip burgers at McD's! But, they both have very good occupations from what they were taught there, have nice large families and are doing quite well by anyone's standards. :thumbsup: Go for it! :cool: I started to say, please don't leave us--but bues that might be a bit backwards for the purpose of thread.

Come back and let us know. Even if you don't want to do this.
We are here to suppor you in your decision. And if you bump into higher4hockey, say Hi!

ANY OTHER suggestions?????? P/R

p.s. your first post!! it is burnt toast that is the expert in this column!

[the image reaper]

2 days doesn't give you much time, but do LOTS of running, exercising, and sweating ... you can't 'dilute' THC in your system, it stores itself in fat cells, it has to be 'worked' out ... you'll probably be OK, my son made it into the Army, after a positive, the recruiter told him to come back in a couple weeks (they're looking for 'warm bodies', not athletes) ... Basic Training will get it outta your system :D

[painretreat]

I/R that sounds very encouraging!

eco; be careful not to lose wt. As when the fat cells break down it will release some THC.

My nephew broke his arm and then something else and they waited 2 years for him--in peacetime! that was the army also, don't know if all branches are the same. P/R

[eckology]

There is no hair test and the blood test does not test for drugs.

And like I said, I passed the preliminary test with four lines with my own piss, no BS. Didn't even know it was coming, and that was yesterday morning. I'll have 2 more days until the MEPS test, and I plan on taking it.

PR: Thanks for the advice. It is not my last resort nor am I doing this to get my life together, I'm enlisting at my own will. People seem to forget that SOMEONE has to do it. Maybe one thinking like this on his own won't make a difference, but thousands thinking this way will. Please keep your judgements to yourself. After everything I have read, I will be doing absolutley no exercising until after Saturday.

Also, this isn't my first post, I posted about a year ago involving another drug test that was sent to LabCorp by a substance abuse clinic I had to see to get evaluated after a non-drug offense. I was clean 17 days and passed. For some reason my post count got deleted...maybe due to inactivity.

I plan on going ahead with the test. I may be putting all my eggs in one basket here but after pissing in the iCUP and passing I feel confident. Maybe that's wrong. I'm looking for my feedback on the actual test still. I'll be checking this thread all day, so feel free to post your opinions. Thanks guys.

[MaryJaneMonkey]

There's no hair test, just the piss test. The one you take when you first get there doesn't really matter. Ive only seen people get kicked out for failing the piss test once you actually get to boot camp.
BTW, coming from a Marine, I would deffinately reconsider joining. It's really not that good of an idea, IMHO.

[FakeBoobsRule]

Pain, I don't know what's up with that first post of yours. That's normally not like you. I don't know why you would bring up the hair test or scrubbing vague talk of other 'narcs' and getting an anesthesiologist to scrub said narc receptors. I don't even want to define 'narcs' and you're going to be hard pressed to find someone to do this and if so it's probably going to be expensive. I won't get into if it works or not and if it even matters or not. Whether there's a hair test with MEPS has been asked a bunch of times here and the answer is no. But thanks though good effort. :)

Eck, I found your old posts. Someone else's post violated the rules and the thread was deleted by another mod. I'll see if it can be saved if you want and dusted off.

A lot of the recruiters are down like Michael Phelps as they will give you that off the record test to see if you need more time to pass.

Take it easy and don't exercise since you are so close to the test though.

Good luck.

[eckology]

Any last words of encouragement??

I head out to the hotel in about an hour.

[painretreat]

You will remain on my daily prayer list! As I intimated before, not questioning your decision and still support your decision. After all--you have to live it! And I am sure the Marines would love a nice guy like you! I thot I remembered your posts from before-perhaps I should not rely on that! You take care and if you can, I still ask you keep us informed that you are doing well!!!

As for 'reversal' of medications--that was definitely a dumb suggestion! It could cause you other problems and it was thoughtless. No excuse's! P/R

FBR: thanks for wake-up call! :thumbsup: Love your style!