need info on blood testing mental health patients - Mental Health Message Board

melicristie · 08-14-2007, 09:20 PM

Hi my cousin is worried her birthday is coming up and she intends on smoking marijuana that night,but she has a first time appt with a psyciatrist a few days later,she wonders if they find drugs in her system will that affect the doctors diagnosis.thank you god bless.

jendg28 · 08-15-2007, 10:09 AM

Well, she shouldn't be smoking pot. Especially if she has a psychiatric disorder and takes meds. I know they test the blood regularly in the hospital. Especially if you are on certain meds like Lithium or Tegretol. I have never had my blood tested in a Psychiatrists office. I don't think most of them are even equipped to test blood. Mine has always sent me to my family physician to get my blood tested. He will probably ask her if she is doing any drugs. I wouldn't suggest her lying to him.

cinemachick · 08-15-2007, 09:28 PM

I don't think it would show up on the test, but that could depend on what they are testing for, and if she is doping, she can be upfront with the psych...its not like she will be sent to prison. She would probably end up in rehab. She shouldn't be doing it while taking meds, however.