confused_mind wrote on Aug 7
th, 2009 at 12:28pm:
1. How bad is this failed polygraph going to hurt as an applicant with an agency that requires one? (I know that it will have to be disclosed)
I don't think it's possible to quantify that. When a polygrapher asks you about any past experiences with the polygraph, and you disclose that you previously failed a polygraph with regard to the issue of illegal drug use, it's predictably going to create a bias against you in the polygrapher's mind. But how strong a bias, and what it's ultimate impact might be, cannot be foretold.
Quote:2. Am I setting myself up for failure since I have already been labeled a liar once?
I think you may well be, if you go in for yet another polygraph session without first educating yourself about polygraph procedure and that which can be done to protect oneself against the risk of yet another false positive outcome. See
The Lie Behind the Lie Detector (1 mb PDF), especially Chapters 3 & 4, for more in this regard.
Quote:3. What could have caused the reaction? To this day I still have no answers, I have never used any illegal drug of any kind. It not only insults my integrity but my character to tell me I have and that hurts me the most.
If you don't know, how could anyone else? I fully agree that being falsely accused of using illegal drugs based on nothing more than a polygraph chartgazer's say-so is an insult. Because of this, you are probably now sensitized to the drug question, and it wouldn't be surprising if you were now to react when asked about illegal drug use simply because of your past experience of being falsely accused by a polygrapher.