I read that pre employee drug tests test for benzos. But what if the person has a prescription? Do you have to bring in all of the meds that you take, or can you can you just write down the meds you take? I also take hydrocodone for pain occasionally. Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!

I have no direct experience, but I've been told most workplaces will have you complete a questionnaire or other kind of form which allows you the opportunity to write down the names of any medications you've been prescribed. Perhaps someone else can come along and confirm or deny....

Normally you can expect to be given the drug test first.

If something pops positive you should be told what class of drugs it is, e.g. opiates, THC, benzos, and will be given the opportunity to explain/justify it. A letter from your doctor stating that you have been prescribed drug X, and that this drug can cause a positive result should be all that is explain the result. In general you and your doctor do not have to disclose why you are taking the drug. If you want to try to keep your psych problems hidden as much as possible, you might have the doctor write a first letter that doesn't name the medication but only states that you have been prescribed a medication which can cause a positive result, then if they want more, provide a more specific letter.

The company does not have any authority to require you to list all the drugs you are taking, nor the reasons why you are taking them, nor the diagnoses.

Now if you are in the hiring process, they cannot require you to take a physical exam until AFTER they have actually offered you a position and you have accepted. They can't use any findings from the physical to fire you unless there is a clear safety issue or condition that makes you unemployable. See the Dept. of Labor website for current info.

I ran a company urinalysis program for 14 months about 20 years ago...

BTW, I NEVER had a single person pop positive for any Rx meds, though types tested may vary since then.


good luck,

a.m.

From the DOL website:

"First, it is important to note that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) does not regulate the area of workplace drug testing. However, it recognizes that workplace alcohol and drug abuse creates significant safety and health hazards and can lead to decreased productivity and employee morale. Therefore, DOL’s Working Partners program encourages employers to develop drug-free workplace programs, which may or may not include drug testing.

Generally, employers have a fair amount of latitude in handling drug testing as they see fit, unless their organization is subject to certain Federal laws (such as U.S. Department of Transportation drug-testing regulations). However, there may be state laws that impact how drug testing is implemented. For more information, visit the Working Partners Web site’s listing of state laws that impact drug-free workplace issues or contact your state Department of Labor."

Tommy

PS My city makes all job offers contingent on passing a drug test and criminal background check.

Heya Waterfall,

AM had it right from an MD POV.

According to the Ontario Human Rights Code (what I'm most familiar with):

If an employer needs information, the first thing they get is what you tell them.

(Which IMHO should be, "Um, let me check with my doctor and lawyer and get back to you on that.")

The next thing, unless you're not blowing smoke and actually *have* a lawyer, is written on a prescription pad and signed by the MD:

"Ms. Waterfall was seen today for medical reasons. Ms. Waterfall takes medically indicated medication that may interfere with routine toxicity screening."

Any more detail -- the employer has to get you to sign a release and send the MD some forms.

--ncc--

I am in charge of our workers compensation program, and whenever an employee is injured we do a urine screen. The new ones are incredibly sensitive, and provide immediate results on benzos, opiates, meth, and THC. I always ask if someone is taking pain pills or something for anxiety, prior to actually doing the test. If they are, and they come up positive, it is our policy for the employee to bring (a)a copy of the prescription or (B) a note from their MD letting us know that drug X is prescribed. We don't require any sort of diagnosis, just that the med is MD prescribed. I've never had anyone come up positive in the last three years, mainly because we make it very clear upon hire (with a drug screen) that we will be testing post injury, and that the employee will be immediately terminated if they should turn up positive without appropriate documentation.

Couldn't I just bring my prescription medications with me? They all have my name on them.

waterfall, i don't know that one, but you could ask them prior to going in for your test.

at all the drug screens i've ever had, i've just been asked to fill out a form telling them what i take. i've never been asked for scripts or to justify any of it. i write down my litany of psych meds, including klonopin, and they probably get the hint that i'm a nutjob. i don't know. but i've never personally been asked for that information.

if i were asked i'd have to go to my md/pdoc and get letters indicating that i am being seen for medical conditions requiring drug X and that for further information to contact my pdoc or something like that.

i've never failed or been questioned on a drug screen.

I can only speak for the U.S....

Typically any information that might affect the results of a drug screen are not discussed with the potential employer. Instead, they are discussed with the company/clinic performing the screen. And as most people mention, they usually have you fill out some kind of form where you can list any medication you are taking. In the U.S. the information on this form is confidential and cannot be shared with the employer. Though I'm not sure what information is shared if you test positive for a substance because you are taking a prescribed medication for it.

In any case, benzos are not part of the standard "5-panel" drug test (again, this might be U.S-specific). That doesn't mean an employer won't test for it - it's just a substance that's in one of the more extensive panels.

What about hydrocodone? In the US?

Look. You are making this way to hard. You gotta prescription from a doc, you are covered.

Pee in the bottle and don't give them any other information till they ask.

If the company still won't hire you, you don't want to work for them.



a.m.


p.s. I know you are worried and anxious, but don't sweat it. They want you!!!

It's not part of the standard 5-panel, but could be included in a more extensive panel. Here's what they test for in a standard 5-panel:

1. Cannabinoids (marijuana, hash)
2. Cocaine (cocaine, crack, benzoylecognine)
3. Amphetamines (amphetamines, methamphetamines, speed)
4. Opiates (heroin, opium, codeine, morphine)
5. Phencyclidine (PCP)

The form the employer gives you to take to the collection center should (but may not alway) indicate the type of drug screen to be peformed. The other common "panels" are a 7-panel and a 10-panel. If I remember correctly, the 7-panel tests for the standard five substances plus barbituates and benzodiazepines. The 10-panel tests for the standard five plus barbituates, benzos, propoxyphene, methadone, and methaqualdone. These are just some standard or typical "panels." An employer can typically customize the testing if they want to.

As far as bringing your scripts with you - sure. It can't hurt.

Heya.

I repeat.

If they really want something:

Mr/ms/mrs ABC was seen today and is taking medication, for medical reasons, which may interfere with routine toxicity screening.

Any more and they need a release form the patient and a form.

PS. Hydrocodone would show up on an opiate screen.

--ncc--

I passed the test!!!

Reply
Here is my situation. You are gonna love this scenario. I have been on one medication that I postponed using till I was an adult and could not seem to manage without it.. That is ADHD related Adderall. I was off and on ritalin for a brief time as a child in adolesence. My mom was familiar with Ritalin and did niot want me to become dependant on it. I obtained it from my doctor after I quit drinking at about age 30. About one year after I got my self "together" and grew up. I realized my reading comprehension was nonexistant I could not focus at work and would get extreme fatigue after I was on the computer for any length of time. I would start to nod off at my desk and could only function well when I was running around busy at work with customers in a retail environment. I couldnt finish the schedule in one sitting without nodding off. Talked to the doctor . He gave me tests at a few places and the rest is history. Adderall was a miracle drug for me. That lasted for about two years and now it feels like I cant function without it.

I made a career change and it ended up being a bad one because they had layoffs when the business was poor and the amount of help needed decreased, I applied for a position the had a drug screening process and I was not worried at all I have been through them and passed them with a mro contacting my doctor for years! I also had random testing before . Its no problem I thought, UNTIL NOW. Now employers get the info from the MRO in a week. (MRO is the person who checks with your doctor to verify prescription) The normal negative (passing) results in just two days!!! I recieved a call from my job offering employer, stating that there is a problem with my screening and he would look into it. He said "Normally I get the screening results in a few days unless there is a problem" He gets a result that is after a week (tipping him off that I am on my prescribed Psycho-meds) and never calls back. I get a sorry note from the employer dated before he got the REVIEWED results of the test. I see that they have a choice to hire someone who is on medication or someone who isnt! They will never tell you the truth of why they didnt hire you! But they told me they found someone who is a better fit for the position. NOW WHAT?? Sue them? report them? Thry dont owe you a job and even if they did , all the time and effort and money spent to perue it would get you a resentfull relationship to start your career with. I think they would find a way to get rid of you. They get the information that you are on meds, after the test isnt returned to them in two days. They dont want you, in case you are a psho-nut on controlled substances and frankly I dont blame them. If you had a choice to hire someone that is not VS some one who you know takes something What would you decide to do??? Adderall = enemployable for me.. Another company just explained on the application process that Some prescription Medication will result in a positive (failing) result on the drug-sreening processs. Thats all they said So I dont recommend This conundrum to anyone who isnt self employed/ IT WAS NEVER AN ISSUE TILL RECENTLY.