benzos and employer drug testing

[LemonHead]

I wanted to gather some thoughts on this.

I quite possibly may have a job offer coming up soon. I am certain they will be giving one of the standard employee drug tests, which I believe usually include benzodiazepines on the panel.

I am taking them as prescribed by a doctor.

I have decided it is in my best interest to keep my mental illness private from my potential employer. Unfortunately, a positive benzodiazepine result, although defensible because it is medically prescribed, may skew my employer's opinion of my suitability, and is somewhat revealing of my condition.

There is enough time for me to safely taper the K out of my system before the drug test would be administered, and then resume the K following being hired. The risk is, of course, I may have some sort of relapse of my illness.

Then again, if the employer does random drug testing, the taper strategy is moot.

Has anyone faced a similar situation, and what did you do?

[notfred]

The drug testing outfit usually only reports if you passed or failed. Around 10 days to wash out.

Do you know how many people take benzos ? They are the most common meds prescribed. You usually need to bring some proof you have a prescription for what you turn up dirty on. A prescription bottle.

[bluechick]

I feel that honesty is the best policy. As notfred said, benzos are very, very common. I'm not sure what part of the world/country you hail from but here in the U.S. they cannot discriminate against you for possessing a prescription for benzos. And I think you are right to be concerned as to what may happen if you stop taking the benzos. Don't mess with your health. No job is worth it.

[WhiteFemale]

Holy crap, I would NOT stop taking it just for the drug test. Usually, they outsource the drug testing to a company that handles the follow up. When you test positive for benzos, the company will call to confirm it's prescribed and that's it. You confirm it, and you're good. Your employer cannot discriminate against you based on your treatment plan. For all they know, it could be for seizures. And it's none of their business. You have the right to effective treatment. I think your employer in the long run would respect you taking measures to ensure you are stable, than for you to start of a new job withdrawing from benzos and possibly going off the deep end.

[LemonHead]

Thank you all for the feedback.

I've decided it would be irrational to deviate from a physician-prescribed treatment for an illness in order to avoid speculation on the part of others, especially when that speculation would have no legal recourse should it be used against me.

I'm grateful for your perspectives.

[San]

Don't stop the medication.

Bring the prescription bottle, an up to date one, and if you need, a doctor's note. No big deal.

[eldorado]

Thank you all for the feedback.

I've decided it would be irrational to deviate from a physician-prescribed treatment for an illness in order to avoid speculation on the part of others, especially when that speculation would have no legal recourse should it be used against me.

I'm grateful for your perspectives.

Yep that is it in a nut shell. But more importantly, if you don't take your meds, your health can go to crap and then it wouldn't matter how good your job was.

Good luck.

[AirMarshall]

All your doctor has to write is that he has prescribed you to take the benzo. He does not have to provide any dx or history. You do not have to disclose your illness.