Pain Management
Sat, 10/31/2009 - 06:05
Pre employment Drug test , prescription meds
I have a job offer from a very large company. They are also a LAB and do drug testing for other companies. My position is technical and has nothing to do with the lab or lab areas, its in the computer tech field.
When they send the formal offer they will require me to go to one of their local labs to give a drug test. My question is I am on a perscription for methadone. Have been for 5 years, (had a back injury and very stupid doctor who perscripbed this stuff, and have had a hard time weaning off)
But although its a perscription, its normally given to get people off illegal drugs and Im certain they would change their mind on the offer if they knew Im on methadone.
Its a very low dose, never has effected my work. I dont even feel the stuff actually. But its really helped with pain management.
Normally I wouldnt worry about it since they are not supposed to report drugs if there is a perscription for it... at least thats my understanding , however this company is the lab! and although Im not going to work in the lab, they could certainly email or call the manager and report this to him, and I beleive most people wouldnt want to hire someone on methadone no matter what the reason.
any recommendations???
thanks
User login
advertisement
New forum topics
Top Clinical Trials
Quick Find
Who's online
There are currently 10 users and 852 guests online.
I am in a position of responsibility too. I have been in this position for 25 years, and as time has progressed, my meds have been added and changed as time goes on. My GM and 3 others know what I am on, so if I have an adverse reaction to the meds, they can help me and realize that I need medical attention.
I keep a copy of my current script in my wallet, so if I am ever questioned, I have proof that I am on these meds legally.
My suggestion is to be upfront, with your new employer. You are placing negative expectations, on your outcome, because of how you feel about it. As an employer, I am very much willing to cut slack, when I know that someone has an underlying condition. I know that I am not allowed to ask what meds you are on, but in the case of mandatory testing, it is no different than my Dr getting me to wizz, for a test.
Take care C45
25 years, sciatica, severe Central and Lateral Stenosis, L3-L4, DDD, Cervical C6-C7, and finally diagnosis confirmed Oct07 Chronic Pain, too cause no one treated the acute pain.
No surgery yet - but I am going for a consult.
I am not a Dr, only experience, living with this since the early 1980's. I thought for years that I would find a pill or exercise or some magic bullet to fix myself.
"Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught we will realize that we can't eat money."
Chief White Cloud
Honesty is the best way to go. I would advise you to explain to them what you just explained to us. Make sure they are aware that you take this, and that you have proof of the medication being prescribed to you, and what it's for, etc. I would think that they would appreciate your honesty so that there are no suprises rather than it coming up after the test and they have to disqualify you w/o even having a chance to explain. But, that's just my opinion.
Lower back injury June 2009
X-Rays 06/2009 showed a small fracture
MRI 06/2009 showed 2 herniated discs in L4,5,S1
Diagnosed with severe sciatica
Treated with failed attempts of steriod packs
Discectomy/Laminectomy August 2009
Continued back, hip, and leg pain following surgery
A CAT Scan showed 2 more herniated discs on C4,5,6 and 2 protruding discs and a disc bulge
3rd and 4th set of spinal injections set for November 2009
Current meds: Percocet, Xanax, Skelaxin, Flector Patches
I'm a 23 year old mother to 3 yr old twin girls and WAY to young for back pain!
Honesty is the best Policy
Go to them and let them know exactly what is going on.
You never want them to 'find' something , because automatically they will look at that is if you were trying to hide something.
When we have nothing to hide, its easy to be upfront and tell them whats going on
Ron DiLauro (aka PapaRon)
Ron's Story
Welcome to Spine-Health
Spine-Health FAQs
How Spine-Health is configured
Suicide Hotline
_________________________________________
rdilauro@gmail.com
SH Moderator Team = dilauro, Priestess, Bruce, Paulgla , Jeauxbert
SH Authority Team = haglandc, tamtam, Neck of Steel, Cath111
"In his eyes we're all the same Someday we'll all have perfect wings, Don't laugh at me
The information provided by members of Spine-Health should never be considered as formal medical advice. It is recommendations based on member's personal experiences only.
This can vary from person to person, so do not take comments as medical facts or rules
I would think that the department doing the testing is under the same legal necessity to keep info confidential as if they were doing this for another company. If the law says that drugs you have a prescription for are not reported to the employer then they should have to abide by the same law for internal use.
I am sure that the laws governing what an employer has the right to know vary from state to state. They may have the right to know in case it would affect your job but they would have to keep that info within HR strictly.
On the real side of this I don't know what to do. On Friday my boss walked into my office as I was taking my Neurontin and Skelakin. Of course I had 4 white bills and one big pink pill. He didn't ask and I didn't tell. I have heard this debate here before. Do you tell your boss and risk the info being used against you possibly indirectly or do you hide it and hope no one finds out? Don't know but I might get a call from HR on Monday....
I agree - don't let them fine it before you tell them. Take all your paper work with you.
Ms. Humpty Dumpty Took a great fall and all the Drs and surgeons could not put her back together again.
After my fall I started to fall apart. L1-L2-L3-L4 - S1 & S2 gone. ( full herniation )Spinal stenosis, spinal arthritis, degenerative disk, scoliosis.
The spacers in your back are gone/going, spinal nerve damage.
Spinal spurs. Both knee caps & both hips have degenerative bone disease, arthritis and bone spurs.
No surgeries as Drs. don't think it will help and may make things worse.
Age 47 - Here to find & offer support.