I was going to post in your other thread;
'POSSIBLE TO TAPER IN ONE WEEK' ,but I can't find it now--weird.lol.

If you quit all of these meds cold turkey in order to pass a screening you are going to suffer some major withdrawl symtoms.Also,it takes days to get out of your system when you have been taking them regularly.So,if your screen is in 7 days,you might have to stop in say,2 or 3 days.

I don't understand,prescribed medications are not illegal.It's not failing if you have a prescription.Are you accepting a job as an air traffic controller,bus driver,or other job where prescription medication is a no-no?

I have been working in Human Resources for several years for a large Fortune 500 company.

Part of my job entails running background checks and drug screenings for prospective new hires.

As long as you list every prescription drug you are taking and have a valid script for each... you will pass your drug test. Be sure to put down any OTC drugs you may take, as well. (Allergy meds, antactids, etc.)

Adjudication guidelines do vary with each company, according to the company policies. What most employers check for are simply illicit drug use and those do show up on the screenings.

Tammy

You take quite a bit of medication, I don't think quitting cold turkey is smart at all. Talk to your doctor if this is really something you will do. I would list all medications and bring a note from the prescribing doctor to your drug test. I don't believe you can be fired/denied hiring because of a disclosed medical conditon and medication needed to function. Most companies contract out the drug test service so they wont disclose what you take, just if you passed the test or not. If this is the case disclosing all meds and a note should suffice. If not and the company self administers the test they could red flag your application due to "suspicious reasons" and not hire you because of medical reasons but use a legal reason if you know what I mean. My old company used a hair test for drug testing. They took a good chunk out of the back of your head and if you think shaving your head is smart think again, they will get hair from somewhere unless you shave everything. Good Luck to you

The hair does LONG term testing, I do mean LONG! It will show medication in the system from the time it grew from the hair follicle!

I took a part time job with a retail chain that did drug testing. As long as you have a valid script the screening company should not red flag you.

That is not to say they won't who really knows? I'd take a list off all meds currently taken, script information, doctors etc and hope for the best.

I was on several meds when I had to be tested. I turned in all information and was hired with no mention of the drug screen.

I am laughing at your comment, Robin.

I have been losing chunks of hair, too!

When I brush my hair after the shower, it's just a mess! I'm constantly having all of these extra long strands dangling off the hair brush and all over my shoulders. I just wear my towel, until I'm finished with my hair. Otherwise, I have to take out the sticky roller out and roll it all over my clothing items to get my hair off! My hands are even covered with long strands of hair, too! It's a mess... lol. I'm going to call my stylist this week and see what she recommends. Maybe it's a vitamin I might be low on. Until then... I've been wearing pony tails and head bands.

I've only had one hair analysis done as a condition of employment and also had to take two polygraph tests for that position! (It was a government position, so that is why). They did a nice job on snipping my hair. They did it in the back of my head, underneath my hair. You couldn't see where they cut it, when my hair was styled. So, I was happy.

Most companies now just do the urine sample testing. Many employed people are on prescribed medications for various ailments. As long as a person names all of their prescribed medications they are taking on the form they have to fill out... they generally pass the test. If they check "no" to any illegal drug use and it comes up positive... they generally won't be hired. There are times a "red flag" may be noted on a prospective new hire, if the person is taking medication that might impair judgement while working on an HVAC unit on a high rise building. That's a safety issue. They can revise job descriptions to fit the needs of a new candidate, if they truly want that person on board.

I could ramble on more... but me eyes are getting tired.

Sleep well everyone...

Tammy

http://www.dol.gov/asp/programs/drugs/workingpartners/faq.asp#q10

Direct from the Department of Labor, Drug Free Workplace FAQ -

I'm very familiar with the ADA,and I've been an advocate for the disabled since 1992,but believe me when I say that just because the laws are written,just because rights are in place,does not mean that these same rules are followed as required by law.

The reality is that employers DO discriminate and on a daily basis.They simply don't say that they aren't hiring/firing you for the reasons they are discriminating against.

So,while it may be true that employers should not have a blanket policy requiring all employees to disclose prescription drug use;if a drug screen is given it will be failed without this knowledge,putting one in a catch 22 position.

Incidentally,not everyone taking medication is considered disabled,and not protected under the ADA.This could have the potential to get into a hair splitting or word bee,when my point is only that there are more loopholes in real life than there are in policies,and employers can and do lie about why they hire and fire a person.

You are absolutely right, Robin!

Tammy

As long as you have a valid script most places can't flunk you for it. Of course there are probably exceptions, which is horrible.

the war on drugs is the biggest failure in this country, and the paranoia that comes along with it hurts so many people. You may take pain meds to be able to work, but they won't hire you. So they'd rather you be in horrible pain and unable to work, and clean.

It makes no sense.

Robin, I am not so naive that I believe that employers don't find a way to rid themselves of employees they no longer wish to have by documenting non-reasons.

I took time to post that link and information because the original poster is woefully uneducated about the laws and regulations that govern this particular area. Understanding the actual policies and procedures employers are meant to follow is the first step to effectively advocating for ourselves and protecting our rights.

If you don't know the rules, you'll always lose the game. Even preschool children playing Candyland know that.

Paul has it right: ask. Three issues you have to consider. First, you are being up front with your prospective employer. If everyone is on the same page then all will be good. Second, if you are not able to take prescription opioids then you may want to re-consider working for this company. I'm sure you would have kicked your drugs a long time ago if you were able to function without them and if you are hired, start up on your meds again and they find out, you're out of the job anyway. I wold not even apply if taking my pain meds was an issue, I wouldn't make it through one day without them!!! Last, you will most likely have some fairly powerful withdrawal symptoms -- all for nothing if they use your hair for the drug test. Wrambler is right on, it tests for a very long period of time! Now that I think about it, usually there is a form you will have to fill out with the drug test and they ask you to list all the meds you are taking, or have taken in a certain period of time. They also differentiate between prescription and illicit drug use.

If you are set on stopping your meds, check with your doctor of pharmacist about ALL of the meds you're taking. Some withdrawal symptoms may be very severe, one that I was taking would cause seizures if stopped "cold turkey!"

Good luck in your new job!
Jay

I have not reason to think they would have issue with my taking these meds, problem is, do they understand them? I am going from the same type job I have now, to another, that is the same thing, just a different employer. My concern is with the testing facility, if they don't do due dilligence and properly verify, then they could send a positive result to my potential employer, who I think, could just walk away and not be willing to chance something they don't understand.

I called 2 testing facilities in the state I am in now and both did say, that as long as I have a prescription I should be ok. I'm nervous, I have to get this job as due to the economy, I will loose the one I have very soon. So it's all on the line right now.

I can go through hell for 2 weeks, endure the pain, pass the drug test and return to my meds.

I can risk the screening company will do thier work properly and continue as normal.

I can go through hell to only find out that they are doing hair and not urine, of which it would be all for nothing.

This is so crazy, I have legitimate prescription drugs that I take per the doctors orders and have to worry about this nonsense. My drugs don't affect me at work, if anything, they enable to me to be normal at work.

I just wish I could get more first hand knowledge from people who have gone through this to make me feel more comfortable.

So I go today for the Drug Test, it is a 5 panel test. Opaites is one of the 5. I have all my pill bottles with me, a typed out list with Doctor, Number, Pharmacy and Number, they woudn't take any of it. So now I'm at the mercy of my MRO and hope he/she takes thier time. I've quit my job, and in transition to the new one, natural fears kick in, what happens if I don't pass and non one listens?

Like others said above, just take your RX's with you to the drug screen and even if you do test + they will put - if you can prove that you have an RX for it. Unless it's a CDL test which may be more difficult because they may question you're abilities while "under the influence". However, believe it or not, most generic quickie drug screens don't register prescribed meds. The one my PM doc uses is much stronger than the one we use to prescreen employees. When I took a drug test for my current position, I was on 30mg of Oxy ER x2 and Oxy IR 15mg x6 at the time and they didn't show on the test but the nurse told me that if they had shown up that she would have still put - because of my having the scripts with me.

It was urine as a pre-screening employment test and they also tested randomly all the machinists, etc.- it was an oil pipe manufacturer...Because of my medication I "failed" but once I provided my documentation for the medication that caused the positive result I was fine. They did hire me, but fired me because of my doctors' appointments, LOL! But for EVERYONE that worked there, as long as you had a prescription and the proper documentation for the medication, a positive result was not grounds for dismissal. Now if you didn't, that's another story!

Unless its a job where you drive something, fly a plane, or operate some sort of machinery, your med's should not matter much. I would just bring your pill bottles and you will pass. You could go further and get a note from your doctor telling why you need the meds, what meds they are, and how youre doing on them.

Well, all worked out fine. Never even came up. The report was negative. I'm such a worry wort.

I'm the same way info, every drug test I have I panic even though there won't be anything to fail me. I don't know why, they just make me nervous regardless.

The things we worry about most in life never happen.

So, I worry about EVERYTHING. That way, NOTHING happens!

I am glad everything worked out for you.

Oh and ChronicPain - I always stress over tests. Pee test, math test, science test, emplyment test... they are ALL the same to me. I don't like to be judged.

...don't hate me because I am beautiful...

You all have a great day with as many pain-free moments as possible!

Jeaux

I had a urine drug test for a new employer. They would not take my list of prescription drugs that I take. I never heard of this, if I fail will the company want to see what prescriptions I am taking? I think this is crazy, unless they are strictly looking for illegal drugs which I wouldn't take but I just had a colonoscopy test on Thursday and they gave me drugs for that test. Can anyone help.

I had a urine drug test for a new employer. They would not take my list of prescription drugs that I take. I never heard of this, if I fail will the company want to see what prescriptions I am taking? I think this is crazy, unless they are strictly looking for illegal drugs which I wouldn't take but I just had a colonoscopy test on Thursday and they gave me drugs for that test. Can anyone help.

My pre-employment drug screen was given and I brought all my scripts with me but they refused them. When my test came back positive I had to have my Dr. write a statement of what medications I was taking and fax to my employer. No problem. I started work the next day.
Susan

I had this same thing happen to me this week I had a steroid injection on Monday and was offered a job on Tuesday and had to take the drug test on Wednesday. I tried to explain to the lab clerk what prescription drugs i was taking and she said that was no concern of hers... I have never done an illegal drug in my life, It would be crazy if i failed a drug test...

Usually this kind of tests are pretty serious and in this way many people lost their jobs or never got accepted. I like to smoke some legal marijuana from time to time but if I want to attend a job like that I have to be clean for at least 6 months.

at 19 i lost my right leg but have had a good career as a land/construction surveyor. at 30 yrs old i started taking oxycontin and it wasnt an issue but by 38 yrs old from walking and standing all day and leaning to the opposite side of my amputation i developed a serious back condition. i didn't want more pain meds but as the condition got worse all they could do to keep me working was more pain medication. when i applied for a job i was open about my back problem and had a pre employment drug test and was hired. i was asked to present a letter from my doctor stating it would not affect my working around heavy equipment and driving a vehicle but soon after i was sent to a job at a nuclear power plant to do some outside construction and the power plant wanted a drug screen, with in 2 weeks i was mysteriously laid off even though my superintendant was upset over losing a good worker. THATS FOR THE GENTLEMAN THAT SAID THEY WILL FIND A REASON IF THEY WANT RID OF YOU. now that the back condition is worse the only medications that work for the amputated limb pain and back pain is a combination of methadone and oxycodone, it works well but the word methadone reeks of a person who was dependant on heroin even though thats not the case, its a stigma we can thank the us army for, and all of the vietnam veterans who got hooked on heroin. more than likely i will never get another job in the construction industry because most do drug screens and my profession has no union. its put me in a terrible position and im probably going to end up living under a bridge because of it

During my last drug screen I took all my bottles to the place, but they did not want to take any kind of action. Their ploicy was to get the drug screen and if something such as pain meds or add medication turned up positive they would have a doctor call and confirm taking of medication and also call the doctor or pharmacy to verify prescriptions were valid. If they were then they would report that the screen was clean. They said that the employer was not sent the actual results because if they were to recieve the actual test that they would have to participate in HIPPA and no one wants to do that. The only exception i believe was if the job was for a "CDL" position????

I am going for a new job drug test tomorrow. I love this site! It always has the information I need. I am on Fentenyl(spelling?) patch 50mcg and oxycodone 5-20 mg every 6 hrs for break through pain. I am bringing my Dr's note in case they want it and hope for the best. I did tell the HR person that I was on medication since back surgery and she said its ok and that they might just have a person from the drug testing facility call me if they have any questions. I worked for this company in the past for over 10yrs and want to get back so badly. I hope there are no problems!!!

I am taking two narcotics that are prescribed by my physician. I have been disabled for four years, and just recently allowed to return to work. In taking the pre-employment testing, I was told that out of the current location's applicants (Many applicants, a new company location), that I had the highest score that they had seen. I was offered a job on the spot, contingent on passing the background check. Then, at the drug test, I was told that I had passed the background check ((I knew I would). I had advised them at the time I was hired, BEFORE the background check, that due to my disability (obvious to them), that I took prescribed narcotics. The supervisor said that it would probably be fine, as my job is sedentary and obvious did not affect my performance. Now when I went to take the test, in hearing others talk, I have gotten nervous over my prescribed narcotics. I gave them a laundry list of ALL drugs I take, with the doctors listed AND brought the bottles to the test- where I was told I didn't need to show them-, but there are only two narcotics on it. I wanted to be up front and honest, I don't want to have to worry about some random drug test later. I was also advised to NOT go cold turkey, as that can actually cause a problem of seizures and/or heart arrhythmia. So obviously I could not stop the drugs, and have been told that they do not see when I will be able to stop them. I DO want to go back to work.
Now, do I have to worry about this drug test...?? even though I am directly covered by the ADA due to my disability (they had me sign paperwork at their offer of employment, regarding my disability, asking what they needed to do to accommodate my disabilities.)?
I am just so anxious to get back to work!!! It is TERRIBLE to not be able to work, when you're a Type A personality!!

Well, I am new to this but very curious. I have been taking 365 mg of oxy now for about 3 years solid to the point where it just didnt work anymore.. I have recently been switched over to methadone and woudnt you know it I got laid off from my job... Being that Im in the market for a new job I know I will have to pass a drug screen. Ive been trying to go cold turkey problem all night long I twitch and shake and am unable to get comfortable to even sleep. While I am unemployed I also have to take care of my little girl who is 1 year old... this complicates things because in this state I am most definatly not a suitable father... I have no idea what to do. I have since stopped the methadone and started taking some oxys that i still have since the doc gradually switched me over to methadone thinking that atlast the oxy is out of my system quicker than the methadone. But I would rather just take my methdaone being that it actually works and enables me to walk. Im 27 years old with major back issues and have had so many surgery's on my knees I cant count them anymore. So i need my meds but unfortunatly I need a job so i dont lose my home and family....I dont know what to do?...

Does every job in the USA require you have a drug test? I wonder if you can contact disability rights? I know there are disabled people who work and because of their disability they need pain meds or when you go to do the test write down your prescription and maybe that will be allowed. I wish I knew more but I live in Canada and except for the armed forces they don't do drug screens here. I hope you're able to withdraw from oxy and the methadone helps you. Take care. Charry

The disability rules only apply if you have gotten SSDI, correct? I am disabled through LTD, but not SSDI ,yet.

I posted this same topic a while back an the response I got was totally different. I had people who previously owned companies come and say they would not hire someone one pain meds.

I had also heard an employeer cannot ask about your medical issues, but I had a post offer employment questionaire recently that forced me to list all medical issues, meds, etc. and I found if I did not i could not get what is called a secondary injury settlement. Which from what I reasearched is if you do not disclose the injury and rehurt it you get nothing.

Also around my house their is pill mills so every jo blow has a perscription. I can't see that not being a problem on drug testing in my area.

I have a question regarding this. I want to accept a job, have passed everything, but I don't take pain meds. What happens if I get on pain meds ( prob. couldn't make it through workday without, 12 hr days) after doing all the drug testing etc. and they were to find out from random testing. Would I be safe due to my doctor perscribing them?? Where I would be going to work, I would not be running heavy machinary, but would be an operations supervisor in a drug free workplace. Does drug free mean, perscription drugs.

Because some prescription medications can affect an employee's ability to work safely, employers may have a legitimate interest in addressing them in their drug-free workplace policy. However, employers cannot discriminate in their hiring and firing practices based on an individual’s use of prescription medication for legitimate medical purposes. Such discrimination could be a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The ADA also prohibits an employer from asking disability-related questions unless they are job related and consistent with business necessity. Therefore, employers should not have a blanket policy requiring all employees to disclose prescription drug use. For more information about this issue, contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which administers the employment provisions of the ADA.

Use of some prescription medications may result in a positive drug test. In this event, a Medical Review Officer (MRO) or other appropriate company personnel may inquire to determine if the employee has a legitimate medical explanation, such as a physician's prescription, for the result.

A drug test result may be considered personal health information. Thus, there may be restrictions on how and whether such information can be shared. This is why employees who take a drug test usually must sign a release in order for their employer to receive the results. For more information about this issue, contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This agency administers the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which dictates under what circumstances and to whom health information may be released. More information can be found on Office of Civil Rights HIPAA Web page.

I was offered a job at a Fortune 500 company in middle management, which I accepted. They have a pre-employment drug testing program. I have multiple disc herniations (L1 - L5S1) and have been in pain management for the past 8 yrs. I daily daily doses of prescribed Percocet, Morphine Sulphate, Lyrica and Amitriptyline. I am suppose to start in a few days and my HR person still has not heard from the lab and it has been 9 business days since I tested. I listed all my meds on the form, but when I tried to submit copies of my prescriptions and a MRI report confirming my condition to put in my file, the lab did not know how to handle it. I absolutely do not abuse my meds and I feel that there should not be an issue, but I can't help but worry. Any calming thoughts?

Have you read through the thread? I hope this helps.

hi...i hope u dont mind me asking u a question...im applying for a fortune 500 company for a registered rep position, there is no drug test but i have to pass a NCIS background check, which i guess is the same check for purchasing a rifle...do u know if being a patient at a methadone clinic will come up in the background check? im in the process of detoxing off, so if it is ob my record, will it be esponged? thanks for u help!!!

This is interesting to me. I am trying to return to work and my employer is now 'concerned' that because I am taking pain medicine I won't be able to perform the intellectual duties of my position.

Is this legal?

I am a software techie.

ban - I don't believe it will come up. Back ground checks (and I have had plenty for varies reasons) have never shown anything medical, only criminal history that is more then a misdemeanor driving vilotion.

oon - Asking is it legal is hard to respond with a yes or no. If I were you I would get a letter from your Dr that says your good to go.

If you don't mind my asking how/why does your boss know your meds any ways?

hi. thanks for responding! that makes me feel better
my boss knows, because my business partner is a college buddy with loose lips and its a very small street! once one person in the office knows something, everyone knows! lol...its not really my boss that cares, its just corporate BS! i was wondering if the firm runs a background check, if being a patient at a methadone clinic would show up...our firm was recently absorbed my a much bigger company...i have also learned that im just a number on file, not a registered name...thanks for ur help! have a great weekend!!!

I took a drug test and tested positive for xanax. I had a prescription for it from Sept. 2011, and still had some left and took some the day before my drug test because i was nervous about my job interviews. WIll ifail my drug test because my prescription was from sept. 2011? i thought the prescription didn't expire for 1 year? i am just worried that they will fail me for a 7 month old prescription. PLEASE HELP!!!!

i just had a friend in the elevators union that had the same thing happen...he got a note from his doctor and everything was ok...id call ur doctor and explain what happened, im sure he'd give u a doctors note...