Pre-employment drug screening...

As many of you know, I was recently offered a job that I consider to be my "dream job." However, that offer was pending a pre-employment drug screen and criminal background check. Initially, I wasn't concerned -- I do not take drugs and I have never been in trouble with the law. But, I found out today that the MRO (medical review officer) who examined my drug screen needs to speak with me. And, thus, I'm a bit panicked.

Before taking the drug screen, I asked my new employer if I needed to provide information of the prescription and non-prescription drugs I take. I was told to bring the prescription bottles to the collection site, but, once there, I was not asked about what medications I take and I was told that I didn't need to provide that information. Rather, they told me not to bring the bottles (which I brought anyway in case they were needed) and that if there was an issue with the screen, I would be contacted. Well, since the drug screen results are usually available within 24-48 hours, I became nervous after an entire week went by. I took the test last Monday afternoon and I was told on Friday that the results were not back yet. And, when I called today, my employer informed me that the medical review officer needed to contact me. That means I failed the drug screen. But, only because the drug screen must have picked up on the medications I take, as prescribed by my physician, on a daily basis.

The drug I think the screen tested positive for would be Valium. I didn't know that many companies now use a 10-screen test which tests for Benzodiazapines (of which Valium is one), but, apparently, they do. I also take Celexa, an anti-depressant, and Trazodone, for sleep. And, of course, I take a number of vitamins as well as Ibuprofen. But, aside from "experimenting" as a teenager some 10 years ago, I do not take any drugs. And, I'm not around others who do (although my mother's boyfriend does smoke a certain substance frequently without regard to other people -- but, I have not been around him recently (at least a month before the test) and certainly try to stay very far away from him if he is using drugs. But, even so, that shouldn't be an issue as I do not use any substance not prescribed to me. And, the last time I took a painkiller was mid-July following my wisdom teeth extraction (I took Vicodin).

So, what this all comes down to is that I'm afraid for nothing. If I'm asked for proof of my prescription drug usage (ie. the Valium), I can provide it either by the prescription number or contact via my pharmacy or physician. It is a current prescription and I actually take less than what is prescribed. So, why am I so scared? This is my "dream job" and I cannot lose it for something I didn't even do wrong. I know I'm overreacting and acting irrational (I've been angry, upset, and anxious all day), but I can't seem to help it. The company that does the medical review called this evening, but I had fallen asleep after working out and I missed the call (I'm in the EST and they are obviously PST since they called at 7:40pm and they closed at 5:00pm). I did return the call and left a message, but I won't hear from them until tomorrow. And, I'm just scared. I know I have nothing to worry about, but I just am panicked. I'm on edge and can use any and all reassurance you can offer.

Has anyone been through this experience recently? Am I worrying for nothing or do I really need to be concerned? Like I said, I never take drugs, but am on prescription medications. I'm a good person who deserves this job...why am I so afraid? Please, any support you can offer would be greatly appreciated. I know I'm going to have a hard time going to sleep tonight. I just want to get my start date and begin working already. So, experiences, support, reassurances, anything?

And, just as an aside, you can see now why my doctor prescribes the Valium .

They'll ask your pharmacy to confirm it's a valid script.

You got the offer.

It's a valid script. Unless you're driving a fork lift take a valium and chill out.

around here most companies who one testing facility and they have for at least 8 yrs run the 10 panel... I would say just call most likely all they need it the Rx proof to match up with the test results... Todays test s will tell them everything and some vitamins slip in as other things...

So long as you have a prescription, it should be fine.

What they are looking for are illegal drugs such as cocaine etc.

Employment drug screening isn't as strict as that of a sports event.

Well, I'm a lot more relaxed this morning. Most likely, it's due to the fact that I've taken my Valium .

I called the company first thing this morning and was able to speak with the woman who contacted me last night. Apparently, I am not allowed to know what came up as positive on my drug screen, but I was asked to have my pharmacy fax over a listing of my prescription medications for the last 6 months. However, the pharmacy won't fax that information and so I'll be heading there in about a half an hour to pick up the report to fax on my own. I'll then call the company back, ensure that they received my fax, and ask how long, approximately, until I'm given either a positive or negative drug screen result.

I know I don't use drugs and so, in theory, I shouldn't be worried. But, I am concerned, nonetheless. All of the "what if's" are still swirling around and I can't help but worry. However, I'm not wasting too much time or energy on it today because I know I don't need to truly be concerned. Hopefully, as soon as the company receives the fax it will be forwarded to the MRO (medical review officer) and then my employer will be contacted. I'm really hoping that I'll have a formal start date by tomorrow at the latest. I'm not a very patient person and the waiting is getting tedious.

Thank you all for the reassurances, though. Just think, maybe by this evening I'll be able to report back that all systems are go and I will be starting my new job in a matter of days. But, nonetheless, I'll still take some vibes .

Aww, poor Alison! Just one more thing to heap onto the list of things to worry over! You know you'll be ok though once they see your drugs are legitimate. Sending my relaxing and calming vibes to you..

Bumps in the road are always nerve-wracking - but you've got documentation, I bet you have health care providers who'd be happy to back you up on any other documentation - and your new employer is going to be lucky to have you. And, I bet the grace with which you're handling these bumps will go a long way in making a good impression on the service and your employer.

Happened to me. I was Rx'd a cough syrup for a very bad chest cold at my last job (which is still my current employer) and I slammed my finger in some metal racking. Well they didn't play around and MADE me go to an urgent care to get it looked at and of course I had to have a drug test. Well this cough syrup I was on had some serious drugs in it and it would make me pretty sleepy sometimes, and my HR manager called me up to her office and said, "Um well, everything came back ok except it shows you have a high level of opiods (I think that's what it was, or tramadol maybe) in your test" I said Oh!!! no!! That's my Prescription for my cold! I have the bottle, I will bring it to you! She said no, that's alright, I believe you. I kept insisting I would bring it to her as I wasn't on any drugs. Though it was very easy to sip that cough syrup and boy did it work on that horrible cough. But it was all fine. Our employer is so nice they will give people the chance to go on a step program if they find illegal drugs in their system, they won't immediately fire them.

I would relax. You have proof of your RX's and everything should be fine. And yes, you are handling it well and I'm sure they are very aware of that. Good luck sweetie Sending calming vibes too

Well Allison hello . I am new to this forum and I typed in some key phrases regarding pre-emp drug screens. I was lucky enough to get hooked up at this forum, I am a HUGE feline fanatic!!. Wow I am having pretty much the EXACT same situation as you - just replace Valium with the other "V".  I put myself though hell for about 3 weeks trying to taper off so that I would have 2 solid days with ZERO in my system to beat the odds.  Its been 6 days since the test and they came and took my picture for my badge today and have me all lined up for training ( Our group was taken over by a VERY LARGE medical corporation - so everyone that is trying to stay on has to jump through all the hoops as any new hire would). I have been taking my "med" 2-4 times a day for about 3 years,,,so it would be considered "chronic"...but it IS Rx'd. I, too, brought all my bottles AND a letter from my doctor specifically stating the medication, usage, diagnosis and that my demeanor is fine, never wanted early refills etc. I'm perplexed because how could the MRO know any of this since it was not required to be provided along with the shipped out urine spec??. I feel like I am whistling in the dark. I keep thinking that every phone ring is going to be the MRO. I read up on all this and it says that there is a cutoff of 2000 ng/ml or something like that.  How much is that exactly in laymans terms? Maybe I had enough of it out of my system for those few days to fall under that cutoff?  Mystified.  Any comments? Should I still be worried? I was in such pain 48 hours prior that I took a 1/2 pill after not taking one for 2 days...still very worried and nervous  I probably would calm down if I took a valium  lol!  Not that this is fun, but I'm glad someone else can relate..that its not just "me".....

I live in Canada and all of our pharmacies are hooked up to what is called "DPIN"  (Manitoba Drug Information Network).  Any prescription that is filled by a pharmacy in Manitoba shows up on this secure website. It shows the patient's name, the drug, dosage, number of pills filled, the date it was filled and who prescribed the medication, and the place it was filled at.

All medical professionals, including nurses where I work, have access to this information.  Not only is it used for aiding us in knowing what medications our patients take if they have forgotten to bring their list, but it also allows us to see how much medication they take, and also to see if someone is "drug seeking" which you can tell by how fast they go through some medications, and the fact that they may be having different doctors fill prescriptions and getting them filled at different pharmacies. We look for patterns.

The "V" will be detectable for almost 30 days after the last dose is taken.  It depends on what the acceptable level for your company is.  I know some have a no-tolerance policy.