Drug test for employment question.

Parent Cafe
1

First, I never get to boast about my eldest…life hasn’t been easy with him since 15. So, he has one more semester and summer class to graduate! But he landed a summer internship, where if it works out you stay on! He applied 2 months ago and just had his 2nd interview and was offered the job last Friday. I think his Dad and I were more thrilled than him. We’ve really worried about his employment prospects with his dismal grades, but they must have liked him.

Anyway here is my question. He has to take a drug test…which is of no concern. But he takes ADD medication. We told him to take his prescription with him to the lab so he has proof the chemical in him is from that.

Will the lab tell the place of employment he is on ADD meds, or just that there are no illegal substances in his system?

2

He should tell the lab about all of his Rxs, and the lab will NOT disclose his medications to the potential employer.

3

But they have to tell them something? Or are they typically testing for specific chemicals.

4

He should be fine. They only test for illegal stuff. There are a lot of people on ADD meds and they are employed.

He should find out when and where he needs to get the test done. I just had one done few months ago. They told me that I had exactly 3 days to get the test done or the offer was null and void.

5

They tell the employer nothing other than yes or no to a list of drugs the employer asks for.

I take ADD meds and they are not looking for that. Usually the ask what prescriptions you are currently on anyway. Not to worry.

6

First, @conmama, congratulations. It’s so satisfying when they finally get what they deserve!

Secondly, I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. Yes, he should tell the lab, but they’re typically testing for marijuana and opioids.

7

Thanks all. They made the offer Thursday and had until today to get it done. He went in this morning. I don’t think he even took his meds over the weekend.

8

I think those types of meds run through your system very quickly anyway. I assume he told the lab about them.

9

It is totally not an issue. We are randomly tested often. Not an issue.

10

They’re looking for illegal meds. We drug test and I have never heard what regular medicines are taken.

11

He took his prescription bottle with the label on it…name, med, pharmacy, etc.

12

I think it’s a smart idea to have the prescription available in case it comes up, since some ADD meds are pretty identical chemical to some recreational drugs, but he should be fine (either listing meds he’s taking or sharing prescription info) and I think that that’s information that the employer probably wouldn’t need or want anyway.

13

Co mama,
Big congrats to your son. He did the right thing by bringing bottle with him. I’m so happy for you all that an internship and job are in sight.

14

Yay on the job!!! I like hearing good news and I have a child about whom I wasn’t always happy let alone boasting about so yeah! Good job!

15

@conmama and others, I’m curious as to what industries are drug testing these days. I can see how it can be important in certain professions. If anyone cares to name the industry/field, I don’t need a company name or anything.

16

I was drug tested when I worked for the state library. As far as I know, pretty much all state employees had to submit to a drug test. But only one, right before hire. Never any other time (at least at my place).

But interestingly, not when I worked for an IPV shelter, an elementary school, or at a youth sports photography company. Go figure. (In fact, at the IPV shelter, my boss once said “I don’t blame anyone who needs a joint when they get home at night after working in this place.” )

17

I have worked for the state for several years–I wasn’t drug tested when I was hired but they have since started. I was tested at 2 of the 3 hotels I worked at. It’s pretty commonplace across all kinds of industries now.

18

I was drug tested for the apartment company I’ll be interning with this summer (HQ’d in a legal marijuana state). However, they gave me a month’s notification that they would administer the urine test. That much time means that only drug addicts will fail.

I have a number of friends who work in oil and they were all given hair tests which can detect drug use up to 90 days after the fact.

19

The fed govt tests. H got “pee” tests and someone went to the bathroom with you. They definitely had a procedure to minimize cheating. Everyone at the workplace–civilians and military were tested.

20

We’re vendors in hospitals who require it for credentialing.