Drug test question

T-Bird78 · Jul 30, 2013

I'm not sure if you have to disclose it, but if something does show up on your drug screen you just have to provide a script from the doc showing you're taking it legally. People with AD/HD have that same problem with their meds too.

BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2013

I probably wouldn't disclose it prior to the drug screen but would make sure to include it when asked if taking any medications that may show up. I know the last drug screen I did asked that question and I included everything (ibuprofen, Zyrtec from 3 days ago, etc) just to be on the safe side.

There's no way for you to know that's why they're not hiring you in the end though. You could get the offer, do the drug screen with it showing the Xanax, and have them say they've decided to go in a different direction or that they've decided it's not the right fit. I know people on anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds that have jobs and did drug screens prior to employment without any problems but you never know what an employer is going to find fault with. Good luck!

MunoRN, RN · Jul 30, 2013

Employers aren't required to allow the use of medications, even when legally prescribed and used. Many employers screen only for illegal drug use (use of street drugs and use of prescription drugs without a valid prescription), but more and more are choosing to ban the use of medications that are legitimately prescribed and used, so long as they can make a claim that use of prescription medication could affect performance and safety, you aren't protected by the ADA or any other law.

I'd agree that the best tactic is to be honest. I know a Nurse who applied to my hospital as a New Grad. She falsely assumed that it wouldn't be a problem if she didn't disclose that she was taking vicodin, since she thought the hospital wouldn't know about it anyway since she would just provide the lab with her valid prescription, which wasn't true. As it turned out she still could have gotten the job since she was only taking the vicodin short term, but since she lied about she'll likely never have a chance of getting hired there.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2013

I'm sure this question has been asked and answered before but I was looking for a more recent/current answer. Can an employer not hire me if I disclose that I am prescribed Xanax? Can they say that this will affect my job performance and I'm a liability? I know I am subject to a drug test and it may or may not show up on the test depending on when I last took it, but I was under the impression that it was best to be up front with information instead of trying to hide it. This is for an RN position in a hospital. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Short answer- yes.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 31, 2013

Yes, there does exist a small chance that you will not be hired due to your Xanax use, but that's a very small chance. The majority of places will hire you as long as you provide a valid script and aren't abusing the drug...just keep in mind that a valid script isn't bulletproof protection against an employer.

You being on Xanax doesn't have to be public knowledge--you don't have to tell every single person you encounter in the HR food chain about it. But IMO, since there's a good chance you will pop positive for benzos, definitely disclose it before the test and be prepared to present a script. Because as you've seen from other posts, you may not get the chance to explain a positive result.

Best of luck.

allnurses Guide · Jul 31, 2013

It can.

SionainnRN · Jul 31, 2013

Even though you have a legit prescription for the med they may not hire you. Being on a benzo at work can open you up as a liability since if something were to happen and you were drug tested you could show up positive. I would be upfront about the scripts.

delilahgirl · Jul 31, 2013

I've never actually taken it while at work or even before going to work. I rarely take it as it is and mainly use it just to sleep, if at all. If I don't take it between now and the drug test there's a good chance it won't show up because it will have been about 9 days since I've taken it. With that being said, if there's even a small chance it could show up and they ask to disclose medications prior to the drug test then I would rather be honest. The thing is most companies use a third party to do drug testing and won't disclose a positive result if you provide a valid prescription because its technically considered negative. Hospitals, however, seem to do their own drug testing on site so they would automatically know if a test truly came back positive. So that's where the predicament lies.

canned_bread · Jul 31, 2013

Unless it is directly asked of you, I would not disclose it as long as it does not influence your work performance. If you are prescribed it legally, and you do not lie about it, there should be no legal ramifications.

tyvin, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2013

You have a right to privacy. The drug testing co. cannot disclose to the employer what prescribed meds you are period. When the lab calls you then disclose to the doctor you're legal Rx and the phone # of you doctor who prescribes it. If it checks out the drug test is sent back to the employer as a negative.

Some labs will have forms that ask what meds you're on before you take the test.I write on it a not to have the lab doctor call me for that information when the test is done and I will give them the info. I live in a very small place where everyone knows everyone so that why I do it that way.

Many people are misinformed or don't understand that you do not have to disclose your private life to your employer. The drug labs have faced many law suits over disclosing legal med info to employers. It's either a negative or a positive which in that case it depends on which state you reside if the negative drug info can be shared with the employer.

It's a real crap shoot when you decide to disclose meds to your employer. Some are understanding and don't have a concern with it and others will regard you as damaged goods and a danger to the patients (which of course you're not).

Let your doctor know you are taking a drug screen test so he will know that they will be calling. The only responsibility the drug company has to the employer is to let them know the results of the screening. If you don't want the employer to know you don't have to tell them because the drug testing co certainly can't (not legally anyway).

I don't know what state you live in but here the hospitals have to send the employees out to a drug testing facility not affiliated with them for employee testing. Also, if you're so worried and you say you don't take the med on a regular basis why not just stop taking a week prior to testing? I believe that half life is 12 hours and so it would take a longer time then 3 or 4 days to get out of the system, of course depending on the dose as well. Anyway...

Good luck