Can anyone give me advice about drug screens

huckfinn · Aug 6, 2001

Just go into the thing open minded. Typically they are not looking for prescribed meds. They are on the look-out for cannabis, cocaine, opiates, etc. STREET DRUGS! Make the testing folks aware of any controlled substances or medications you regularly take or are taking under prescription scheduling or PRN.

I use to be the Officer in charge of drug testing for an Air Force Base so I know these things. You have nothing to worry about unless you are a recreational drug user or eat lots and lots of poppy seed rolls.

Charles S. Smith, RN, MS · Aug 6, 2001

Originally posted by oramar
I might have to undergo a drug screen as a stipulation of employment. I had dental surgery three months ago and took a few vicodan at that time. Also, I took one Xanax the night before my daughters wedding two months ago.(I could feel myself starting to lose it.) Is there any chance of either of these drugs showing up on a screen? If they would show up would the fact that I can produce a perscription make any difference? I have not had any kind of medication for the last two months.

don't sweat it Oramar...the drug screens detect anything greater than therapeutic levels in most cases (depending on the lab and the 5 or 9 panel screens). One time usage of prescription drugs is really not an issue.

regards and best wishes with the new job!

chas

MollyJ · Aug 6, 2001

Along with your drug screen, you are asked to fill out paper work on any routine meds you are on. i don't claim to be an expert on the pharmacodynamics of Xanax and Vicodan but I'd be surprised if they are anything but LONG GONE.

On the paper work, it is important to fill in any routine or prns that you are taking: for example I think there can be cross-reactivity with some decongestants and some amphetamines (and I am not even willing to bet more than 50 cents on that). Like Huck and Chuck (sorry, Charles) said, they're not lookin' for the occasional user of prescription drugs.

oramar · Aug 6, 2001

This sort of thing always seems to produce anxiety in the innocent and the guilty just don't give a crap.

CEN35 · Aug 6, 2001

hey? If your innocent who cares? Second.......I remember doing a thing on tox screens. The way I remember it...the longest duration that a drug can be deteced is under 10 days. I beleive that is THC also. Drug screens detect metabolites in the urine, that are drug specific (i.e. benzo's, opiates, etc etc). Your in the clear.......be happy! :)

DTC · Apr 1, 2007

Wellllllllll,,while persuing the posts I rean across this one and now I"M paranoid as well,,lol. I start my first LPN job next week and while not currently taking any prescriptin meds,,DO have prescriptions for prn use,,,Xanax and Phenergan and Lortabs. I rarely take any of them. Do I reveal this on my paperwork when asked,,or as someone said,,only if they are reguarly used? I would hate not to list tehm , sometime later,,use the drug,,then get hit with a random drug screen.

I DID have a short lived job at an residential drug/alcohol rehab facility months back. I listed the same drugs I mentioned above,,,and they told me I couldnt take any of them withihn 3 days of a work day. THen I got pneumonia and my physicain gtave me Vicodin cough med, I called my DON to see if it was ok to take it,,as I would be off for three or four days,,he got all worked up and told me it was on the list of drugs i couldnt take within 3 days of a work day,,,so I thanked him,,,went home,,took my meds,,,called him back and told him I just didnt think the facility was the place for me to work. Half the staff there were in recovery,,but I do not and never have had any kind of problem with any drugs. Pfft,,,I just needed to get that off my chest,,it STILL irritates me!

TazziRN, RN · Apr 2, 2007

Oh, good Lord, I didn't look at the OP date......never mind

butterfly01 · Apr 2, 2007

Despite the fact that the original thread was posted long ago, DTC had a question.

Let me try to help.

No one here has ever had a similar experience, therefore, you need to ask your BON.

Someone should lock this thread.....SIRI....

zacarias, ASN, RN · Apr 2, 2007

most drugs will be out of urine detection in two whole days. Marijuana is the main one they're looking for and depending on your body make up, it can show up for several weeks.