
Hello, I Recently Failed A Random Drug Test At Work

Question: Hello, I recently failed a random drug test at work for having two older prescriptions that were prescribed to me in my system. I was curious to know is how hope lost or is there anyway to make a doctors appointment to explain the situation and maybe get a not from the physician saying it was ok to take at the time. My place of employment said this may help

How long does it typically take to get a reply. I don’t mean to rush but my employer has been asking when I can give an any update. I appreciate any information you are able to give. Sincerely thanks
Brief Answer:
I reply the moment I get beeped
Detailed Answer:
can be up to 3 hrs....usually 1 hr.
This is entirely a function of the job. if you are an airline pilot it is definitely hopeless. if you re in the military it is rough. Otherwise.... it is hard to say. For all of the drug classes:
opiates are used for pain. and saying "gee I hurt so I took one" months after they were prescribed. this would generally be bad. Likewise lyrica and XXXXXXX for nerve pain would be similar.
Sedatives/sleeping pills... hard to say. On the sleeping pills, they are MEANT to be used sparingly over a long time, so this is probably the best case for it.
Valium, xanax, might be used this way; but they shouldn't be used this way and it is likely to be a problem.
Several options.
get the pharmacy to give you a print out
get the dogtor to release medical records
most states have a prescription drug registry. it is about NEVER given to employers. It is not often given to patients and many tmes physicians don't een know it exists ! but it is possible.
Next part.
I am NOT a legal expert. So, I cannot say about the legal ramifications of discrimination on the basis of either a simple situaiton of disability. or a complex issue of disability (drug addiction). but they test to get rid of people with drug problems. They just dont define what drug problems mean.
I reply the moment I get beeped
Detailed Answer:
can be up to 3 hrs....usually 1 hr.
This is entirely a function of the job. if you are an airline pilot it is definitely hopeless. if you re in the military it is rough. Otherwise.... it is hard to say. For all of the drug classes:
opiates are used for pain. and saying "gee I hurt so I took one" months after they were prescribed. this would generally be bad. Likewise lyrica and XXXXXXX for nerve pain would be similar.
Sedatives/sleeping pills... hard to say. On the sleeping pills, they are MEANT to be used sparingly over a long time, so this is probably the best case for it.
Valium, xanax, might be used this way; but they shouldn't be used this way and it is likely to be a problem.
Several options.
get the pharmacy to give you a print out
get the dogtor to release medical records
most states have a prescription drug registry. it is about NEVER given to employers. It is not often given to patients and many tmes physicians don't een know it exists ! but it is possible.
Next part.
I am NOT a legal expert. So, I cannot say about the legal ramifications of discrimination on the basis of either a simple situaiton of disability. or a complex issue of disability (drug addiction). but they test to get rid of people with drug problems. They just dont define what drug problems mean.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad


Hello doctor, thanks for you response. I thought I may give a little background if you didn’t have it. The Valium was prescribed has a result of a car accident I was in where there was a loss of life. I managed to pretty much keep this under control through excise except in rare cases. The other pain medication I have been dealing with kidney stones for the past three months and have the paperwork to prove this. I was prescribed hydrocodone. Which doesn’t sit well with my system so I took the oxycodone that was all ready prescribed. Would this chan
Brief Answer:
I think it could be worked out.
Detailed Answer:
The number of pills in the prescription matters a bit. Maybe only to me. And, if the prescription was the usual 20 pills or less and you had a few left, 1) it certainly goes against an abuse pattern 2) it isn't illegal or even a bad idea 3) it is part of normal recuperation.
There's a problem with being fired for a normal illness.
THEY have to put something down somewhere on a policy which you are being called on. Once you have the policy issue, then you can go to your doctor and get a simple excuse.
This is really just a bit of a complicated version of a sick note.
I think it could be worked out.
Detailed Answer:
The number of pills in the prescription matters a bit. Maybe only to me. And, if the prescription was the usual 20 pills or less and you had a few left, 1) it certainly goes against an abuse pattern 2) it isn't illegal or even a bad idea 3) it is part of normal recuperation.
There's a problem with being fired for a normal illness.
THEY have to put something down somewhere on a policy which you are being called on. Once you have the policy issue, then you can go to your doctor and get a simple excuse.
This is really just a bit of a complicated version of a sick note.
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T

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