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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Will Opiates In Methadone Show In Drug Test?

My employers did a random drug test the other day just as a health and safety measure. I was one of the 3 chosen. I ve worked there for 2&a half years. For the past 3&a half years I ve been on a methadone program. There has never been any issues at work and i m classed as a really hard worker. I have never informed my employer of my program as I am very secretive about this because it brings up the past etc and only a hand full of people know. The issue is my sample showed I had methadone in my system, that my employer now knows is prescribed. I took opiates for the 1st time in 5 month at the weekend (typical) so when the proper result comes back from the lab it will show up. Is there any way this could be passed as the methadone as I m lead to believe there are opiates in methadone? If not is there any medication that you can buy over the counter that I could pass off as what the opiate could be eg; a strong ibuprofen? The reason being is I don t want to loose my job and I don t think that my employers want to get rid of me but when this sample comes back from the lab saying positive for methadone and positive for opiates they will quiz the opiate thing and it would be good if I could get away with it looking like effects from the methadone or if that doesn t work saying I took strong pain killers I bought over the counter. I have been suspended without pay until they find out some things from my GP with my consent but the opiate thing will destroy any chances I have of keeping my job. I truly hope you can help me answer this question as it has been constantly on my mind since it happened on Tuesday and I have to go back up to see my employer this Wednesday to find out my fate. My employer told me to gather as much info as I can and keep sending him it before Wednesday. He said that he cannot stress this enough. Thanks.
Fri, 27 Sep 2013
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic

You are working with your present employer since last 2.5 years and are on methadone program since last 3.5 years. You came positive for random opioid tests done at work place.
As you are on methadone it is common to have false positive tests for opioid. Methadone itself is an opioid drug, it is a synthetic opioid and tests come positive with it. But if lab used specific tests for commonly used opioids then this is not possible. Best thing that can be done is to explain them that methadone itself is an opioid and you were on replacement program.

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Will Opiates In Methadone Show In Drug Test?

Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic You are working with your present employer since last 2.5 years and are on methadone program since last 3.5 years. You came positive for random opioid tests done at work place. As you are on methadone it is common to have false positive tests for opioid. Methadone itself is an opioid drug, it is a synthetic opioid and tests come positive with it. But if lab used specific tests for commonly used opioids then this is not possible. Best thing that can be done is to explain them that methadone itself is an opioid and you were on replacement program. Thanks