I failed a drug test because of my anti-anxiety medication!
@SereneSecrets (166)
United States
May 17, 2007 11:55am CST
I am really upset right now because I just got a call from a job that I was just hired at on Monday and that I was dying to work at. That day, they made me go take a drug test, like many employers will. I had no problem with that. Then when I got to the testing facility I realized that I had taken some Xanax that morning before I went to the interview because of my anxiety disorder and the panic that goes along with having to be interviewed anyway. I told the lady at the lab about it and let her know that I had a prescrption for it if they needed it. She said that they send away the urine samples to a lab and the results come from them, not the place I was at. She also said that if they find a medication that would be considered a controlled substance, such as Xanax, in my urine, they would contact me to verify I had a prescription before giving a FAIL notice to my employer. Well, that did not happen, and now I was denied employment because of it. It was a very small amount of Xanax too...less than 1 mg. I am disputing it with the corporate office of my employer because I don't think that it is legal to deny me a job because I am on precribed medication.
can you believe this?
4 people like this
6 responses
@Mickie30 (2626)
•
17 May 07
Thats disgusting I mean that is so unfair how dare they put you through this? You told them about the medication from the outset it is not your fault you have to take it. Does that mean I would not get the job because I am on mental health medication. That sucks!!!
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
21 May 07
Yes I can believe it. Do you read what you sign? I read the stuff with the employer I signed. It said (I'm paraphrasing now):
"We are not responsible for positive tests, incorrect lab results or false positives."
Basically if there is an error and it gives you a false positive the employer is not responsible and you will be denied employment! Unfortunately, you may not have a case. Most of the time they will not even allow you to have a re-test either. However, since you have a prescription that may allow you to do that. However, realize that you just cannot take ANYTHING and you have to make 100% sure they are doing the test correctly. Ask a lot of questions such as where is the label on my sample? Did you sterilize the cup, etc, because if it is EVER positive they will deny you and most of the time they will not overturn it. Read the agreement that you signed, okay?
Pablo
@SereneSecrets (166)
• United States
21 May 07
It actually has nothing to do with a false positive. It is positive because I am on prescription medication, and it is the labs responsibility to verify prescriptions to rule out the medication that was found in my sample. It is actually against the law to deny me employment because I am taking a prescription medication. They have a lawsuit on their hands, and they know it because they are correcting it as I type this.
@mamasan34 (6518)
• United States
20 May 07
That is a gross injustice! I would do as you did. If you have a prescription they should have excused it. There is not a reason for them not to. You have proof and you told the testing lab of the situation as well. They are supposed to write that down and let them know that you have a prescription and it is legal. Definitely take care of that and push the issue.
1 person likes this
@besthope44 (12123)
• India
6 Oct 10
Well for depression, medicines are not solution. Do Meditation, try breathing exercise, it will help you balance and handle anxiety.
