Posted by Elizabeth on June 12, 2001, at 2:59:29
In reply to Re: Ambien and Drug Tests, posted by Daveman on June 11, 2001, at 20:38:41
> > Benzos aren't part of the basic 5-panel test: it includes marijuana, amphetamine, opiates, cocaine, and PCP.
>
> Benzodiazepenes are commonly tested for in any job where motor skills are required.Ahh, of course. All my friends who've had pre-employment screenings do desk work (computers, mainly), and the rest of my friends and family are in academia, where they don't do drug screenings. (Except for one who was working for the Department of Energy and probably had to be tested for everything under the sun -- those national labs have a very stringent drug-free workplace policy!)
You make a good point that employers aren't supposed to discriminate against you for taking any legally prescribed medication. Also, as you say, it's important to find out what will be tested for (if you aren't told). Some psych drugs can show up on common tests, often because of metabolites. (I tested positive for amphetamine while taking selegiline: it can happen.) Amusingly enough, buprenorphine doesn't show up as an "opiate," presumably because it's not metabolised to morphine or 6-monoacetylmorphine. (Demerol and fentanyl probably wouldn't show up on this type of test, either.)
I'm still curious about this "other" category. What else might it include? Wouldn't they have to test specifically for each "other" drug?
I hope I never have to take one of those tests. Not that I take illicit drugs, but I just don't feel that my employer should ever have access to my bodily fluids.
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:65589
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010605/msgs/66200.html