Posted on 07/06/2006 by the cynic
Viewed: 453 times
OK, so for my new job I had to go for a drug screen (the pee in a cup kind). I am not a druggie--never touched the stuff actually--and I barely drink, in other words I'm pretty straitlaced.
But the night before and morning of the drug test, I took some Advil for..mmmm....female issues...and didn't read until AFTER THE FACT that Advil shows up positive as pot.
I'd really hate for this to cost me my job, because, well, I don't do the stuff and it would be a stupid reason to reject me. But I've also heard that no company will give you a second chance or give you a reason why you didn't pass the background check, so if it was that, I'll likely never know.
I also found out after the fact that vitamins also show up as drugs in these tests, and I take those as well.
The reason I'm scared is that I haven't heard from the company since Monday when I took the test, and I really hope I didn't throw away my chances on stupid vitamins and pain medicines.
Has anyone tested or seen a coworker test falsely positive for something, and not been given the chance to redeem themselves? Please help....
POST A COMMENTthe cynic(07/06/2006)
I keep reading this online, that people have lost out on offers due to false positives. I know that Ibuprofen can be mistaken for pot, but I don't know what vitamins can show up as besides "other," I've just read that they can also register a false positive. If from what you're saying, it's unlikely, then I'm not worried--maybe the sources online that said this were actual potheads trying to cover it up. :-) Also, as long as they tell me if there's a problem so I'm able to contest, that alleviates my other worry. They're probably slow due to July 4th weekend and I will follow up, I just don't know how much a prospective employee has "right to know" in these cases, that's all.
vanilla ginger(07/06/2006)
I think if it has to do with personal medical history, you may have a RIGHT to know. Maybe not from the employer, but the lab may release the results they gave the employer. It just seems odd that the lab would not warn of common OTC meds or supplements that create a false positive before someone took a test. Imagine the lawsuits that would result from false-positive tests where it was later proven there was no drug use.
freedomringer(07/07/2006)
I have to say something, really? I optimize methods on a GC/MS and LC/MS system. I have had extensive experience with drug testing and method validation, your information is wrong!!!!!! THC can only show up as THC or the derived compound, the metabolites from Advil will not show a positive drug test unless they test for Advil metabolites. Plus if for any reason you test positive, you can have a hair sample tested, which shows habitual use of drugs, not a random exposure. Do not panic.
Loves 2 Run(07/07/2006)
RIGHT ON FREEDOMRINGER!!! Who tells people this stuff? I suppose Poppy Seed bagels show up as Opium too. Not! I take Rx meds and trust me when I tell you, they are only looking for illegial drugs...not your Centrum Vitamins. It's the weekend...chill out dude.
the cynic(07/07/2006)
You guys inspired me to check Snopes.com, and it does come up as true: http://snopes.com/medical/drugs/poppyseed.asp Here are some more links: http://www.jointogether.org/news/headlines/inthenews/2001/more-employees-challenging.html https://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/case/false_positive
just me(07/07/2006)
This is all interesting to know. I have never heard that people think that. Probably a legend started by the Tylenol people to scare Advil users. =)
the cynic(07/07/2006)
Justme: True, but according to the links above, it may very likely be true. As long as I could dispute a false positive, I'm fine, but these stories about rescinded job offers with no chance to dispute are what scares me. Tha would be wonderful--to lose a job offer based on a false accusation. :( BTW they did NOT ask me about any other meds I was taking, which after the fact I see that they should have.
freedomringer(07/07/2006)
No Offense, but I read somewhere about the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus are real, but I do not believe everything I read!! Instead I focus on things I know, by Scientific method to be true. If for a fact that by some mistake or contamination, you test positive there are other methods and safe guards in place to protect your rights. For example, they can test hair, for habitual use, they can test blood for metabolites that may interfere with GC/MS results. I am currently working on a GC/MS method for the analysis of F-2 isoprostanes in urine. These compounds are oxidative stress metabolites; for which you are creating in yourself by the worrying too much over something you have no control over. Stress kills more people than cigerrettes, cars, alcohol, obesity, and cancer. Stress is the causitive agent to almost all human illnesses. Stop the cycle.
avid reader(07/07/2006)
freedomringer: EXCELLENT! p.s. you sound like a person with whom I could have a really fascinating conversation with. Fascinating to me that is, because I would just be listening to the information you have. Maybe I could talk about books I read. LOL! My brother-in-law is a chemist and his wife is a biochemist and it is so freakin cool to listen to the things they are working on. Sometimes makes me feel like my job is a joke---which, now that I mention it, is! LOL
avid reader(07/07/2006)
I just asked my brother-in-law the chemist and he said: "I've seen it reported on sites before but I've never actually seen it happen. Most of the sites don't have any data to support it."
the cynic(07/07/2006)
That's more promising!! Thanks!
the cynic(07/07/2006)
I just called them to "follow up" and make sure they received all documents from me. Drug test seems fine. What's holding it up is the background check (aka, calling all employers for the past 10 years, which can take time during summer hours). They gave me a start date too--progress!
senior(07/18/2006)
Applying for a seasonal job with the Post Office a few years ago I also was required to take a drug test. When a doctor called me to tell me my I tested positive for opiates I was shocked since I not only did not take illegal drugs but I do not take over the counter medication either. It all seems so funny and silly now but I, too, felt devastated by the event. As long as you know you are drug-free maybe you are just better off without that employer. Hope you can soon laugh at the entire event. Best wishes.
C - -(07/19/2006)
Read somewhere the cheaper the lab the more unreliable the results. Most labs I've been to handed me a lot of paper work first and asked a lot of questions, including food, drink, over the counter and other medication. They also gave me a moist medicated towelette, very embarrassing. If your future employer is too cheap to send you to a good lab what else is he going to cheap on? You reputation and your life by any chance.
momalie2(07/20/2006)
I agree with C's comment. Cheap Labs - Cheap boss!
vanilla ginger (07/06/2006)
OK, let me make sure I read this correctly: Advil shows up on a drug test as pot, and vitamins show up on a drug test as "other drugs." How reliable is this information? Where did you read this? I'd call your family doctor and re-verify the validity of this information. In the mean time, call the company you tested for and follow up with them about the POSITION. Don't let yourself out of a good job for lack of a follow-up call. If there's a problem, they'll probably tell you.
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