DRUG TEST QUESTION

The Juggler
The Juggler Posts: 49,598
edited March 2009 in All Encompassing Trip
i feel like such a complete loser douche bag right now...

has anyone failed a drug test or know anything about these tests? anyone work in an hr department here? i really need advice badly....

i can count on one, maybe 2 hands the amounts of times ive done illegal drugs and the last time was over 10 years ago...

however, i just found out that my test was positive for codeine. the test was done for a new job. the reason why codeine was in my system was because its in my girlfriend's cough syrup that i took last week since we were both sick. right now im unemployed and im not paying for cobra at the current time. so i dont have any health insurance. stupid--i know. but whatever. we both had the same symptons so i took some of her medicine. its not like i took pain killers or something. i took fucking cough medicine. maybe im stupid but i didnt even think about this when i went to take my drug test last week.

the place that administered the test called me to find out if i have a prescription for it and i told them the story. nothing they can do. she did say perhaps i can get my doctor to write a note saying it was okay to use my girlfriend's medicine, but i highly doubt he will do that even though i have a good relationship with him. they are informing my potential employer right away. so i just left the hr lady a voicemail to call me so i can explain myself to her.

has anyone found themselves in an even remotely similar situation? would an hr department even listen to my side of the story since its not like i tested positive for pot or coke or something. i really fucked up here, but i mean, i was really fucking sick for a couple days last week. i need this job really really badly. and would just appreciate whatever kind of advice you can bestow on me.....

thank
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Comments

  • AmentsChick
    AmentsChick Posts: 6,969
    Dude that seriously SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKS. I wish I had some advice for you. I wish you the best...I hope it works out!
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  • Lizard
    Lizard So Cal Posts: 12,091
    AmentsChick wrote:
    Dude that seriously SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKS. I wish I had some advice for you. I wish you the best...I hope it works out!
    +1
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  • chromiam
    chromiam Posts: 4,114
    The only thing I would suggest is to tell your story and offer to take a secondary test to confirm or refute the first. If the company won't retest due to cost, you could always offer to pay for the test yourself, but I'm sure they could decline to hire you even after a negative result on the 2nd test....

    good luck
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  • AmentsChick
    AmentsChick Posts: 6,969
    chromiam wrote:
    The only thing I would suggest is to tell your story and offer to take a secondary test to confirm or refute the first. If the company won't retest due to cost, you could always offer to pay for the test yourself, but I'm sure they could decline to hire you even after a negative result on the 2nd test....

    good luck

    +1
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  • Given to...
    Given to... Wyoming Posts: 5,007
    At my place of employ...

    tests are screened for many indicators, if a positive shows, then its off to the office...
    I understand there are quantitative test that can further determine the offence, but they are not obligated to pay for them.

    I would talk to the HR department, give them the story and find out if they would be willing to give you the option of retesting at your expense. I dont know how long it would stay in your system and they may tell you to piss up a rope, but its worth a try.

    good luck, shit like that doesnt weed out the users and abusers... they seem to have all the angles figured out
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  • chromiam
    chromiam Posts: 4,114
    Codeine will stay in your system for approximately 3 to 5 days...
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  • Brain of J.Lo
    Brain of J.Lo Posts: 3,259
    Wow... That is some serious bullshit.
  • Cinnamon Girl
    Cinnamon Girl Posts: 1,854
    I can't believe that you could get fired for having codeine in your system!? :o

    You can get over-the-counter Tylenol 2 which has codeine in it, which I've done many times. That is ridiculous!!

    Sorry I have no advice....but I feel for you. Good luck!
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  • The Juggler
    The Juggler Posts: 49,598
    chromiam wrote:
    Codeine will stay in your system for approximately 3 to 5 days...


    well that is good to know if they do allow me to take it again at my own expense. thanks

    does anyone know how much it would cost to pay for this myself?
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  • mfc2006
    mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,491
    man, that sucks! the only advice that i can offer is what's already been said. talk to the HR rep & offer to re-take the test. maybe you could show them the receipt for the medicine so they know that you aren't full of it? good luck, man.
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  • mickeyrat
    mickeyrat Posts: 44,807
    Jeags , that does suck. Not to be a downer or negative , but taking medication prescribed for someone else would , in my opinion , send up a red flag.Doesn't cast you in a good light. I know where you're coming from with the explanation. Hope you catch the HR person on a good day/ in a good mood. Good luck!
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  • Heatherj43
    Heatherj43 Posts: 1,254
    I have had 2 jobs where I had to do drug screens for my clients. In this case I would want to see the girlfriends bottle of cough medicine. It is illegal for her to share, and for you to take. I am unsure as an employer if I would look at that aspect. For my clients, I likely would try to work around it, but unsure as a boss.
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  • Heineken Helen
    Heineken Helen Posts: 18,095
    How the hell can they turn you down cos you've codeine in your system??? :shock: That's a fucking joke and seriously shite... hope you can sort it out somehow :( fuckers! What kinda job is it that you can't have taken painkillers?
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  • mickeyrat
    mickeyrat Posts: 44,807
    Heineken Helen wrote:
    How the hell can they turn you down cos you've codeine in your system??? :shock: That's a fucking joke and seriously shite... hope you can sort it out somehow :( fuckers! What kinda job is it that you can't have taken painkillers?
    Helen , over here prescribed meds area controlled substance. Unless it's over the counter , it's illegal to take unless precribed to you.
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  • The Juggler
    The Juggler Posts: 49,598
    Heatherj43 wrote:
    I have had 2 jobs where I had to do drug screens for my clients. In this case I would want to see the girlfriends bottle of cough medicine. It is illegal for her to share, and for you to take. I am unsure as an employer if I would look at that aspect. For my clients, I likely would try to work around it, but unsure as a boss.

    thanks. just curious, what kind of job do you have?
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  • The Juggler
    The Juggler Posts: 49,598
    mickeyrat wrote:
    Heineken Helen wrote:
    How the hell can they turn you down cos you've codeine in your system??? :shock: That's a fucking joke and seriously shite... hope you can sort it out somehow :( fuckers! What kinda job is it that you can't have taken painkillers?
    Helen , over here prescribed meds area controlled substance. Unless it's over the counter , it's illegal to take unless precribed to you.

    i am such an idiot
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  • Who Princess
    Who Princess out here in the fields Posts: 7,305
    The Jeagler wrote:
    i am such an idiot
    Before you completely beat yourself up over this, wait until it plays out.

    You did something based on your circumstances. I am currently paying through the nose for COBRA coverage so I understand why many people aren't able to. I've had to give up a lot of other things to keep mine.

    You were sick and you wanted to get better so used your gf's medicine. It's easy to say now that it wasn't a smart decision but how many other people have done the same kind of thing at one time or another? I don't put that in quite the same category as if you'd gone out and bought crack.

    Being in a crappy situation and making a decision when you were sick may cost you a job that you really need. That SUCKS. Learn from this. By posting on this board other people are going to learn from it too.

    I hope things work out OK for you. Believe me, I know all too well how frustrating the job search gig is. :)
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  • The Juggler
    The Juggler Posts: 49,598
    well i have good news to report. apparently i have one of the coolest doctors in the world. he agreed to write a note stating he's cool with me taking the girlfriend's cough medicine. i just need to swing by his office tomorrow to show him the bottle so he's knows i'm not full of poop.

    so if this company still gives me shit about having codeine in my system even with a dr's not, then fuck 'em. :twisted:

    i appreciate your input today class. no homework tonight!
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  • jervin007
    jervin007 Posts: 3,182
    I took that stuff a few years ago when I had a horrible cough/sore throat/cold and all i needed to do was show my drivers license and sign my name on a record. That was up in Maine though. Codeine is no joke though, and once you test positive for any drug its tough to argue why. Hope everything works out for you though man!
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  • Travelar
    Travelar Posts: 3,444
    The Jeagler wrote:
    well i have good news to report. apparently i have one of the coolest doctors in the world. he agreed to write a note stating he's cool with me taking the girlfriend's cough medicine. i just need to swing by his office tomorrow to show him the bottle so he's knows i'm not full of poop.

    Sweet deal. Hopefully The Jeagler can get the job.

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