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Drug Testing and Other Possible Conditions of EmploymentWhile some may consider drug testing, credit checks, reference checks, and other pre-employment checks to be insidious, they are a requirement for many companies. And, yes, in most cases they are legal. Remember that little section of the employment application you didn't really read? Your signature on that document is what gives them the right. So be ready to live up to the terms to which you have already agreed. By the way, if you look closely at your acceptance letter, you may notice that the offer is contingent on you passing whatever pre-employment checks and/or tests they may have. Even if it isn't in the letter, it was probably contained within the application you signed earlier. Most employers consider these tests to be "conditions of employment," and these conditions can be in effect even after you have started with the company. On the other hand, the pre-employment check that many fear most is the pre-employment drug screening-and rightly so. A strong note of caution: if you have in the past or are presently using illegal drugs, you are strongly advised to stop using them-immediately! The day before-or even the week before-the test will likely be too late to achieve "clean" results. But if you make a commitment to steer clear far enough in advance, you may give your body enough time to detoxify and flush out. While many substances can clear in under a week, there are some that will stay with you much longer. There is no simple answer as to how long drugs will remain in your system, since the answer is influenced by the specific drug half-life, intensity of the usage, method of usage, length of usage, tolerance, fluid intake, body size, body fat, metabolism, and the specific range which the drug testing lab uses to signify a "positive" for drug use. But the following table provides some general guidelines for the amount of time a drug can be detected by most standard drug tests: Drug Detection Time
Keep in mind that detection time listed above does not mean that the drug is fully expelled from your body within that amount of time-just that it has dissipated enough that it can no longer be accurately detected-or at least is not high enough to register a "positive" on a drug test. Most drugs are treated by the body as toxins which take time to eliminate. Rather than allow excess toxins to potentially affect vital organs, they are often stored in fat cells, making them typically difficult to release or detoxify from the body. The basic drug test used by most corporate drug testing programs is called a "Five-Screen" (or "NIDA-5" or "SAMHSA-5") which is testing for five types of drugs:
Cannabinoids (Marijuana, Hashish) Marijuana - often called pot, grass, reefer, weed, herb, mary jane, or mj - is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of Cannabis sativa, the hemp plant. Most users smoke marijuana in hand-rolled cigarettes called joints, among other names; some use pipes or water pipes called bongs. A marijuana user may experience pleasant sensations, colors and sounds may seem more intense, and time appears to pass very slowly. The user's mouth feels dry, and he or she may suddenly become very hungry and thirsty. His or her hands may tremble and grow cold. The euphoria passes after awhile, and then the user may feel sleepy or depressed. Occasionally, marijuana use produces anxiety, fear, distrust, or panic. THC, the main active ingredient in marijuana, produces effects that potentially can be useful for treating a variety of medical conditions. It is the main ingredient in an oral medication that is currently used to treat nausea in cancer chemotherapy patients and to stimulate appetite in patients with wasting due to AIDS. Marijuana is the Nation's most commonly used illicit drug. More than 83 million Americans (37 percent) age 12 and older have tried marijuana at least once. Urine detection limits vary widely depending on the frequency of the drug use. In chronic users, the drug can remain detectable in the urine for up to 28 days.
Cocaine (Cocaine, Crack, Benzoylecognine). Derived from the leaves of the coca plant, cocaine is a potent central nervous system stimulant and local anesthetic. Physical and psychological effects of cocaine use include increased heart rate, fever, pupil dilation, diaphoresis, euphoria and increased energy. Common street names include "blow", "snow", "coke", "flake", "crack". Cocaine may be detected in urine up to 3 days after use.
Opiates (Heroin, Opium, Codeine, Morphine) Opiates, including heroin, morphine and codeine, are derived from the opium poppy. Medicinally, opiates are used for pain management and cough reduction. Heroin is typically sold as a white or brownish powder or as the black sticky substance known on the streets as "black tar heroin." Although purer heroin is becoming more common, most street heroin is "cut" with other drugs or with substances such as sugar, starch, powdered milk, or quinine. Street heroin can also be cut with strychnine or other poisons. Because heroin abusers do not know the actual strength of the drug or its true contents, they are at risk of overdose or death. Heroin also poses special problems because of the transmission of HIV and other diseases that can occur from sharing needles or other injection equipment. In the urine, opiates are detectable up to 3 days after use. Amphetamines (Amphetamines, Methamphetamines, Speed). Amphetamines biological effects include potent central nervous system stimulation, apetite reduction, hyperthermia, insomnia and euphoria. Pharmaceutical names include Adderall® and Dexedrine®. Common street names include "speed" and "uppers". The detection window of amphetamine in urine is 1 to 2 days after use.
Methamphetamine Methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that dramatically affects the central nervous system. High doses lead to enhanced stimulation of the central nervous system and induce euphoria, alertness and a sense of increased energy. Methamphetamine is commonly known as "speed," "meth," and "chalk." In its smoked form, it is often referred to as "ice," "crystal," "crank," and "glass." It is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol. The drug was developed early in this century from its parent drug, amphetamine, and was used originally in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers. Methamphetamine's chemical structure is similar to that of amphetamine, but it has more pronounced effects on the central nervous system. Like amphetamine, it causes increased activity, decreased appetite, and a general sense of well-being. The effects of methamphetamine can last 6 to 8 hours. After the initial "rush," there is typically a state of high agitation that in some individuals can lead to violent behavior. Methamphetamine can be detected in urine up to 3 days after use. Phencyclidine (PCP, Angel Dust) Commonly known as PCP, phencyclidine was originally developed for use as an anesthetic. Although used in veterinary medicine as a tranquilizer, the use of the drug in humans was discontinued due to negative side effects. PCP is manufactured illegally and sold on the streets under the names "angel dust", "ozone" and "crystal cyclone". Common physical effects of the drug include hallucinations, disorientation, muscular incoordination and delusions. The detection window in urine is up to 5 days for infrequent use and up to 20 days for chronic use. However, many drug testing firms now offer a "Ten-Screen" which expands to include five additional drugs:
Barbituates (Phenobarbital, Secobarbitol, Pentobarbital, Butalbital, Amobarbital). Barbiturates are a class of central nervous system depressants used medically as sedatives and anticonvulsants. Barbiturates include Phenobarbital, pentobarbital, secobarbital, butalbital and amobarbital. Common physical effects include impaired motor coordination, anesthesia, sedation, cardiovascular and respiratory depression. Short acting barbiturates, such as secobarbital and butalbital, can be detected in urine up to 4 days after use. Long-acting barbiturates, such as Phenobarbital, can be detected in urine up to 3 weeks.
Methaqualone ( Qualuudes) Benzodiazepines (Tranquilizers-Diazepam, Valium, Librium, Ativan, Xanax, Clonopin, Serax, Halcion, Rohypnol). Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs frequently prescribed for the treatment of anxiety, sleep disorders and some seizure conditions. Physical and psychological effects include lethargy, reduced motor coordination and drowsiness. Physical dependence can occur and withdrawal symptoms may appear when the medication is discontinued. Benzodiazepines may be detected in the urine up to 10 days after use. Methadone Methadone is a synthetic analgesic drug primarily used in the treatment of narcotic addiction. It is administered orally or intravenously. Physiological effects of methadone use include respiratory depression, sedation and analgesia. Methadone overdoses are characterized by stupor, hypotension, pupillary constriction and clammy skin. Left untreated methadone overdoses can lead to coma or death. Methadone can be detected in urine for up to 3 days after use.
Propoxyphene (Darvon compounds) Propoxyphene is a very popular pain reliever, widely known as "Darvon", that is a centrally acting narcotic analgesic. Commercially, propoxyphene is usually combined with aspirin or some other simple pain killer in a single tablet or capsule. This drug, which is structurally similar to methadone, has been widely abused and is tightly controlled. Side effects can include physical addiction, confusion, convulsions, dizziness, low blood pressure, and weakness. One major drug testing company is now offering the Ten-Screen for the same price as the Five-Screen. Result? Many employers end up testing for more, rather than less. Here is a list of other drugs that can be included in drug tests.
Hallucinogens (Psilocybin, Mescaline, MDMA, MDA, MDE) Ecstacy The so-called "club drug" MDMA is a synthetic, psychoactive drug chemically related to methamphetamine but with greater hallucinogenic properties. MDMA, also known as ecstacy or X, is taken orally, usually in tablets or capsules of 80 - 150 mg. The effects of the drug last 4 to 6 hours following oral administration. Like methamphetamine, adverse effects of MDMA include elevated blood pressure, hyperthermia, anxiety, paranoia and insomnia. MDMA overdoses can be fatal, often the result of heart failure or extreme heat stroke. MDMA is detectable in the urine for up to 3 days after use. Inhalents (Toluene, Xylene, Benzene) If there is a drug out there, there is a drug test for it. So if you have been exposed to illegal drugs, your best insurance for a clean drug test is to stop using them immediately. And not just temporarily - permanently. Drug test or no drug test, using illegal drugs (and excesses of alcohol) will eventually catch up with you-sooner (if you are foolish enough to use them during work hours) or later (if you obliterate the rest of your life outside work). Drugs have no place in work society today and never will. |
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