drug test

[pandrolsmasher]

Hi guys been on the railway a couple of years now, went to go to a new company and had to do a new d&a my results have since been sent away for further analysis I know myself there’s no illegal drugs in my system or over the counter drugs. There saying don’t worry but I’m second guessing myself now anyone had this before?

 

[alxndr]

D&A screening is commonplace. As long as you've not done anything you'll be fine. You just get the niggles because you don't know for certain if you've been exposed without knowing (spiking etc).

 

[Llanigraham]

It is alleged that eating poppy seeds such as in bread can result in a spurious test, needing further testing.

 

[Trackman]

Never heard of a sample being sent away for further analysis, well at NR anyway.
It's a measurement at the end of the day, so yea or nay.
I wouln't worry, could be some problem with their testing equipment.

 

[Highlandspring]

Never heard of a sample being sent away for further analysis, well at NR anyway.

I have.

 

[Llanigraham]

And I have.
It is generally done where there is a query about something in the sample, or where permitted levels of certain substances is are close to their limit.

 

[alxndr]

Never heard of a sample being sent away for further analysis, well at NR anyway.
It's a measurement at the end of the day, so yea or nay.
I wouln't worry, could be some problem with their testing equipment.

All been sent away at the 4 I've had (three routine medicals and one random)

 

[baz962]

It is alleged that eating poppy seeds such as in bread can result in a spurious test, needing further testing.

I asked at my medical . I had heard this and somehow despite never having done so before , my Mrs bought poppy seed bread and gave it to me the day before my medical. The doctor told me you would need to eat a whole bucket of them.

 

[Eccles1983]

Drugs analysis at labs isn't too much to worry about. (Unless you've been taking them)

I have had samples rejected because it was deemed too diluted. My own fault for not wanting to get stage fright, and drinking 1.5 ltrs on the way to the medical.

 

[tsr]

I asked at my medical . I had heard this and somehow despite never having done so before , my Mrs bought poppy seed bread and gave it to me the day before my medical. The doctor told me you would need to eat a whole bucket of them.

The doctor was wrong. Colleagues of mine have failed drugs tests purely on the basis of poppy seeds. (A list of people who’ve done that would be surprisingly long...)

Many of the occupational health doctors don’t actually do anything to do with the test other than collecting the samples (usually pee in a pot, of course). The independent contractors for on-call tests and agency staff jobs tend to be rather more discerning.

(I’ve also learnt not to really trust my TOC’s occupational health after numerous cases of poor advice, including several colleagues who have come near to losing jobs for no reason, plus declaring me “nearly blind” at one medical, which, given my job and my optician’s advice, would be astounding if true...)

 

[NSB2017]

Surprising just how small an amount of poppy seeds are needed to cause a failure.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/poppy-seeds-alter-drug-test-results/

 

[baz962]

The doctor was wrong. Colleagues of mine have failed drugs tests purely on the basis of poppy seeds. (A list of people who have done would be surprisingly long...)

Well I ate them less than 24 hrs before and nothing flagged up .

 

[tsr]

Well I ate them less than 24 hrs before and nothing flagged up .

I believe it has to be pretty close to testing, which is why some pre-employment tests require you not to eat for a small amount of time beforehand. I seem to remember one of mine asked me not to eat anything substantial for 6 hours before, although this was deemed to be a bit over the top when I asked around.

 

[HelloHi]

Sorry to ask slightly off topic but what do they say about anti-depressants (asking for a friend).

 

[baz962]

I believe it has to be pretty close to testing, which is why some pre-employment tests require you not to eat for a small amount of time beforehand. I seem to remember one of mine asked me not to eat anything substantial for 6 hours before, although this was deemed to be a bit over the top when I asked around.

I see

 

[tiptoptaff]

Sorry to ask slightly off topic but what do they say about anti-depressants (asking for a friend).

That is a purely personal question, which I will not ask you to delve further in to, but the only people who will be able to answer that are your TOC's occupational health, and/or any specialists they refer you to for any potential enhanced medical. From experience with my sister, the various different anti-depressants have very different affects on each individual who takes them and it would be beyond the expertise of anyone here to say for certain the particular ones you take will or will not affect you in a driving job.

Oh, btw, keep going bud. IT is a long, hard slog, but you CAN and you WILL beat it. I believe in you.

 

[cjmillsnun]

Sorry to ask slightly off topic but what do they say about anti-depressants (asking for a friend).

Some can show up as something else.

For example, I take Quetiapine for Bipolar disorder.

From the patient information leaflet

Effect on Urine Drug Screens

If you are having a urine drug screen, taking Quetiapine tablets may cause positive results for methadone or certain drugs for depression called tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) when some test methods are used, even though you may not be taking methadone or TCAs. If this happens, a more specific test can be performed.

Because I could have a drug screen at any time under my company's Drugs and Alcohol Policy (I don't work for the railways), I have let the company know what I'm taking.

 

[alxndr]

Because I could have a drug screen at any time under my company's Drugs and Alcohol Policy (I don't work for the railways), I have let the company know what I'm taking.

Similarly any medication should be declared to the railway. In my experience they will also ask if you have taken anything, even OTC medication, within a certain period of time before any drug screening. They always seem to express disbelief when I let them know I've not taken so much as a paracetamol.

 

[ComUtoR]

Sorry to ask slightly off topic but what do they say about anti-depressants (asking for a friend).

They are allowed in Driving grade. There is a very wide range of anti-depressants. Speak to the Occupational Health team and they will give you advice and, as they always do, recommend a specific medication that is compatible with your role.

 

[No Fault Found]

Without trying to alarm you, i'd be alarmed if i were you.

The only time i've known of the sample going to the second stage is when they've found something and they just need to quantify it.

 

[district]

Sorry to ask slightly off topic but what do they say about anti-depressants (asking for a friend).

I've taken various SSRIs whilst doing Safety Critical work. I had a pre-employment medical in which I disclosed that I needed them, they wrote to my GP to make sure I was OK. I had a bit a of a relapse last year and had to go on some stronger SSRIs, and whilst I was in a bad way I was taken off Safety Critical work. Once it was all sorted and I felt better I was cleared to do Safety Critical work again.

Be honest with your employer and the OH team - they will understand and will do what is right for you. Taking anti deppressants will not preclude you from a railway career.

 

[357]

It could be that the urine test has revealed a medical condition you were unaware of, I've heard about things being picked up this way in the past. I'd not worry about this if I were you.

 

[HelloHi]

I've taken various SSRIs whilst doing Safety Critical work. I had a pre-employment medical in which I disclosed that I needed them, they wrote to my GP to make sure I was OK. I had a bit a of a relapse last year and had to go on some stronger SSRIs, and whilst I was in a bad way I was taken off Safety Critical work. Once it was all sorted and I felt better I was cleared to do Safety Critical work again.

Be honest with your employer and the OH team - they will understand and will do what is right for you. Taking anti deppressants will not preclude you from a railway career.

Thanks for your reply I'll let my friend know, he didn't apply because of this..

 

[HelloHi]

They are allowed in Driving grade. There is a very wide range of anti-depressants. Speak to the Occupational Health team and they will give you advice and, as they always do, recommend a specific medication that is compatible with your role.

Thank you for your reply

 

[emilysmallwood]

just want to jump on this, im going for a medical on thursday, my bmi works out at 30.9, i play rugby and extremley active. would i pass the medical with this bmi?

 

[185]

One firm, sends all of it's samples off to a second medical contractor for screening so it could be that. Just routine.

If it's "second stage test" then that's possibly more concerning. That could be trace amounts which need investigating and explaining.

> Poppy seeds do show up as opiates, even after moderate amount. The claim you would have to eat bucketfulls is probably false - it depends on what the threshold is. Another one to watch is Co-Codamol, it also shows up as opiates (ie same family as Heroine).

> A regular fail is THC - Cannabis. This, unlike far harder drugs stays in your system for comparatively greater lengths of time - as much as I detest it, it's a cruel twist of fate that the least harmful drug is most likely to cause a failed test.