# Employment Drug Test Delima **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 17, 2013, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469 "2013-08-17T02:02:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bamajoker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@bamajoker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bamajoker)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/1 "2013-08-17T02:02:55Z")
Ok I may have a drug test coming up that I am sure is urine or hair follicle. I am prescribed Xanax. In the past 3 weeks I have taken 3 .5mg klonopin also. Do employers typically test for these in pre employment drug screens and since I am prescribed Xanax should I worry about the 3 klonopin? Would these be tested separate? ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/2 "2013-08-17T02:07:22Z")
What’s the job? How serious are they- CIA serious? Hard to say anything without a bit more knowledge. For example, casinos often use high-intensity testing for salaried positions. ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/3 "2013-08-17T02:10:24Z")
Well as it happens I do work at a toxicology lab that does some pre-employment testing. If a preliminary screen is positive for benzodiazepine is positive, we do confimatory testing on Xanax (alprazolam) and Klonopin (clonazepam). However, you’re worrying about nothing. All drug tests will involve you listing any medications you are currently prescribed. As long as you have prescriptions for both drugs, you should be in the clear. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/4 "2013-08-17T02:17:01Z")
> [@installLSC](#): > > As long as you have prescriptions for both drugs, you should be in the clear. I may be wrong but I think that’s the very problem: he only has a prescription for the Xanax, not the klonopin. ---
**Author:** ![pudytat72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@pudytat72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pudytat72)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/5 "2013-08-17T02:17:50Z")
They won’t be tested separately. They are both in the benzodiazepine class. It won’t be a problem if you have prescriptions in your name for both drugs. Then you tell the doctor that calls you (because of your positive drug test for benzodiazepines) about your prescription medications and then everything should be fine. If you don’t have a prescription for the Klonopin. . .You will probably get away with it because of the Xanax prescription. I don’t know how closely they can associate the Xanax dose you are taking with the level of benzodiazepine showing up on the drug test. ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/6 "2013-08-17T02:28:33Z")
> [@pudytat72](#): > > They won’t be tested separately. > They are both in the benzodiazepine class. It won’t be a problem if you have prescriptions in your name for both drugs. Then you tell the doctor that calls you (because of your positive drug test for benzodiazepines) about your prescription medications and then everything should be fine. > If you don’t have a prescription for the Klonopin. . .You will probably get away with it because of the Xanax prescription. I don’t know how closely they can associate the Xanax dose you are taking with the level of benzodiazepine showing up on the drug test. You are correct that clonazepam and alprazolam are not tested seperately. They are tested alongside oxazepam, temazepam, and lorazepam in the benzo test we use. ---
**Author:** ![bamajoker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@bamajoker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bamajoker)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/7 "2013-08-17T02:43:19Z")
Correct I do not have a script for klonopin. I do for xanax. If I’m upfront and say hey I got a prescription to xanax. Will that work? Like if I tedt positive for benzos with they check ro see what benzos I’m on? This will be a hair folical tesy ---
**Author:** ![NotDeadYet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@NotDeadYet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotDeadYet)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/8 "2013-08-17T03:27:19Z")
> [@bamajoker](#): > > Correct I do not have a script for klonopin. > > I do for xanax. > > If I’m upfront and say hey I got a prescription to xanax. Will that work? > > Like if I tedt positive for benzos with they check ro see what benzos I’m on? > > This will be a hair folical tesy You’re self-medicating? Klonopin? And mixing it with Xanax? 😕 Sorry, but if I were hiring I’d be more than a little concerned. Providing the Rx for the Xanax might be all that is necessary. ---
**Author:** ![bamajoker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@bamajoker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bamajoker)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/9 "2013-08-17T03:44:14Z")
Not mixing . I simply took 3 kolonopins over a 2-3 week period ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/10 "2013-08-17T04:04:29Z")
> [@bamajoker](#): > > Ok I may have a drug test coming up that I am sure is urine or hair follicle. > > I am prescribed Xanax. > > In the past 3 weeks I have taken 3 .5mg klonopin also. > > Do employers typically test for these in pre employment drug screens > > and since I am prescribed Xanax should I worry about the 3 klonopin? > > Would these be tested separate? Benzos clear out of the system relatively quickly and if you’ve only taken the klonopin a few individual times like that, you wouldn’t test positive for it if the test occurred more than a few days later-provided that it is a urine test. I’m not sure about a hair follicle test. When is this test? ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/11 "2013-08-17T04:17:16Z")
Typically they just test for the big 5: marijuana cocaine amphetamines heroin/opiates PCP Beyond that even if they do a 10 panel, if you’re on medication, you can note that on the form, and they’ll verify it with your physician, so that you’re not denied based on a perfectly legal and therapeutic use of the drugs. (work in IT for healthcare company that does a LOT of drug testing, and used to directly deal with the drug testing people) ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/12 "2013-08-17T04:31:51Z")
Some places do test for benzodiazepines, but you should be OK since you have a prescription for Xanax and presumably take it for legitimate reasons. But avoid Klonopin in the future if it’s not prescribed for you, 'k? ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/13 "2013-08-17T04:33:43Z")
> [@bump](#): > > PCP Who does this anyway? 😕 Never met a PCP user. I imagine that’d be a rather unpleasant person. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/14 "2013-08-17T04:43:14Z")
Weigh up the options: [ul] [li]You are self-medicating, for reasons known only to you.[/li][li]You claim to have a prescription as well.[/li][li]Your employer has indicated you may be subject to drug testing.[/li][/ul] What is more important to you? Continued self-medication that could cause you to lose your job, or going to your doctor, taking only what is prescribed for you, and keeping your job (i.e., income to keep you alive)? ---
**Author:** ![busterpickle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@busterpickle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/busterpickle)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/15 "2013-08-17T07:20:11Z")
You could wax your body, as you are a swimmer… and then give yourself a crew cut or something under 1/2". But, in all reality, an employer that requires a pre-drug screen will also require follow-on drug tests. So, you are doing yourself no good trying to defeat the “system”. They like to wait a bit, maybe several months, maybe a year, for a follow-on test just to be thorough. The Xanax script and the use of Klonopin suggests to me that you are an “abuser” of these meds. They will ask you for any current prescriptions and you obviously state them. You’ll get caught anyways, abusers always do. I guess its that “day-to-day?” ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/16 "2013-08-17T10:03:57Z")
> [@bamajoker](#): > > If I’m upfront and say hey I got a prescription to xanax. Will that work? If you’re on Rx Xanax and you’re being drug tested you are supposed to be up front about it. You need to disclose ALL drugs you are on. At the very least, the Xanax is going to show up one way or another. > [@](#): > > Like if I tedt positive for benzos with they check ro see what benzos I’m on? If you’re on Xanax you WILL test positive for benzos which is why you need to tell the testing facility you have an Rx for Xanax. It is _possible_ to check for specific benzos with a great deal of specificity, but it’s a more expensive test. > [@](#): > > This will be a hair folical tesy Tell them you have a prescription for the Xanax. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/17 "2013-08-17T10:06:31Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Who does this anyway? 😕 Never met a PCP user. I imagine that’d be a rather unpleasant person. They’re out there and yes, they aren’t fun to be around. Then again, drug abusers/addicts can be less than fun even if they aren’t high. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/18 "2013-08-17T13:33:40Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Who does this anyway? 😕 Never met a PCP user. I imagine that’d be a rather unpleasant person. I ran into my first one last month. Ho-lee shit, that’s some scary stuff. Dude was maybe 6’, 180lbs, and he had four very large, very security trained men (none of them under 6’4", 300lbs) kneeling on his back and legs…and he was still doing one handed pushups trying to get away, and biting and spitting blood at people. Unreal. I wouldn’t have believed it possible, just due to the laws of physics, but I saw it happening (I was the First Aid person called to the scene, but couldn’t even get in to check him out because they couldn’t keep him still and secure.) Took those four bruisers plus another six paramedics to get him strapped to a backboard so they could get him in the ambulance. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/19 "2013-08-17T13:49:53Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Benzos clear out of the system relatively quickly . . . That’s not my understanding. I believe they can be detected for quite a while. > [@QUOTE=Ambivalid](#): > > . . .and if you’ve only taken the klonopin a few individual times like that, you wouldn’t test positive for it if the test occurred more than a few days later-provided that it is a urine test. . . Yes, it depends on the expense that the employer goes to with testing–whether it’s just routine testing, or if they’re actually trying to catch some kind of more subtle character issue, which is very rare–only places with high security clearance, etc., as mentioned above. Few employers are going to try to determine what particular benzo you’re taking. (That’s an expensive, extra test.) Most just want to know if it’s prescribed. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employment-drug-test-delima/666469/20 "2013-08-17T22:42:43Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > I ran into my first one last month. Ho-lee shit, that’s some scary stuff. Dude was maybe 6’, 180lbs, and he had four very large, very security trained men (none of them under 6’4", 300lbs) kneeling on his back and legs…and he was still doing one handed pushups trying to get away, and biting and spitting blood at people. Unreal. I wouldn’t have believed it possible, just due to the laws of physics, but I saw it happening (I was the First Aid person called to the scene, but couldn’t even get in to check him out because they couldn’t keep him still and secure.) Took those four bruisers plus another six paramedics to get him strapped to a backboard so they could get him in the ambulance. My understanding is that PCP disables the usually safety systems that keep us from hurting ourselves. If all your muscle cells fired off at once you, too, could perform superhuman stunts, like when a diminutive woman lifts a car off her child. Normally, we only have access to that sort of strength under the most extreme conditions. People flying on PCP, as I said, seem to have their controls disabled, giving them access to that super strength, stamina, and lack of pain with the results you saw. Mind you, I don’t have _proof_ of that, but it’s the only explanation I’ve heard that makes sense. One of the downsides of it, though, is that those people can do enormous damage to themselves - break bones, tear muscles and ligaments, etc - which will have to be dealt with once they sober up.