drug screen advice needed

[Wolfman]

I had a random drug screen and they asked 'what all are you taking?' I told them about my blood pressure medicine and anti-depressant, both of which I had been on for 4 years.
Turns out the anti depressant (lexapro) was against DOT regulations. Ok, no prob. I went to my doctor and got him to say I was no longer taking it. I took this note back to the clinic and they signed off on my health card.
Apparently this wasn't good enough though. The Alabama DOT sent me a form that my doctor had to fill out. I never received it. When applying for another job it turns out that my liscence was suspened. I call the DOT and get it straightened out by having them fax me the document again and taking it to the doctor and having him fax it to them.
So I think everything is hunkie dory. I applied to Maverick, and they say that because I 'failed a drug screen' I am not eligible to work with them and have to wait 5 years and have proof of rehab. I explain to them that I didn't fail anything, but they didn't seem to believe me.
How can I get this straightened out? I'm feeling pretty screwed here and I haven't done anything wrong.

[inmate1577]

ok, there is something missing here between you not getting a doctors note and your license being suspended.

[Wolfman]

I probably wasn't clear enough. Here's part of the email I just sent to Maverick, which shows the order things happened:

1) I was taking lexapro, an anti depressant, for about 3 years.
2) At a random drug screen I listed all the medications I was taking.
3) It turns out Lexapro is not allowed for CDL drivers.
4) I stoped taking lexapro and got my doctor to write a note saying so to the clinic testing me.
5) The DOT needed additional forms filled out. They mailed them to me but I did not receive them.
6) While applying for a job I find out my liscence has been suspended because DOT never got the forms.
7) I contact the Alabama DOT, they fax me the forms I need to fill out.
8) I fill them out, return them to them, my license is set to 'active' again.

[larryh31]

How can I get this straightened out? I'm feeling pretty screwed here and I haven't done anything wrong.

1) First, do not apply for any more trucking jobs.
2) Order a copy of your DAC Report from USIS 1-800-381-0645. www.usis.com
3) After you get your DAC report in the mail. Review it to see what information it is showing in regards to "your failed drug test"
4) If the information is incorrect, send them a certified letter with documentaion proving your side of the case.
5) After you recieve written conformation that your report has been updated, then you can apply for a trucking job.

[Wolfman]

How can I get this straightened out? I'm feeling pretty screwed here and I haven't done anything wrong.

1) First, do not apply for any more trucking jobs.
2) Order a copy of your DAC Report from USIS 1-800-381-0645. www.usis.com
3) After you get your DAC report in the mail. Review it to see what information it is showing in regards to "your failed drug test"
4) If the information is incorrect, send them a certified letter with documentaion proving your side of the case.
5) After you recieve written conformation that your report has been updated, then you can apply for a trucking job.

Ok will do thanks.

[Wolfman]

Ok I mailed off for my free copy of my DAC. Sure wish there had been some way to order it over the phone, but what ya gonna do? Thanks for pointing me in that direction, at least it will give me some proof to fax recruiters that I didn't fail a drug screen.

I guess what that guy at Maverick saw was that I had taken a drug screen and shortly thereafter gotten my license suspended. Does that sound right to you guys more in the know? Or am I missing something here? I would have thought they would have pulled my DAC themselves, but maybe they deal with so many guys trying to get on that actually have failed a drug screen that they just didn't bother because my file looked similar?

[inmate1577]

Ok I mailed off for my free copy of my DAC. Sure wish there had been some way to order it over the phone, but what ya gonna do? Thanks for pointing me in that direction, at least it will give me some proof to fax recruiters that I didn't fail a drug screen.

I guess what that guy at Maverick saw was that I had taken a drug screen and shortly thereafter gotten my license suspended. Does that sound right to you guys more in the know? Or am I missing something here? I would have thought they would have pulled my DAC themselves, but maybe they deal with so many guys trying to get on that actually have failed a drug screen that they just didn't bother because my file looked similar?

You are probably right on the money, they so many of these failed drug tests, that everything after that is irrelevant.
As previously stated, dont apply to anymore companies til the mess is cleared up.

[Twilight Flyer]

The thing that is missing is SOMEONE is reporting that you failed a drug screen. That's not DOT data...that is from a company. So who is reporting it?

[Uturn2001]

I too would love to know what company has put you through all of this.

I am also curious as to why and who told you that you could not take Lexapro and drive a CMV.

[Wolfman]

I too would love to know what company has put you through all of this.

I am also curious as to why and who told you that you could not take Lexapro and drive a CMV.

It's a clinic in Mobile, AL. called The Taylor Clinic. I just went in for a standard drug screen and wasn't sweating it since I'd reckon I drink less than a 12 pack of beer a year, let alone doing drugs. I do smoke cigarettes, but that's about it.

They were pretty adamant about the lexapro thing, which was strange since I had taken it for 3-4 years and had a ton of drugscreens in that time, always saying upfront what I took. I figured that either the other places had just missed it or it was some new DOT regulation.

You think I'm being steered wrong by these folks?

Edit: I guess the DAC report will show if someone is saying that I failed a drug screen. If that is the case, what is the quickest way to resolve it? Do I need to get a lawyer? I'll do whatever it takes, all I know how to do is drive; if I can't drive I'm going to have to go back to security guard work or some similar dead-end, low paying job.

Edit 2: I called the AL DOT and they said that their records didn't show me failing a drug screen. Not sure how comprehensive their records are?

[Twilight Flyer]

Edit 2: I called the AL DOT and they said that their records didn't show me failing a drug screen. Not sure how comprehensive their records are?

So again, which company is reporting you failed a drug screen? For Maverick to have said that, someone is reporting it as such. You said you took a random drug screen in your first post. With who?

[Wolfman]

Edit 2: I called the AL DOT and they said that their records didn't show me failing a drug screen. Not sure how comprehensive their records are?

So again, which company is reporting you failed a drug screen? For Maverick to have said that, someone is reporting it as such. You said you took a random drug screen in your first post. With who?

A company called Hackbarth Delivery that I was doing courier work for was last place that I took a drug screen.

[ohiomohawk]

Not trying to get off the subject but if you simply applied to a company over the internet and they reject you (for a criminal offense) could they send that to your DAC report??

[Uturn2001]

Not trying to get off the subject but if you simply applied to a company over the internet and they reject you (for a criminal offense) could they send that to your DAC report??

Companies generally do not bother reporting anything that happens during the application process. It is once you report for orientation that they tend to start reporting any incidents.

[Twilight Flyer]

A company called Hackbarth Delivery that I was doing courier work for was last place that I took a drug screen.

Then that's who you need to contact and get things straightened out. They reported to Maverick that you failed a drug test. Seems pretty straight forward to me. Contact them and tell them to fix it.

[Uturn2001]

Edit 2: I called the AL DOT and they said that their records didn't show me failing a drug screen. Not sure how comprehensive their records are?

In many states you do not get your CDL suspended due to a failed drug test. Some states will suspend the CDL for having your Med certificate pulled though.

As far as being steered wrong by the people at the clinic, yes I do think they are not as knowledgeable as they think they are if they told you that you can not under any circumstances take Lexapro.

(b)(12)(i) Does not use a controlled substance identified in 21 CFR 1308.11 Schedule I, an amphetamine, a narcotic, or any other habit-forming drug.

(b)(12)(ii) Exception. A driver may use such a substance or drug, if the substance or drug is prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner who:

(b)(12)(ii)(A) Is familiar with the driver's medical history and assigned duties; and

(b)(12)(ii)(B) Has advised the driver that the prescribed substance or drug will not adversely affect the driver's ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle; and

If this was during a physical and not a drug test I could see you being disqualified at the outset under 391.41 part b 9.

(b)(9) Has no mental, nervous, organic, or functional disease or psychiatric disorder likely to interfere with his/her ability to drive a commercial motor vehicle safely;

But if your depression is under control with medication and/or therapy then that would not really apply.

Now I could also see a doctor doing a physical wanting a statement from the prescribing doctor saying that the medications you are on does not pose a safety concern for you.

[greg3564]

Lesson learned from this is to not tell them what you are taking. Unless it will show up on a drug test keep it to yourself.

[Cluggy619]

Lesson learned from this is to not tell them what you are taking. Unless it will show up on a drug test keep it to yourself.

That is wrong advice. The drug screening is a simple test, but can detect all kinds of chemicals within your body. You should always take your prescripts to all dot testing so that they know what you are on.

Furthermore, your doctor needs to be aware that some medications that they may prescribe may disqualify you on a DOT physical. He needs to prescribe medication which will allow you to keep driving. :wink:

Now, I not sure about other places, but when I took mine just a month ago, I had a high glucose in my urine. The doctor stated that I need to see my own doctor about being diabetic before he would pass me. He put the physical on hold until that was done, because " if we continue, I'll have to fail you on the physical, and report it to DOT." So it may not be a company, but the clinic that reported it.

[greg3564]

Lesson learned from this is to not tell them what you are taking. Unless it will show up on a drug test keep it to yourself.

That is wrong advice. The drug screening is a simple test, but can detect all kinds of chemicals within your body. You should always take your prescripts to all dot testing so that they know what you are on.

Furthermore, your doctor needs to be aware that some medications that they may prescribe may disqualify you on a DOT physical. He needs to prescribe medication which will allow you to keep driving. :wink:

Nope. Those tests are designed to pick up illegal substances. Drugs like opiates, amphetamines, alcohol, cocaine, pcp, cannibus, etc. It is not going to detect anti-depressants. If you prescription contains amphetamines, ie ADHD drugs, then disclose.

This guy got railroaded by a misinformed medical staff. I don't report the two prescriptions I'm taking and have never had a problem.

[Drew10]

There seems to be some confusion:

Wolfman said:

I had a random drug screen and they asked 'what all are you taking?'

Wolfman, whos is they and why did you take a "random" drug screen?

I call the DOT and get it straightened out by having them fax me the document again and taking it to the doctor and having him fax it to them.

Can you take this "document" to Maverick, so they can see what it was that you were taking, that you no longer are taking?

When applying for another job it turns out that my liscence was suspened

Was the liscence suspended because of the usage of Lexapro?

I applied to Maverick, and they say that because I 'failed a drug screen'

I suspect that they found out about the drug screen when they ran your DMV report, not DAC.
If you show them this letter from your Doc that you faxed to DOT, would this not help clear up the problem?