driving and methadone

Why waste the time, since all you need to do is read post 3 and follow that link.

 

here is the source of my information:

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-security/safety-initiatives/drugs/engtesting.htm

 

That is the testing.

Now address the link shown in post 3 and then say whether they can drive with it.

 

because post 3 says you can't be on a methadone maintenace program. and the testing that's done for the CDL drug screening is 5 panel test which tests for opiates including (heroin) and to test for methadone a seperate test has to be done. when you are on methadone you will not test positive for opiates.

 

Testing has nothing to do with it.

There are many prescriptions that a driver is NOT ALLOWED to take and drive that ARE NOT TESTED for.

 

i don't understand your point. what i'm trying to say is that i'm on a legal methadone program and the CDL drug screen didn't test for it...

 

It cannot get any clearer than this:


Question 4: Is a driver who is taking prescription methadone qualified to drive a CMV in interstate commerce?



Guidance: Methadone is a habit-forming narcotic which can produce drug dependence and is not an allowable drug for operators of CMVs.

 

Whether you are tested specific to the medication is not the point. The question was whether you could drive when on methadone. The wording of the question tells me the OP is on a pain maintenance program that includes methadone. He or she wanted to know whether it was allowable under FMCSA regulations. The answer is no, it is not. Mr. RM answered the question asked. I see no question in here at all about how to beat the drug test.

Methadone is an opioid, not an opiate. The chemical makeup is very similar to true opium, which is what makes it effective for treating heroin addiction. It is addictive itself, but considered "safer" than street heroin. Since it is chemically so close to opiates, I would not want to take a chance on it being discovered in a test without having disclosed prescribed usage. Today's tests are much more sensitive than tests in the past.

To answer a later question, Tramadol (sp?) is an effective pain medication that is acceptable by FMCSA. I was prescribed it for those days when my arthritis is just kicking my #%$. I took it one time and tossed it in the trash. Knocked me for a loop for three days. I'd rather just take a half a Vicodin and go to bed for twelve hours.

 

But before anyone flames me about the Vicodin, I haven't carried it, taken it or been prescribed it in over two years. When the arthritis flares up, I just bite the bullet and take a couple ibuprofen.

 

well my question was that i am on a program and i'm in a cdl school, am i going to be ok ??? will they stop me from getting a CDL ? or should i quit and take suboxone and wait before the testing....can anyone shed some light on it for me... i'm a little scared as i've paid over $2k for the school and the medical clearance test scares me very much....

also look at this post

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_methadone_show_up_as_in_a_drug_test