DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing - Decoded!

**The Gryphon** · 07.05.2012

Originally Posted by bulletproof77

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...pilot_episodes Yes, it has been proven that poppy seeds can and will cause an initial false positive. However, the gas chromatography technology has improved that this can usually be ruled out on a split sample. As a steward, I actually had to defend a person on this. And, I won his job and back pay back.

To say that "poppy seeds can and will cause an initial false positive" is not only misleading, but just plain incorrect.Is it POSSIBLE? Sure. Almost anything is POSSIBLE. But to say they "can and will" is just not true.The facts are that the testing methodology required by DOT makes it HIGHLY UNLIKELY that the consumption of poppy seeds wil result in a reported positive.Even if the initial testing at the lab were to result in a positive, it would not be reported as a positive until it had been confirmed by the confirmation tests. Initial testing round results are not reported by the labs. Only confirmed results are reported.So, I stand by my initial statement that eating poppy seeds is HIGHLY UNLIKELY to result in a reported positive.

**The Gryphon** · 07.05.2012

Originally Posted by gg47

I have tried to find any information i can on; is there any way to get a failed drug test using meth. off your dac, or to where you can go back to driving. Classes, random drug test, etc. driving is my passion and i made a stupid mistake and a bad time in my life. There is no excuse for it. Also, not for me but i know an aquantance who failed they said meth, he doesn't do meth , however with the new test they are running is it possible that it could have something to do with viagra, over the counter stemulants, or such things bought thru the mail.

Others will have to address the issues of clearing your DAC, as I have no experience in that area.There is a "Return to Duty" process that someone who has actually been through it can explain to you.As for your question about Viagra and/or the other substances you mentioned causing a false positive for meth, it's HIGHLY UNLIKELY. Especially given the fact that any positive for amphetamines is put through an additional round of testing (beyond the normal initial and confirmation rounds) to confirm that it was methamphetamine that caused the positive result and not some amphetamine that has a valid medical use.

**The Gryphon** · 07.05.2012

Originally Posted by gg47

I have tried to find any information i can on; is there any way to get a failed drug test using meth. off your dac, or to where you can go back to driving. Classes, random drug test, etc. driving is my passion and i made a stupid mistake and a bad time in my life. There is no excuse for it. Also, not for me but i know an aquantance who failed they said meth, he doesn't do meth , however with the new test they are running is it possible that it could have something to do with viagra, over the counter stemulants, or such things bought thru the mail.

Others will have to address the issues of clearing your DAC, as I have no experience in that area.There is a "Return to Duty" process that someone who has specific experience with that process can explain.As for your question about Viagra and/or the other substances you mentioned causing a false positive for meth, it's HIGHLY UNLIKELY. Especially given the fact that any positive for amphetamines is put through an additional round of testing (beyond the normal initial and confirmation rounds) to confirm that it was methamphetamine that caused the positive result and not some amphetamine that has a valid medical use.

**SmoothShifter** · 07.07.2012

Originally Posted by The Gryphon

Others will have to address the issues of clearing your DAC, as I have no experience in that area.There is a "Return to Duty" process that someone who has specific experience with that process can explain.

That would be me. I have been back to work for 3 months now, and I am still somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 supervised randoms to go.

1. There is no clearing your DAC. However, there are carriers that don't use the service.

2. A successful return to duty process involves 100% honesty. A SAP counselor will see through the BS in a heartbeat. I don't get the vibe of 100% honesty from gg47's post. It appears to me that there is a little excuse hunting/looking for a technicality to dismiss it going on.

3. It's going to be a harder stretch with meth vs. mine, which was for pot. Where pot is generally viewed as a recreational mistake, meth is more hard core. Just sayin....

My advice would be to find a small company who will work with you, prepare to pay about $1000 out of pocket when it all shakes out, learn from your mistake and move on with life. It is not as career ending as a DWI, but if you don't sincerely address the issue, it could be close.

**northstarfire0693** · 07.11.2012

How far they can go back on a hair test ? I have heard 20 years, but I think its BS.

**Dipschitt** · 07.12.2012

Originally Posted by northstarfire0693

How far they can go back on a hair test ? I have heard 20 years, but I think its BS.

If you've got 20 years worth of hair on your head, I guess they could....

**Scarlet Termite** · 07.12.2012

I have a question for you, Gryphon. Despite the fact that it had been a month and a half since I had smoked pot, my test came back positive. I had just started at Roadmaster and would've been done with my first week tomorrow. As soon as the MRO called me, my husband and I went to see the School Director and the Placement manager. As you well know, they did not give us good news.

I am devastated to say the least. Driving a truck is something that I wanted to do for a long time and the fact that my previous job was eliminated and recast so that a degreed person could be hired gave me the opportunity and motivation to try to realize my dream. I know that I am flagged at the DOT for life now and no big carrier will touch me. I could go to counseling and start a new class with Roadmaster but feel that that would be a waste of time and money.

Let me say that I do not have a substance abuse problem. Pot, to me, is like alcohol. I can take it or leave it. I don't need it and have gone very long periods of time without imbibing. I put off starting school as long as I could in the hope that I would be clean by the time I took the test and if I had been able to continue I would have never used it again as long as I was driving. The job is/was more important to me that the weed. I wished that I had never done it now and I own what I did. I know I have shot myself in the foot.

Is there any hope that I could go ahead and get my CDL and just work for a local company or will this completely destroy my chance to drive a truck?

Thank you for your insight and advice.

**THE ROAD VIRUS** · 07.12.2012

here's a question that's not drug related. my dot med card is set to expire soon. i will be on the road on a 6 week tour during that time. do i have to go to a med clinic like concentra in my home city/state only, or can i go to a med clinic in any state/town? i have noticed that some truck stops have med clinics on site that also do dot physicals. for locals only or open to anyone in need regardless of home state? thanks

**CondoCruiser** · 07.12.2012

Originally Posted by northstarfire0693

How far they can go back on a hair test ? I have heard 20 years, but I think its BS.

They could but they have standards they go by. I think they cut about 1" from the root to represent a certain time line, like 6 months.

**CondoCruiser** · 07.12.2012

Originally Posted by THE ROAD VIRUS

here's a question that's not drug related. my dot med card is set to expire soon. i will be on the road on a 6 week tour during that time. do i have to go to a med clinic like concentra in my home city/state only, or can i go to a med clinic in any state/town? i have noticed that some truck stops have med clinics on site that also do dot physicals. for locals only or open to anyone in need regardless of home state? thanks

You can go anywhere Road Virus.

I'm not sure about UT, but more and more states are requiring CDL drivers to show the DL place a copy of your medical certificate until they get the upcoming nationwide medical reporting system up and running. It would be on your state's DL website.