Sober Addict Starting CDL School with Accident/Criminal/Medical Check Questions?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Weeezerd, Aug 21, 2016.

  1. Weeezerd

    Weeezerd Light Load Member

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    Hey everyone I'm really glad I found this place. Seems like questions get answered here & ya'll regulars are real nice guys. Hoping to stick around. I've been a regular forum user all my life. Some BACKGROUND 1st: I'm 25 now and I'm looking to break into OTR trucking & start a career. I've had a rough, misguided life & I have some questions about my history with addiction in particular. I went into a rehab early April of this year (2016) & got out May 8th. My drug of choice was heroin. I am completely CLEAN & SOBER now, since early April.

    My Question Is This: Now, are companies I apply-to going to receive information about my past prescriptions to suboxone, or that I went away to rehab April til May? Is that available to them & will it effect my employment? Can it effect me passing the DOT requirements?
    I was also arrested a couple years ago (just for possession, nothing related to driving) however the case was expunged & I do not have a felony strike. I have been told that I am legally able to keep this arrest off of my job applications in my state. Is this arrest going to show up on my criminal background check?

    Finally, I know that I've been in two accidents
    (both were determined the other drivers fault) & I am wondering how these are going to effect my employment prospects. A year has passed since the last one, and my 1st accident was 3 months prior. The 1st was due to a man running a stop sign, the 2nd due to a woman speeding into the turn lane as I was turning to enter a parking lot. Both were early 2015, one year ago. Do I definitely NEED to report these when applying?

    I would really appreciate any help with these. I am afraid of spending the $$ only to find out my history will continue to haunt me. Any help at all is really appreciated. Thank you so much!!!
     
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2016
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Don't mention the heroin or the drug rehab.
    You're hirable with a few companies. Apply now and ask for a pre-hire letter. Don't volunteer any information, but if asked, be honest with as little information as possible.
    Try Carolina Cargo for starters.
    Put your location on your profile so we know the hiring area you live in.
    Don't know what to tell you about the accidents. Some companies will find out, even though they weren't your fault and some won't find out.
     
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2016
  4. Weeezerd

    Weeezerd Light Load Member

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    I'm sorry, I am from Connecticut :) Thanks for your reply.
     
  5. BigHeadWeb

    BigHeadWeb Light Load Member

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    Don't have any info for you (I'm in Canada), but congratulations on getting and staying sober. I got sober 22 years ago and my life has been immeasurably better since then. Good luck!
     
  6. Wooly Rhino

    Wooly Rhino Road Train Member

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    The question you will be asked is if you have ever failed a drug test. I assume that is a question they ask employers not the police. You should be okay. I do not know about the heroin. That MAY come up on your medical. If so, it would be protected by Doctor Patient stuff. But I don't know for sure.

    I would apply and get pre hire letters but never volunteer any information and never lie. Good luck, stay health. As long as you focus you will be welcomed.
     
    Weeezerd Thanks this.
  7. Giuseppe Ventolucci

    Giuseppe Ventolucci Medium Load Member

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    Yeah don't say anything about heroin. Some companies require at least 3-5 years with no accidents. Don't know how that works if it wasn't your fault.

    You have a bright future in the industry. Don't give up and stay clean
     
    Weeezerd Thanks this.
  8. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Herion may be on the DOT long form which the company will see.
    Some prescription drugs may show in a urine test. Even though they may be legally prescribed, DOT may disqualify you because they're not allowed while driving a commercial vehicle. Keep that in mind and figure a way to clean that out of your system if necessary.
     
    ProStarBrakes Thanks this.
  9. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    During your intake and assessment interview when you entered prison, did you not lie when you told them you're former mercenary in Africa and trained to kill with the "touch of death?"
     
    Broke Down 69 and tucker Thank this.
  10. Wooly Rhino

    Wooly Rhino Road Train Member

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    When I went to prison I used the line from Shawshank. "My Lawyer ####ed me." It was true.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 22, 2016
    Reason for edit: Skirting profanity filter
    texasbbqbest and Chinatown Thank this.
  11. Weeezerd

    Weeezerd Light Load Member

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    I am not on any prescription medication, I am 100% clean from drugs & alcohol. I am just worried that my past medical history (I was on maintenance medication for opiate addiction in the past, & I did go to rehab for heroin addiction this year) will show up in some sort of background check. "The DOT Long-Form" concerns me. No, I have never failed a field sobriety test. I have never failed a urinalysis administered by an employer or an officer... Just medical drug tests, to qualify for initial maintenance medication (and to qualify for rehab)
     
    texasbbqbest Thanks this.
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