It has been my experience that people who worry about passing a drug screen test for employment usually have good reason. A rule of thumb is that those who ask the most questions about timelines and false positives, will be those that should not have wasted the money and everyone’s time on the testing kit in the first place.
Do yourself a favor, if you are a recreational drug user and need to be able to pass an initial or random drug test- just quit or find a job that doesn’t require a healthy lifestyle. If your drug use is that important to you or the ability to stop doesn’t seem to manifest, well then a drug test is the least of your worries. It’s ironic that some people stress weekly about a habit they claim helps them unwind and eliminates stress. I ran across an article discussing the merits of telling the truth about drug use to potential employers this evening that got me to thinking about the subject and another common question.
Do you need to “come clean” with a potential employer that you are a recovering alcoholic or addict?
Click “Read more” to continue…
While my personal view is the discipline and strength of character needed for a successful recovery would be considered a huge asset in the hiring process, I have my doubts the majority of those conducting an interview would agree. Even I would have serious doubts about hiring someone for a critical position if they had less than several solid years in recovery because lets face it, the odds are still not very good.
So my advice regardless of how many years of sobriety one has under their belt I think drug tests should speak for themselves. Past substance abuse and addictions are a non-issue if someone tests clean and exhibits proper behavior. No need even to bring up the fact that addictions are covered under the American Disabilities Act because employers shouldn’t ask and candidates shouldn’t tell; in recovery your past should be a non-issue as long as resulting legal or physical repercussions will not affect future performance.
Delicious
Digg
StumbleUpon
Reddit
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
Technorati
Icerocket
I quit smoking pot at age 20. The field I was working in required passing random drug screens. Soon became a daily drinker. First just weekends. Then the familiar slide. Strangely enough alcohol was tolerated. Still is to a certain extent.
Addicts (drugs, alcohol what have you) have earned a bad rap in the workplace. People in recovery, for the most part, keep it quiet.
Nothing like walking into a meeting and seeing one of your co-workers. Good for an initial shock.
I once had a supervisor who was in recovery. We had the most wonderful conversations. No one had any idea that we were really using another language, speaking with a whole different meaning. He finally got fed up with the management and went back to pounding spikes. Had a nice chat with him today as a matter of fact.
Thorny question: Do I tell the doctor when he does my flight physical about my recovery? A diagnosis of alcoholism will ground you.
Dangerous ground here..
do you have a blog also?
TDA,
I don't have enough time in the day to do a blog. Not sure anyone really cares about my opinion.
Got lots of other stuff to do.. Go to a meeting. Play with my cats, play with my toys. Do my other job. Do my third job. On top of my regular job. Sometimes I even get out for a date. Still trying to find Mz. Rite..
Hi I just wanted to get your thoughts on POT because I have a problem with Alcohol but not with pot. Considering that it could be a legal alternative to Alcohol in the near future I wonder if you would ever consider recreational pot use acceptable for people who don't have an addiction.
Thanks,
Christopher
and one I am loathe to answer in a short reply. If you will bear with, I'll put up a front page post tonight on the subject.
Post new comment