Blood Drug Testing

Walgreens Pre-employment Drug Testing?

I have to take a drug test soon for a Walgreens job I'm about to start. I have prescriptions for hydrocodone w/ APAP and lorazepam, but they're expired (the drugs aren't expired, but the actual prescription is expired, since controlled drugs are only valid for 6 months here in Texas). I take them only when genuinely needed for anxiety and severe back pain. However, the hydrocodone prescription was written about 15 months ago, and I think the lorazepam was written around 10-12 months ago. So if I have a positive drug test, which I'm sure I will, is the fact that they were legally prescribed to me a valid reason for having them in my system, even though it's been long after the prescription expired? Also, does anybody know what TYPE of drug test Walgreens uses? I'm assuming it's a urine test, but I've also heard they do saliva swabs and sometimes hair tests. Anybody know for sure? Thanks for your responses, and please only respond if you know for sure. I'm more than a little worried about this, as it's a big job. I just want to make sure nothing messes up my chances of getting this new job.

Public Comments

1. Drug screens that potential employers use look for things like illegal narcotics, and other drugs like that ( alcohol included ); they may show something like hydrocodone, but unless it shows in an excessive amount, the employer will not be concerned
2. Can you get the prescription renewed?
3. Generally, bigger companies like Walgreens contract out their drug tests to a local Doc-in-a-Box, or occupational health clinic. So unless Walgreens specifically requests a type of test, its up to the Doc's office how they want to test you. As a "general" guideline... if you can produce a prescription for these medications, then you'll be fine. Before you take the test, they will ask you (sometimes they forget actually) which medications you're currently taking. If its something they test for, then you will need to produce a prescription. Even if the scrip is expired, if the dosage says "PRN," you'll probably be ok. (PRN = As Needed)
4. ALL drug screen are the same, and the new standard is 15 CLASSES of drugs (not just so many drugs). They test for benzos, heroin/morphine/codeine, Meth, exctasy, PCP, Weed, Cocaine, Amphetamines that are NOT meth (2 separate classes), Any drug that requires a prescription, barbituates... those are just the ones I can think of right off. They also test SPECIFICALLY for Tylenol, Motrin, Percocet and Vicoden, because those are the most abused drugs (ie vicoden has tylenol IN IT). ANY drug you take will show up. Just show them the prescription bottle -- the fact that you HAD A VALID RX does not invalidate the time you still have them unless Walgreens wants to be a prick about it. It was prescribed to you -- the fact that it took you a year to take them is your business. Most companies use urine unless they specifically tell you... because it's the cheapest. However, most "better paying job" companies are now doing hair, because it CANNOT be fooled, and goes back 90 days instead of a month. For Walgreens, I would bet on a Urine test. With vicoden and ativan in your system, you'll test pos for tylenol, benzos and vicoden. Since you have prescriptions for those they have to throw those POS results out, but anything else you might test pos for you'd have to explain. Good luck!