A couple of questions about testing, hair and piss

First off, I'd like to say hi to everyone. "Hi".

Now that we know each other, here is my background and questions.

I've been a heavy user for the better part of the last 10 years, with small breaks in between. In the last 3 years, one specific time was 7 weeks in late 2007, another was 3 months December 07- March 08. I passed a urine test in March 08. I haven't smoked since late June because I need to a job and I know abstinence is the best thing. From January to April of this year, I didn't smoke either. I did smoke most of 09 though. My problem is two parts.


First, the company I'm trying to get hired with took a hair sample, from my armpit. In this companies orientation letter, they stated "Please note that it will be necessary for you to provide a hair specimen for this test, which will test for illegal or illicit drug use in the past 90 days." The testing company is Psychemedics Corporation. From what I've read about them, they are one of the better testing companies out there. So my question is this, based on the 90 days deal, if they find anything beyond that, is that grounds to dismiss my offer of employment? I'm pretty sure they can detect beyond the 90 days, so I was wondering if the 90 days is their cutoff point for saying, "this person has a problem".

The second part of my question is in relation to my size. I'm a bit overweight right now, 5 9 240, and I want to drop some weight and most likely will do so once I start working since its a physical job. From my understanding, metabolites get stored in fat cells. As I burn the fat off, it releases metabolites into my system which will be detected through urine. Seeing that I haven't smoked in 5 months, will those metabolites still be in my fat, or do they somehow erode with time within the fat? I need to know because this place does random piss testing.

Another bit of info, I've been given a conditional offer of employment after I gave my interview last Tuesday. I gave a hair sample that same day and haven't heard about any results. I did get a couple of calls back for me to get any medical records from my doctors from a previous surgery I had on my knee and another call back to schedule me for an eye exam.

Thank you for any of your help, I'd greatly appreciate it.

A hair test is not a time line. However, if you have been clean since June you have nothing to worry about.

You are good on piss too...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jerry G

A hair test is not a time line. However, if you have been clean since June you have nothing to worry about.

You are good on piss too...

---

Well, this is the thing,

I got called this morning to go retest on Monday. I asked what happened and she said she didn't know because it wasn't in her notes. She did say that maybe they didn't collect enough hair for a proper sample.

I'm falking stressed right now as a very good job is riding on this.



Sidenote, I got scheduled to do my physical capabilities test this morning as well.

I know in this economy a good job is hard to come by, but seriously? F@#$ them for asking for a hair sample, medical records and subjecting you to random testing once you're employed. That sounds like more information than they should reasonably need to determine if you are a good employee. If at all possible, seek employment elsewhere...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pdx247

I know in this economy a good job is hard to come by, but seriously? F@#$ them for asking for a hair sample, medical records and subjecting you to random testing once you're employed. That sounds like more information than they should reasonably need to determine if you are a good employee. If at all possible, seek employment elsewhere...

---

Tell me about it. Having to go through all of this kind of makes me question even working at such a place, but the pay is good enough to get back on my feet and beyond. But still, I feel you. What I do at home, on my own time, has no bearing on my work history, which as it stands, is much better than the average employee at every job I've been at.

Some of the titles I've held

Safety captain
Safety auditor
Meeting facilitator

Site Safety chairman ( led meetings with hourly employees, supervisors and managers)
Job Safety and Risk Analysis team member
MSHA representative (guided the countries safety inspectors through the plant during their inspections)
Employee Mentor
Heavy Equipment Trainer

In all of my years of working, I've never, ever had an on site accident. At my last job, I was the one everybody came to with "how do I do this? How do I do that?"

Its really ridiculous that I can't enjoy my life as I see fit.