Why would I have to retake a drug test?

Retesting can be an option if there is a possibility of a laboratory error or an insufficient sample. The lab and the Medical Review Officer (MRO) will request a retest.

Can you demand a retest if you fail a drug test?

In most cases, you are entitled to request a retest. However, most drug testing protocols require the lab to retest the same sample. While this is helpful in situations where there was contamination, the better option is to provide an entirely new sample, if that is allowed.

Do you get a second chance if you fail a drug test?

Drug Free Workplace Policy – Termination or Second Chance? Many employers in their drug-free workplace policies give an employee a second chance after a confirmed and verified positive drug test results. Sometimes the second chance agreement is called the last chance agreement.

What happens if a DOT drug test comes back inconclusive?

Inconclusive/invalid– this means that the test detected no amount of the drugs tested for. With an inconclusive result, your employer may choose to have you retake a drug test.

What happens if your drug test comes back negative?

If this screening test result is negative, the result is reported as negative dilute and no further testing is required. If this screening test result is positive for a substance, a confirmation test is performed for that specific substance. As such, positive dilute results are possible.

What Happens If You Fail A Drug Test (Employers and Employees)

Why did my urine test come back negative?

If the bacteria are not in your sample, they will not be detected. There are other reasons your sample may not contain detectable levels of bacteria, including over-hydration. If your bladder is frequently flushed and your urine is diluted, your sample may not contain enough of anything a urine culture can detect.

Is a negative urine test good?

A negative result on an initial drug test indicates that no evidence of drug use or misuse was detected in the urine sample. This may be because the patient hasn't used the specific drugs tested, because the patient last used the drug outside of its detection window, or because of problems in conducting the drug test.

Can you fight a positive DOT drug test?

The only way to return to a safety-sensitive position after a positive DOT drug test is to work with a qualified DOT SAP. This person will evaluate your circumstances and recommend treatment or education for you to complete.

What is considered a failed drug test?

You fail a drug or alcohol test by testing positive to a drug test, or registering a 0.04 or greater alcohol content.

How do you remove a failed dot drug test?

The return-to-duty process will require you to: Be evaluated by a DOT-certified substance abuse professional (SAP). Complete the recommended course of treatment or education, at your own cost. Pass a follow-up drug and alcohol test, and submit to random testing for at least the next 12 months, up to 60 months.

What happens if a drug test comes back positive?

If the test result is proven to be legitimate (especially after multiple retests), you will most likely lose your job. If drug testing was part of a screening application, the company will probably revoke your job offer. However, in some industries or states, you might be given a second chance.

What to do after a failed drug test?

The first thing you need to do after a positive drug test or refusal to drug test is meet with a Substance Abuse Professional (or SAP), someone who can help you complete a DOT acceptable substance abuse evaluation. They will evaluate you to determine the appropriate level of education, counseling or treatment.

What to do if you have a false positive drug test?

If you were taking something that might've caused a false-positive result, the lab can do another type of test to verify that you haven't touched the drugs being tested. Letting your employer, principal or coach know about these substances can go a long way towards convincing them you deserve a second chance.

Who knows if I fail a drug test?

The employee, in most cases, will know about the positive drug test results before the employer finds out. The Medical Review Officer will get the lab results and will call the employee asking if there is a medical explanation or prescription they would like to reveal.

How long after a failed drug test can you reapply for a job?

You have to wait a year to reapply.

Can a company report you if you fail a drug test?

For most workers in the United States, their employer will never disclose a failed drug test. However, many government positions require this information and are permitted to seek it. If a drug test leads to a criminal conviction, the information is public record and may be easily found by an employer.

How long does it take for a failed drug test?

Negative results, therefore, are generally available within 2-3 days, while positive test results may take up to a week to confirm. Though it may take slightly longer than urine tests, hair tests have the advantage of being able to detect drug use from many months before the specimen was collected.

Is it better to refuse a drug test or fail?

Refusal to take a drug test can result in termination of employment, and refusal to take a court-ordered screening could result in legal charges. The best course of action is to take the test. Although a moderate inconvenience, it contributes to a safer work environment and shows good faith.

How often do drug tests fail?

The accuracy of drug tests varies widely. A 2010 study estimated that drug tests generally produce false-positive results in 5% to 10% of cases and false negatives in 10% to 15% of cases. Data on the base rate of drug use also varies.

What is the most common false positive drug test?

Can ibuprofen give false positive?

Ibuprofen is in a class of pain relievers called NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). All NSAIDs can cause a false positive.

Can ibuprofen cause false positive on drug test?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including ibuprofen and naproxen) (2,3) as well as proton pump inhibitors (specifically pantoprazole) (3) have been reported to cause false positives on urine drug screens.

Are lab drug tests more sensitive?

What about accuracy? Lab-based drug tests are more accurate. We like to say they are more rigorous, more involved, and more defensible in a court of law, all of which are elements certain organizations must consider, particularly heavily regulated industries, like the DOT.

What happens if you fail urine test?

In most cases, if you fail a pre-employment drug test, you will no longer be eligible for the job. Companies who require pre-employment drug tests must clearly state that the offer of employment is contingent upon a new hire passing a drug screening test.

What color is dilute urine?

The intensity of the color usually varies with urine concentration; thus, concentrated urine is dark yellow, and dilute urine is pale yellow.