Changing My Life

Hey combattrucker, first of all thank you for your service. I'm not going to lie I smoked occasionally, but quit Jan 1. I just went to a lab last week and paid for a **** test and I passed. So my advice would be to go clean, and check yourself before you go training.

There are some products that help, but the best way to be clean is to be clean.

Good luck!

My question is somewhat along the same lines. I recently did my DOT medical exam, the medical examiner asked me questions about my meds and she looked them over and said that I am good and gave me my medical card. Today I applied for a trucking company and they informed me that based on my meds that I have to get a letter explaining all the meds individually and that I may not be able to drive because of the meds I put on my application. I do not under stand this. I can get cleared by the DOT without having to bring in doctors notes but I get hassled by a company. Is there a list I can look at that says what psychotropic drugs are not allowed. Will I not be allowed to drive a truck with having depression and insomnia. I have been taking my meds for a year and a half. Could I get clarification on this please. I don't want to go to the company and get there just to find out that they won't hire and if they don't hire then I guess that means no company will hire since they will pass it along even though I have my DOT medical card.

I thought I was in the clear once for an urinalysis as I had rarely smoked weed and just had a cpl hits that one night.... I forget how many days a before the exam (I want to say around 15) and the doctor told me even just a few hits will stay in the system for 30 days. The more one smokes in quantity and frequency, the longer it stays in the system as it accumulates and needs longer to clear out, even if you hadn't smoked for 30 days. I did test clean, btw. Hooray for being the lightweight!

Definitely hope you check you're clean first before anything else like the others are suggesting, especially if you don't want it eff'ing anything up for you in the years to come!

Good luck. :)

Crawdaddy, the DOT has their own policies on prohibited medications but trucking companies can go beyond that if they like to set their own higher standards or investigate individual circumstances.

And you're not being 'hassled' by a company. You have to remember that the company is the one that's going to be held financially responsible if you get in a wreck. Their lawyers and insurance company know what's going to happen in court based on past cases so they will be quite strict about what they'll allow and quite thorough in their investigation of it - as they should be.

if they don't hire then I guess that means no company will hire since they will pass it along

That's not true. We've had people get turned away by one company because of certain medications but get accepted by others. So different companies will have different policies.

If you find that companies won't accept the medications you're on then you'll have to speak with your doctor about changing over to new ones. But it's quite common for trucking companies to request a note from your doctor stating that you're ok to drive a commercial vehicle on your current medications and to get clarification for the reasons behind the medications. You just have to work through the process.

As Brett mentions - there are psych meds that are absolutely prohibited by DOT themselves (adderall would be one of them for example), and one that are OK with DOT, but companies won't allow (safety dept/insurance).

Sad part is - from our experience here, the COMPANY WILL NOT TELL YOU AHEAD OF TIME, whether or not the particular med you take is on the banned list.

We've had users here report to the board that companies have refused to disclose whether the meds they were on were ok (for fear of a discrimination suit supposedly), then when the driver shows up for orientation, they get sent home to get off the meds.

Sadly - there's nothing that DOT or anyone else can do to clear this up.

Crawdaddy - what specific meds are you on? Anything for INSOMNIA is going to put you at risk for drowsiness behind the wheel. The only thing we've heard of being OK as a sleep aid is MELATONIN. The company will not "black list" you for psych meds, as they would for a failed drug screen - you will just be sent home to get your meds changed. It won't go on your DAC - and unless the substance you are taking is on the FMCSA banned list, you won't even be failed on the physical (technically). Simply keep the med card you already have on record with your DMV.

As far as "illegal substances" (and weed is still federally illegal, and even if it becomes federally legal - will not be on an "approved list" of substances for truck drivers) - if you're worried about dropping a bad drug test at orientation - then perhaps you should be POSTPONING your orientation until you are sure you will pass.

Too many folks we hear about, that "rarely puff" (not judging here) have gotten sent home from orientation. We hear stories from folks that report their orientation experiences here, how they ALWAYS LOSE a few people the first day.

There's a reason they DRUG TEST the first day of orientation - why waste another minute on someone that can't show up clean for a screen they KNOW they're going to be getting.

Rick

As Brett mentions - there are psych meds that are absolutely prohibited by DOT themselves (adderall would be one of them for example), and one that are OK with DOT, but companies won't allow (safety dept/insurance).

Sad part is - from our experience here, the COMPANY WILL NOT TELL YOU AHEAD OF TIME, whether or not the particular med you take is on the banned list.

We've had users here report to the board that companies have refused to disclose whether the meds they were on were ok (for fear of a discrimination suit supposedly), then when the driver shows up for orientation, they get sent home to get off the meds.

Sadly - there's nothing that DOT or anyone else can do to clear this up.

Crawdaddy - what specific meds are you on? Anything for INSOMNIA is going to put you at risk for drowsiness behind the wheel. The only thing we've heard of being OK as a sleep aid is MELATONIN. The company will not "black list" you for psych meds, as they would for a failed drug screen - you will just be sent home to get your meds changed. It won't go on your DAC - and unless the substance you are taking is on the FMCSA banned list, you won't even be failed on the physical (technically). Simply keep the med card you already have on record with your DMV.

As far as "illegal substances" (and weed is still federally illegal, and even if it becomes federally legal - will not be on an "approved list" of substances for truck drivers) - if you're worried about dropping a bad drug test at orientation - then perhaps you should be POSTPONING your orientation until you are sure you will pass.

Too many folks we hear about, that "rarely puff" (not judging here) have gotten sent home from orientation. We hear stories from folks that report their orientation experiences here, how they ALWAYS LOSE a few people the first day.

There's a reason they DRUG TEST the first day of orientation - why waste another minute on someone that can't show up clean for a screen they KNOW they're going to be getting.

Rick

Rick never done a day of drugs in my life exception prescriptions. Current I take Lexapro for my depression, prazosin for night mares, Trazodone for sleep, and hydrazine for anxiety. I have taken my meds faithfully for over a year and a half.

Brett thanks for the information, I will get a letter from my doctor. I was concerned that I would not get hired on especially after I did the DOT physical and then trying to go to a company that can turn people away.

I was concerned that I would not get hired on especially after I did the DOT physical and then trying to go to a company that can turn people away.

Listen, you may indeed find some companies that will turn you away. It's frustrating when you're trying to get your career underway and you run into hurdles like that but it's very common for that kind of stuff to happen. Almost everyone runs into hurdles of some sort - family issues, medical issues, background problems, employment history - all kinds of stuff. Getting started in trucking can be an exercise in madness. But just stay positive, keep moving forward, keep jumping through whatever hoops you have to jump through, and stay the course. You'll get there. There will probably be times you'll want to throw in the towel altogether or just punch someone in the face, but please don't!

You just have to keep moving forward and stay the course. Let us know how things go as you progress. We'll give you whatever advice we have. I don't think there's an issue on Earth we haven't dealt with at this point. Whatever you run into there will be people here who can help.

Combattruckker - check with your primary care at the VA to see if they will give you a urinalysis. Also you can get your DOT physical thru the VA, I'm scheduled to get my in a couple weeks. Just find it more convenient since they have full access to my history and be able to make a more informed decision. I've been off my anti-depressant since NOV and has taken some readjustment but with these new life goals I have for myself I'm finding that my emotional, mental and spiritual condition are more livelier then ever.

Good luck in this endeavor my fella warrior, stay safe!

Took the words right out of my mouth,Yes the VA says they do give DOT physicals. And its free.That will be my best move.Thanks Vet.

As Brett mentions - there are psych meds that are absolutely prohibited by DOT themselves (adderall would be one of them for example), and one that are OK with DOT, but companies won't allow (safety dept/insurance).

Sad part is - from our experience here, the COMPANY WILL NOT TELL YOU AHEAD OF TIME, whether or not the particular med you take is on the banned list.

We've had users here report to the board that companies have refused to disclose whether the meds they were on were ok (for fear of a discrimination suit supposedly), then when the driver shows up for orientation, they get sent home to get off the meds.

Sadly - there's nothing that DOT or anyone else can do to clear this up.

Crawdaddy - what specific meds are you on? Anything for INSOMNIA is going to put you at risk for drowsiness behind the wheel. The only thing we've heard of being OK as a sleep aid is MELATONIN. The company will not "black list" you for psych meds, as they would for a failed drug screen - you will just be sent home to get your meds changed. It won't go on your DAC - and unless the substance you are taking is on the FMCSA banned list, you won't even be failed on the physical (technically). Simply keep the med card you already have on record with your DMV.

As far as "illegal substances" (and weed is still federally illegal, and even if it becomes federally legal - will not be on an "approved list" of substances for truck drivers) - if you're worried about dropping a bad drug test at orientation - then perhaps you should be POSTPONING your orientation until you are sure you will pass.

Too many folks we hear about, that "rarely puff" (not judging here) have gotten sent home from orientation. We hear stories from folks that report their orientation experiences here, how they ALWAYS LOSE a few people the first day.

There's a reason they DRUG TEST the first day of orientation - why waste another minute on someone that can't show up clean for a screen they KNOW they're going to be getting.

Rick

Rick never done a day of drugs in my life exception prescriptions. Current I take Lexapro for my depression, prazosin for night mares, Trazodone for sleep, and hydrazine for anxiety. I have taken my meds faithfully for over a year and a half.

Brett thanks for the information, I will get a letter from my doctor. I was concerned that I would not get hired on especially after I did the DOT physical and then trying to go to a company that can turn people away.

First off - thanks for your service. And sorry for your service related disabilities.

The reality here though - is you are on a number of meds whose side effect - ESPECIALLY IN COMBINATION - might make a companies safety department leery about a hire.

At the least - the trazadone is probably going to be a no-no at most companies we've heard of here.

Again - the SAD PART IS - you will not know, until you go for your orientation physical. Which kinda sucks, because you pack up your life, jump on a bus for hours/days, only to find out you can't get approved for a hire until you get off certain meds the particular company doesn't like. And these meds are at the companies SOLE DISCRETION - regardless of whether or not they aren't on the FMCSA's "no-fly" drug list.

The clinic where you got your Med Card, may have looked up your meds and saw they weren't on the DOT Prohibited List and issued you a card. Out of curiosity - was it a ONE YEAR or TWO YEAR card? I'd suspect with so many meds - they might have issued you a 1 year.

Keep us posted on how you're doing - and best of luck to you going forward...

Rick

As Brett mentions - there are psych meds that are absolutely prohibited by DOT themselves (adderall would be one of them for example), and one that are OK with DOT, but companies won't allow (safety dept/insurance).

Sad part is - from our experience here, the COMPANY WILL NOT TELL YOU AHEAD OF TIME, whether or not the particular med you take is on the banned list.

We've had users here report to the board that companies have refused to disclose whether the meds they were on were ok (for fear of a discrimination suit supposedly), then when the driver shows up for orientation, they get sent home to get off the meds.

Sadly - there's nothing that DOT or anyone else can do to clear this up.

Crawdaddy - what specific meds are you on? Anything for INSOMNIA is going to put you at risk for drowsiness behind the wheel. The only thing we've heard of being OK as a sleep aid is MELATONIN. The company will not "black list" you for psych meds, as they would for a failed drug screen - you will just be sent home to get your meds changed. It won't go on your DAC - and unless the substance you are taking is on the FMCSA banned list, you won't even be failed on the physical (technically). Simply keep the med card you already have on record with your DMV.

As far as "illegal substances" (and weed is still federally illegal, and even if it becomes federally legal - will not be on an "approved list" of substances for truck drivers) - if you're worried about dropping a bad drug test at orientation - then perhaps you should be POSTPONING your orientation until you are sure you will pass.

Too many folks we hear about, that "rarely puff" (not judging here) have gotten sent home from orientation. We hear stories from folks that report their orientation experiences here, how they ALWAYS LOSE a few people the first day.

There's a reason they DRUG TEST the first day of orientation - why waste another minute on someone that can't show up clean for a screen they KNOW they're going to be getting.

Rick

Rick never done a day of drugs in my life exception prescriptions. Current I take Lexapro for my depression, prazosin for night mares, Trazodone for sleep, and hydrazine for anxiety. I have taken my meds faithfully for over a year and a half.

Brett thanks for the information, I will get a letter from my doctor. I was concerned that I would not get hired on especially after I did the DOT physical and then trying to go to a company that can turn people away.

First off - thanks for your service. And sorry for your service related disabilities.

The reality here though - is you are on a number of meds whose side effect - ESPECIALLY IN COMBINATION - might make a companies safety department leery about a hire.

At the least - the trazadone is probably going to be a no-no at most companies we've heard of here.

Again - the SAD PART IS - you will not know, until you go for your orientation physical. Which kinda sucks, because you pack up your life, jump on a bus for hours/days, only to find out you can't get approved for a hire until you get off certain meds the particular company doesn't like. And these meds are at the companies SOLE DISCRETION - regardless of whether or not they aren't on the FMCSA's "no-fly" drug list.

The clinic where you got your Med Card, may have looked up your meds and saw they weren't on the DOT Prohibited List and issued you a card. Out of curiosity - was it a ONE YEAR or TWO YEAR card? I'd suspect with so many meds - they might have issued you a 1 year.

Keep us posted on how you're doing - and best of luck to you going forward...

Rick

Rick was issued a 2 year medical card.