Drugs Test Advice Please: Do they test for Steroids?

[markcutts]

Hi Guys
Does anyone know, if they test for Steroids for the Medical Test when getting a Train Driver Job?

Or is it just recreational drugs?

Hope to hear from you guys soon..

 

[Smudger105e]

The Policy certainly covers illegal as well as over the counter prescription drugs, it does not limit itself to 'recreational' drugs.

I am not sure which substances are tested during screening though.

 

[PermitToTravel]

Ring the HR department of whoever you're applying to work for (or whoever does the medical screening, if you've already been invited to it) and ask them - they'll be able to give you the only answer that matters. Have the details of the steroids in question to hand

 

[markcutts]

Thanks for the reply. Anyone else know, if they specifically check for Steroids?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I did ring the HR Dept and she said its the Standard National Railway Medical Test and she didn't know if it tested for Steroids...

 

[Llanigraham]

Considering that we have to report if we are prescribed steroids, I expect so.

 

[markcutts]

Llanigraham- Do you work for HEX as a Driver?

 

[carriageline]

Well if you have told HR you have covered your self.

Next step bring it up at the medical and tell them? They ask what you have taken so tell them.

 

[tlionhart]

I did a recent D&A test. The answer in short is yes they do test.
Any drugs, supplements (vitamin, muscle, weight loss/gain), including paracetamol must be declared if taken in the last 10days. This is important as some over counter drugs will show traces of recreational drugs. Fail to declare this will fail the drug test and terminate your offer.
It's really important to be honest and declare everything you've taken in the time frame, no matter how small you think it is.

 

[Kenni]

Steroids aren't illegal to use, they're illegal to sell.

 

[tlionhart]

Steroids aren't illegal to use, they're illegal to sell.

I know...
(I can see the confusion in my post, so edited)
I'm just stating that in general everything needs to be disclosed

 

[Llanigraham]

Llanigraham- Do you work for HEX as a Driver?

No.
I'm a "bobby"!
(as it says under my name)

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Considering that we have to report if we are prescribed steroids, I expect so.

They're not the same thing.

 

[455driver]

Are they prescription steroids?
What are the possible side effects of the steroids you are taking?

They basically look for anything/everything that shouldn't be in your system.

 

[Llanigraham]

They're not the same thing.

Prescribed steroids can be lots of different things under the same name.
I can be prescribed steroids for asthma and another form for muscle problems. They both come under the "steroid" prescription and BOTH have to be reported to NR.
Both will show during the test!

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Prescribed steroids can be lots of different things under the same name.
I can be prescribed steroids for asthma and another form for muscle problems. They both come under the "steroid" prescription and BOTH have to be reported to NR.
Both will show during the test!

I absolutely agree the use of both should be reported to NR. Whether both show during the test I'm not so sure, but if I were to be taking it I wouldn't take the chance. However when you are prescribed steroids, these are generally corticosteroids which aren't the same thing as anabolic steroids which are used for muscle mass gain.

 

[TDK]

There are many drugs that are not permitted in a safety critical grade and the majority of them are prescribed and over the counter drugs so you can fail a drugs quite easily if you do not know the process.

For a qualified driver if you are prescribed anything apart from the known drugs that are permitted it is your responsibility to contact your TCS who will in turn telephone either BUPA or a designated company to check whether the drug is permitted.

 

[Llama]

Haven't we had this question asked recently by someone who then disappeared...?

 

[PermitToTravel]

It's a bit of a perennial question, I've seen it more than once before.