trip to Amsterdam...question about drug testing and residency

[jennie 21]

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Hi,
I'm taking a trip to Europe with a group of people in mid-June before the start of residency, and one of the places we're going is Amsterdam. I'm thinking I wouldn't mind visiting some of the coffeehouses while we're there...however, I'm concerned because I don't know if we have to undergo drug testing before the start of residency. If so, there's a good chance I would test positive for marijuana due to my recent trip. If I am going to have to undergo drug testing, I will just skip the coffeehouses I guess, but I'm curious and would like to give it a try if I can. I have noticed that some of the contracts I received on interviews specify that drug testing is required prior to beginning employment, however there is no mention made of this in other contracts. Does the hospital have to let you know in advance and include it in the contract if they are going to drug-test you, or can they just announce it on the first day of orientation? If it's not in the contract, does that mean no drug testing? Do all residency programs require drug testing before beginning residency, or only some of them? I'm just wondering because I've never been to Amsterdam, and would like to try out the coffeehouses while I'm there, however I'm definitely not interested in jeopardizing my residency over something silly like this! So if there's a chance I'd be drug tested even if it's not in my contract, then I'll just forget the whole thing. Anyone know anything about this?

 

[Apollyon]

Plan on an initial drug screen. It's more likely than not.

You're an adult, and can make your own choices, but, to go through as much as you have, and even question whether you want to either throw it away, or go through the HORRIBLE hoops of an "impaired physician" program (which you will be offered, if your initial drug screen is positive), just so you can have some hash brownies or smoke some pot in Amsterdam seems incredibly short-sighted.

 

[blotto geltaco]

You may or may not be drug tested before residency. Depends on the institution. I was but I know people who weren't. I knew of a guy that called up the program to ask when he should report for drug testing. This was done as a ruse in order to find out if he would be tested or not. When he found he wouldn't be tested, he smoked it up and probablt still does because I guess smoking is pretty important to him.

Personally I think there is nothing wrong with enjoying the coffeehouses in Amsterdam if that is your thing. However, putting your medical career in jeopardy with ANY drug use is incredibly dumb.

 

[Bertelman]

Plan on an initial drug screen. It's more likely than not.

You're an adult, and can make your own choices, but, to go through as much as you have, and even question whether you want to either throw it away, or go through the HORRIBLE hoops of an "impaired physician" program (which you will be offered, if your initial drug screen is positive), just so you can have some hash brownies or smoke some pot in Amsterdam seems 👍 .

Seriously, these coffehouses will be around for a long time. MJ hasn't changed much in like...forever..., so this may not be the best time to introduce yourself. Wait until your next trip.

 

[jennie 21]

I totally agree that it would be incredibly dumb to jeopardize my medical career just to have some pot brownies in Amsterdam. That's why I was asking if I am going to be drug tested prior to residency, because I noticed it in a couple of the contracts and wondered if it was standard practice. I'm definitely not jeopardizing my residency over something like this, so if most programs test, then I'll just skip the coffeehouses, no biggie. That seems to be the consensus here, and I'll take all your advice to heart.

 

[deleted109597]

Whatever, Michael Vick is just trying to get us to approve of his habits.
Move along people.

 

[Sebastian.]

Does the hospital have to let you know in advance and include it in the contract......

No

....if they are going to drug-test you, or can they just announce it on the first day of orientation?

Yes.