As part of the hiring and employment process, drug testing may be involved. In some cases, these tests will be administered before you begin a position to ensure that you are fit for the job. In other cases, you may be required to submit to a periodic drug test during your contract with an employer. The guide below explains what may happen after a failed drug test and how you should react.

What Happens If You Fail a Drug Test?

The penalties for a failed drug test will vary widely based on the company and circumstances. If a new hire fails a drug test, the employer will have to follow adverse action reporting procedures if a consumer reporting agency delivered the results. This means that the potential employee would be placed in a database that could be viewed by other employers using that system. However, if the company is working directly with a lab, they can withdraw the job offer without going through adverse action reporting laws.

If you’re a current employee, the results of a failed drug test will depend on the company’s policies for drug use. Even if you live in a state where marijuana is legal, it’s still legal for a company to terminate employment for using it. In some cases, any drug use will be grounds for immediate termination. In others, you may be subject to a ‘return to duty’ test, which is administered after a set period wherein you can stop using the drug and make sure your system is clean.

What Should You Do After You Fail a Drug Test?

If you’ve failed a drug test and are terminated, you should reevaluate your use of these substances before seeking a new job so that you don’t fail a new hire drug test. If your employer is permitting you to stay on with a clean result on a return to duty test, you should focus on getting the drug out of your system. If you’re struggling with substance abuse, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration maintains a 24/7 hotline that is entirely confidential. Just dial 1-800-662-HELP.

If you need a reliable laboratory for drug testing your employees, work with EMSI – BiState Professional Services in Chesterfield, MO. For over 30 years, they’ve offered paternity tests, drug testing for employers and insurance purposes, and ancestry testing. To learn more about their services, visit them online, and call (636) 537-3200 today with any questions.