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itiswhatitis
Joined: 08 Aug 2011
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 Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 9:44 pm Post subject: Xanax withdrawl-medical for immig/new employer |
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About 6 weeks ago I had a panic attack. I was put on a high dose of Xanax and felt horrible for about 2 weeks after the attack (probably hormone levels returning to normal after the panic attack). We then started to reduce my Xanax dosage and I did not feel any general anxiety but when we first started to reduce the Xanax I noticed some drug withdrawl anxiety.
Now I feel 100% better and and I am on the lowest possible dose of Xanax (.25 mg a day, AND I cut them in half so really it's .125 a day).
As of tomorrow I am completely off of Xanax BUT it can be detected in a BLOOD test for up to 4-6 weeks after.
I need a short break from teaching and ideally I want to take all of September off (my current contract is finished on Fri aug 30th, I am E-2 but I have my own place so I can go on the D-10).
If I found a good job that started let's say third week of Sept I would want to take it BUT I worry about the drug test. It is my understanding that even if I test positive that I SHOULD be OK, BUT I would still prefer to avoid any hassles.
In a nutshell:
Should I wait a full 6 weeks (I have money saved so I am able to be unemployed, I have some self improvement projects like learning Korean language on the go to keep me busy) to start a new job?
If I test positive is the worst possible outcome that I just do not get THAT SPECIFIC job? Immigration does not need a new test, only that specific employer.
Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for advice! |
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12ax7
Joined: 07 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 8:30 pm Post subject: |
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Best PM Ttompatz, he can give you more details about what is and isn't tested. This forum would be hardly worth a visit without his input.
With that said, if I recall correctly, they don't test for anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication. Makes sense since these medicines are perfectly legal in Korea and, quite frankly, living abroad isn't always easy so they know that many foreign teachers who've never taken these medicines before might end up taking them here (and I'm sure they would prefer they take those medicines than self-medicate with alcohol like so many people, both Koreans and foreigners, do). |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 8:55 pm Post subject: Re: Xanax withdrawl-medical for immig/new employer |
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| itiswhatitis wrote: |
| If I test positive is the worst possible outcome that I just do not get THAT SPECIFIC job? Immigration does not need a new test, only that specific employer. |
IF you test and it is positive they will allow you to re-test.
Since the meds were actually prescribed in Korea there should be a medical file and justification for being under a doctor's care.
It is NOT an automatic deportation or exit order. Probably not even an issue for the employer. They just wait a couple weeks and test again.
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12ax7
Joined: 07 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 10:14 pm Post subject: Re: Xanax withdrawl-medical for immig/new employer |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| itiswhatitis wrote: |
| If I test positive is the worst possible outcome that I just do not get THAT SPECIFIC job? Immigration does not need a new test, only that specific employer. |
IF you test and it is positive they will allow you to re-test.
Since the meds were actually prescribed in Korea there should be a medical file and justification for being under a doctor's care.
It is NOT an automatic deportation or exit order. Probably not even an issue for the employer. They just wait a couple weeks and test again.
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See what I said about ttompatz? |
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