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nick2124
Joined: 11 Jan 2010
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 Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2015 11:09 pm Post subject: concerns about e2 visa drug test |
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Hey there,
I have a prescription for diazepam (valium) which I use occasionally for sleep mainly / occasional anxiety. Though, I've just stopped taking them as I've been using over-the-counter medication as a substitute. However, as I'm planning to arrive in one month or so I'm worried I might fail the drug test.
1) If I mention I've a history of sleeping problems/valium use - will I be denied entry?
2) I read diazepam can stay in your system for up to 6 weeks... I'm worried I might fail the test. In this case, will they be understanding if I provide a prescription?
Thanks,
Nick |
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hogwonguy1979
Joined: 22 Dec 2003
Location: the racoon den
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| Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 5:28 am Post subject: |
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I wouldn't worry about that one, the ones they are looking for are opiates and THC
I also wouldn't put down you are taking meds for anxiety on the self medical report because if you do, they will likely reject your application. Ignore what people say here about not telling the truth that it will also get you tossed. Don't recall anybody ever getting caught |
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pmwhittier
Joined: 03 Nov 2011
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 7:04 pm Post subject: |
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One other thing to consider - while the medical system is advanced in Korea, the ease of obtaining medications of this (and many other) type is difficult sometimes. Also, there is no such thing as medical confidentiality in Korea. If you see a doctor to get anything from tylenol to valium, expect your employer will know immediately.
I'm not trying to cause any more anxiety for you, but rather wanted you to know before you make the trip over. Best of luck to you. |
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FastForward
Joined: 04 Jul 2011
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| Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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| pmwhittier wrote: |
One other thing to consider - while the medical system is advanced in Korea, the ease of obtaining medications of this (and many other) type is difficult sometimes. Also, there is no such thing as medical confidentiality in Korea. If you see a doctor to get anything from tylenol to valium, expect your employer will know immediately.
I'm not trying to cause any more anxiety for you, but rather wanted you to know before you make the trip over. Best of luck to you. |
Is that really true? Any employer if curious can just pull up your medical records and see everything? |
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Troglodyte
Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 1:48 am Post subject: |
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| FastForward wrote: |
| pmwhittier wrote: |
One other thing to consider - while the medical system is advanced in Korea, the ease of obtaining medications of this (and many other) type is difficult sometimes. Also, there is no such thing as medical confidentiality in Korea. If you see a doctor to get anything from tylenol to valium, expect your employer will know immediately.
I'm not trying to cause any more anxiety for you, but rather wanted you to know before you make the trip over. Best of luck to you. |
Is that really true? Any employer if curious can just pull up your medical records and see everything? |
They can't just pull up your medical records, but if they call the doctor/clinic/hospital/etc. where you went, then the staff there will likely give out your details. Some clinics have a policy about NOT doing this (in particular those that cater to foreigners) but that's far from the norm.
If you claim something on your medical insurance, your employer will know about it. So.... if you want to get treatment for something other than the flu, a sports injury, dental work, or other non-scandalous stuff, DO NOT claim it on your insurance (just pay the clinic out of pocket), and don't go to your regular doctor/clinic. |
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Troglodyte
Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 2:13 am Post subject: Re: concerns about e2 visa drug test |
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| nick2124 wrote: |
Hey there,
I have a prescription for diazepam (valium) which I use occasionally for sleep mainly / occasional anxiety. Though, I've just stopped taking them as I've been using over-the-counter medication as a substitute. However, as I'm planning to arrive in one month or so I'm worried I might fail the drug test.
1) If I mention I've a history of sleeping problems/valium use - will I be denied entry?
2) I read diazepam can stay in your system for up to 6 weeks... I'm worried I might fail the test. In this case, will they be understanding if I provide a prescription?
Thanks,
Nick |
1) In general, Koreans lump all mental and psychological conditions into one category - crazy. Everything from insomnia to depression to full-on psychopath - it's all the same. Do not mention that you've had sleeping problems. You won't be denied entry to Korea and you might not be rejected for the job but even if you are considered for the job, employers will definitely hesitate before hiring you, and all of your co-workers will know about it if you do get the job.
2) I think that you should ask your doctor about how long it will stay in your system and how long it would continue to show up in a urine or blood test. As other have said (in this and other threads) the medical exam isn't looking for stuff like Valium. If they DO happen to test for it and find it, you can ask to have the test re-done because you think that it might be a false positive (others have done this). But, you also don't need to do the medical exam as soon as you get off the plane. As long as you do it before your initial visa expires (and you have time to submit all your papers for the ARC) then you're ok. Most people don't do it in the first few weeks anyway, simply because the school admin are lazy and like to procrastinate. |
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Bongotruck
Joined: 19 Mar 2015
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 2:51 am Post subject: |
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Do not expect the same level of medical ethics here. You will be disappointed.
My boss in the past asked the doctir about me when I was hospitalized. When he blabbed, I flipped out.
| FastForward wrote: |
| pmwhittier wrote: |
One other thing to consider - while the medical system is advanced in Korea, the ease of obtaining medications of this (and many other) type is difficult sometimes. Also, there is no such thing as medical confidentiality in Korea. If you see a doctor to get anything from tylenol to valium, expect your employer will know immediately.
I'm not trying to cause any more anxiety for you, but rather wanted you to know before you make the trip over. Best of luck to you. |
Is that really true? Any employer if curious can just pull up your medical records and see everything? |
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Benjamino
Joined: 21 Apr 2012
Location: Jinju
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 6:10 pm Post subject: Re: concerns about e2 visa drug test |
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| nick2124 wrote: |
Hey there,
I have a prescription for diazepam (valium) which I use occasionally for sleep mainly / occasional anxiety. Though, I've just stopped taking them as I've been using over-the-counter medication as a substitute. However, as I'm planning to arrive in one month or so I'm worried I might fail the drug test.
1) If I mention I've a history of sleeping problems/valium use - will I be denied entry?
2) I read diazepam can stay in your system for up to 6 weeks... I'm worried I might fail the test. In this case, will they be understanding if I provide a prescription?
Thanks,
Nick |
They use the standard five urine test for THC, Opiates, PCP, Cocaine, and Amphetamines.
You'll be OK I suspect.
I got prescribed diazepam here in Korea last month as I'm having a rough time sleeping at night too. |
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alongway
Joined: 02 Jan 2012
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| Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2015 12:50 am Post subject: |
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| FastForward wrote: |
| pmwhittier wrote: |
One other thing to consider - while the medical system is advanced in Korea, the ease of obtaining medications of this (and many other) type is difficult sometimes. Also, there is no such thing as medical confidentiality in Korea. If you see a doctor to get anything from tylenol to valium, expect your employer will know immediately.
I'm not trying to cause any more anxiety for you, but rather wanted you to know before you make the trip over. Best of luck to you. |
Is that really true? Any employer if curious can just pull up your medical records and see everything? |
No it's complete bs, but it doesn't change because people would rather complain on the internet then do something about it. Releasing medical information to a third party without consent is against the law here. If a doctor or hospital does that, report them. |
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Bongotruck
Joined: 19 Mar 2015
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| Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2015 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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Who exactly should that be reported to? I think a lot of people have no access to that sort of information.
| alongway wrote: |
| FastForward wrote: |
| pmwhittier wrote: |
One other thing to consider - while the medical system is advanced in Korea, the ease of obtaining medications of this (and many other) type is difficult sometimes. Also, there is no such thing as medical confidentiality in Korea. If you see a doctor to get anything from tylenol to valium, expect your employer will know immediately.
I'm not trying to cause any more anxiety for you, but rather wanted you to know before you make the trip over. Best of luck to you. |
Is that really true? Any employer if curious can just pull up your medical records and see everything? |
No it's complete bs, but it doesn't change because people would rather complain on the internet then do something about it. Releasing medical information to a third party without consent is against the law here. If a doctor or hospital does that, report them. |
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alongway
Joined: 02 Jan 2012
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| Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2015 11:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Bongotruck wrote: |
Who exactly should that be reported to? I think a lot of people have no access to that sort of information.
| alongway wrote: |
| FastForward wrote: |
| pmwhittier wrote: |
One other thing to consider - while the medical system is advanced in Korea, the ease of obtaining medications of this (and many other) type is difficult sometimes. Also, there is no such thing as medical confidentiality in Korea. If you see a doctor to get anything from tylenol to valium, expect your employer will know immediately.
I'm not trying to cause any more anxiety for you, but rather wanted you to know before you make the trip over. Best of luck to you. |
Is that really true? Any employer if curious can just pull up your medical records and see everything? |
No it's complete bs, but it doesn't change because people would rather complain on the internet then do something about it. Releasing medical information to a third party without consent is against the law here. If a doctor or hospital does that, report them. |
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The government. They have an ombudsman program, and if you can't work that, there are some Korean lawyers who give free legal advice in English who could tell you who to report it to in your area. I'd start with the police. |
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