Prescription Adderall

Danette...your first post...

You wrote:

Last time i checked adderall does not make u sleepy it just helps folks wit adhd to stay focused and not lose interest in what they are doin ...with adhd ur mind is constantly running .. Sri the adderall just slows ur mind to the same speed as some one who doesn't have adhd if any thing the person on adderall would be more alert paying more attention to the road ...but people who have no clue just assume that everyone on adderall is twacked out .. Just saying

Yes Danette, but did you read between the lines... You are correct it doesn't directly make you sleepy, however it can cause insomnia, "lack of ability to sleep" when you need it the most. During times where you must to be awake and alert, you might be tired and drowsy. You don't think "that's a problem"? Rest is a very important part of this job, for both safety and efficiency. A sleepy truck driver is a dangerous truck driver. And check again,...long term use of Adderall can cause potentially dangerous cardiac issues... Is that a problem?

Anything that alters the mind, and has common adverse side affects like dizziness and insomnia, and known to cause heart problems, is a HUGE issue when operating an 80,000 pound missile. So...I do have a clue...both of my sons were on Adderall when they were young. I watched the "ups" and the "downs" and I also watched both of them fight sleep in the middle of the afternoon. Fortunately over time, a long time, they both learned how to manage the condition without taking meds. No one, clueless or otherwise ever suggested folks that need this medication are "twacked-out".

Not sure what your point is, what your interest in trucking is or if you just posted to cause trouble (we'll know soon enough)? Regardless, trucking companies are incredibly strict on what is and isn't an acceptable medication. Re-read what Brett posted:

But as the others have stated there's pretty much always an alternative medicine that will do the job and be legal for commercial driving.

. That is the best advice anyone can give to someone currently required to take Adderall...and certainly doesn't warrant an insulting remark like the one you made...calling him clueless. Attitude...attitude in this job can make you or break you. Just sayin'

I'm updating this thread with an article I just become aware of called 12 Best Adderall Alternatives: Natural Over the Counter ADHD Substitutes. It talks about why Adderall can be dangerous and gives natural alternatives, which include caffeine, which I'm pretty pumped about because I love my coffee! So check out that article if you're dealing with ADHD or taking Adderall.

Is it legal to use adderall when proscribed it by your doctor? How is adderall viewed in the trucking industry? Also, what companies allow adderall if some dont?

While well meaning the information on this thread is incorrect as far as the FMSCA goes. The policy on this is well documented in the FMCSA Medical Examiner Handbook which can be found here:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/mission/advisory-committees/mrb/83401/fmcsamedicalexaminerhandbook.pdf

Decision

Maximum certification — 1 year
Recommend to certify if:
The driver has:

• Non-disqualifying underlying condition (e.g., adult ADHD).
• No drug-induced impairment.
• No tendency to increase the dose.

Unfortunately Mental illness-related stigma is the social norm and even people who mean well and have the best of intentions can tend to spread misinformation so these threads are always challenging. Unfortunately, like most DSM categories ADHD is a spectrum disorder and the reality that the DSM errors towards being descriptive vs diagnostic makes this a challenge for consumers, employers and doctors.

While "Alternative medicine" may work for some people remember it is called "Alternative" because it is not undergone successful medical trials or has failed medical trials. Not all people with ADHD need medication, nor do medications work for all people. Follow the FMSCA recommendations and evaluate the safety and your own symptoms. For some people ADHD results in over-focusing on tasks like driving and them letting their home life, taxes or other obligations fail. If you have ADHD find a good doctor and make an honest evaluation. To carriers, be careful about denying people with ADHD who do not pose a risk and you may want to look up Lisotto v. New Prime which was not ADHD but does mean that you need to balance your companies interests, federal requirements, and the risk of an expensive ADA lawsuit.

You can be a driver if you take dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, or pemoline but you will need more documentation and you will need to re-certify every year. While the symptoms of ADHD may be disqualifying the medication used to treat them and the underlying condition are Non-disqualifying as explicitly called out in the above linked documentation.

Personally I would prefer to document the results of taking a clinically studied medication that is known to work for an individual rather than risk taking some unknown "alternative" medication or to try and be clean for a single test.

Best of luck and drive safe.

Greg wrote:

Is it legal to use adderall when proscribed it by your doctor? How is adderall viewed in the trucking industry? Also, what companies allow adderall if some dont?

While well meaning the information on this thread is incorrect as far as the FMSCA goes. The policy on this is well documented in the FMCSA Medical Examiner Handbook which can be found here:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/mission/advisory-committees/mrb/83401/fmcsamedicalexaminerhandbook.pdf

Decision

Maximum certification — 1 year
Recommend to certify if:
The driver has:

• Non-disqualifying underlying condition (e.g., adult ADHD).
• No drug-induced impairment.
• No tendency to increase the dose.

Unfortunately Mental illness-related stigma is the social norm and even people who mean well and have the best of intentions can tend to spread misinformation so these threads are always challenging. Unfortunately, like most DSM categories ADHD is a spectrum disorder and the reality that the DSM errors towards being descriptive vs diagnostic makes this a challenge for consumers, employers and doctors.

While "Alternative medicine" may work for some people remember it is called "Alternative" because it is not undergone successful medical trials or has failed medical trials. Not all people with ADHD need medication, nor do medications work for all people. Follow the FMSCA recommendations and evaluate the safety and your own symptoms. For some people ADHD results in over-focusing on tasks like driving and them letting their home life, taxes or other obligations fail. If you have ADHD find a good doctor and make an honest evaluation. To carriers, be careful about denying people with ADHD who do not pose a risk and you may want to look up Lisotto v. New Prime which was not ADHD but does mean that you need to balance your companies interests, federal requirements, and the risk of an expensive ADA lawsuit.

You can be a driver if you take dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, or pemoline but you will need more documentation and you will need to re-certify every year. While the symptoms of ADHD may be disqualifying the medication used to treat them and the underlying condition are Non-disqualifying as explicitly called out in the above linked documentation.

Personally I would prefer to document the results of taking a clinically studied medication that is known to work for an individual rather than risk taking some unknown "alternative" medication or to try and be clean for a single test.

Best of luck and drive safe.

The FMCSA guidance on this does not require individual companies to adopt this policy.

As with any prescription drug, although it may not be on the list of banned substances, it still may disqualify an applicant from a specific company.

Fact.

Another script related thread pulled from the basement!!

Greg wrote:

Is it legal to use adderall when proscribed it by your doctor? How is adderall viewed in the trucking industry? Also, what companies allow adderall if some dont?

While well meaning the information on this thread is incorrect as far as the FMSCA goes. The policy on this is well documented in the FMCSA Medical Examiner Handbook which can be found here:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/mission/advisory-committees/mrb/83401/fmcsamedicalexaminerhandbook.pdf

Decision

Maximum certification — 1 year
Recommend to certify if:
The driver has:

• Non-disqualifying underlying condition (e.g., adult ADHD).
• No drug-induced impairment.
• No tendency to increase the dose.

Unfortunately Mental illness-related stigma is the social norm and even people who mean well and have the best of intentions can tend to spread misinformation so these threads are always challenging. Unfortunately, like most DSM categories ADHD is a spectrum disorder and the reality that the DSM errors towards being descriptive vs diagnostic makes this a challenge for consumers, employers and doctors.

While "Alternative medicine" may work for some people remember it is called "Alternative" because it is not undergone successful medical trials or has failed medical trials. Not all people with ADHD need medication, nor do medications work for all people. Follow the FMSCA recommendations and evaluate the safety and your own symptoms. For some people ADHD results in over-focusing on tasks like driving and them letting their home life, taxes or other obligations fail. If you have ADHD find a good doctor and make an honest evaluation. To carriers, be careful about denying people with ADHD who do not pose a risk and you may want to look up Lisotto v. New Prime which was not ADHD but does mean that you need to balance your companies interests, federal requirements, and the risk of an expensive ADA lawsuit.

You can be a driver if you take dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, or pemoline but you will need more documentation and you will need to re-certify every year. While the symptoms of ADHD may be disqualifying the medication used to treat them and the underlying condition are Non-disqualifying as explicitly called out in the above linked documentation.

Personally I would prefer to document the results of taking a clinically studied medication that is known to work for an individual rather than risk taking some unknown "alternative" medication or to try and be clean for a single test.

Best of luck and drive safe.

The FMCSA guidance on this does not require individual companies to adopt this policy.

As with any prescription drug, although it may not be on the list of banned substances, it still may disqualify an applicant from a specific company.

Fact.

I did not say that the FMCSA required companies to accept it, but that it is not a disqualifer.

Companies do increase their exposure to ADA claims by doing so if the treatment is effective and they refuse to hire simply because of a medication that a driver takes without cause.

In fact the medical examiner is not required to accept the use if judgement shows it is unsafe.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/what-medications-disqualify-cmv-driver If an applicant or employee informs an employer that the medicine is being taken for prescribed medical purposes, and the individual is otherwise qualified for the position, taking adverse action against that individual on the basis of the positive drug screen has ADA implications. While many drivers may not have the will or the funds to file an ADA complaint, the documented policy removes the protections that a simple reading provides. Most companies would probably get away with it but it will be expensive for others. Note I know this is an old thread but it's Google rank is very high.

So why come in here and jump on a five year old topic for your first posts?

Well if Google says it’s good then what is lonely ole me to argue with that lol.

Yawn...

There is a difference between what is OK with FMCSA (and 5 panel DOT drug tests), and what is acceptable to a company. And a company can test for whatever they want to - over and above what DOT requires.

And one can go crying all the way to their ADA specialty attorney, but a company's safety and insurance departments can decline to put someone on the road for ANY REASON THEY WANT.

It's a tired argument already - especially when ancient posts are resurrected by first time/new posters.

Rick

Yawn...

There is a difference between what is OK with FMCSA (and 5 panel DOT drug tests), and what is acceptable to a company. And a company can test for whatever they want to - over and above what DOT requires.

And one can go crying all the way to their ADA specialty attorney, but a company's safety and insurance departments can decline to put someone on the road for ANY REASON THEY WANT.

It's a tired argument already - especially when ancient posts are resurrected by first time/new posters.

Rick

Like being deaf or needing a service dog?

CRST to Pay $47,500 to Settle EEOC Disability Discrimination and Retaliation

JBS Carriers Sued by EEOC For Disability Discrimination

JBS Carriers to Pay $250,000 and not Resume ErgoMed Screening to Settle EEOC Discrimination Suit

Drivers Management and Werner Enterprises Sued by EEOC For Disability Discrimination In Hiring

If you are a carrier it is probably best to consult legal counsel if you think the DOT medicals except you from the ADA.
Perhaps if you actually could provide evidence you claim is correct?
My intention was to help with this site's stated mission. Hopefully people who s have ADHD, yet still may be great drivers see that through a few responses which seem to take issue with that goal. Old misinformation is still misinformation.