Can I Be Fired From My Job Because I Am Prescribed Suboxone?

I am just curious because once my current employer found out that I was prescribed to suboxone the head manager is telling me that in order to keep my job I must attend NA meetings. I am pretty sure this violates some major laws. I am aware of HIPAA but am curious as to how it works, and what I need to do to take a stand on this issue. If anyone has any information about this issue I appreciate it.

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hello, just happened to come upon your post and looks as though nobody has replied? idk im not too up on the comments thing.
anyway, if you have a job in a corporate setting, or somewhere where they have a PR, i would def take advantage of your rights of an employee and start there. otherwise fired!??? ridiculous! let em fire you! then sue the s**t out of em and take that head manager position. also i do believe what they're doing is in violations of many different rights that YOU have! you might wanna be nice enough to let this head manager about your intentions, who knows you might end up with a raise! if no PR dept, then it's time you contact the labor board, that should get their panties in a bunch!
stay strong with your rights!

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Same thing happened to me. They want to fire me because my ex told them I'm prescribed suboxone and that I'm a drug addict... what type of lawyer should I contact? How would I sue them????

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HIPPA has nothing to do with your employer. Your employer has the right to set certain criteria for employees due to company liability.

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Rights for Individuals on Medication-Assisted Treatment:

beta.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/partnersforrecovery/docs/Know_Your_Rights_Brochure_0110.pdf

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As long as the person is receiving counseling as well as the medication this may apply. But, it doesn't apply to every job.

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Im prescribed suboxone and i use my insurance from work to cover prescription. Can i be fired for being on suboxone even if its prescribed by my doctor

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I got hired 3 years ago at an oilfield company, I was on 20 MG a day of methadone when I got hired. I have taken several drug panels including one for the hair. I had no problem. When the Dr's called I gave my RX number and the pharmacy's phone number where I did business. Also when flying offshore on helicopters, I, like all employees had to do a drug panel at the heliport before flying out to the drill ship, This has happened several times, and almost every time we fly out of this heliport we have to follow this procedure. Still no problem. Well last week after arriving to the ship, myself and all personal on board had to do a panel on board the offshore ship, and this was after we completed our job. We were there for 5 days, and were scheduled to fly back onshore the following day. My results of course showed methadone in my body. I was told I wasn't suppose to be on this while onboard. The supervisor called in to our office and had to tell them what happened. There were 3 guys I work with that are on suboxone and their results showed nothing, I made an appointment with a Dr today to start suboxone. I have to go into to work tomorrow to see if I still have a job. I was told that I was supposed to have informed the medic that I was taking methadone when boarding the ship. Any advice?

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I was fired for being prescribed suboxone and I don't know where to go from here? I am a RN and I was working at a jail. I don't really want the board of nursing to find this out and then possibly lose my license or be put on some monitoring program. But I want to sue the s*** out of them! I feel I was totally discriminated against. I don't want to give all the details on the internet because you never know what will come back to bite you in the ass. But to anyone who thinks like I used to; that you can't get in trouble for your own Rx. Think again!!! I was suspended then fired and I was a good employee but word spread throughout the facility and all sorts of rumors began to go around. I'm still looking for work. Please be careful, everyone is not as understanding as you think and many just think you are a worthless untrustworthy drug addict, when that couldn't be further from the truth. Addiction is all over the media. actresses and actors can go to rehab and come out, make another movie and millions of dollars. I try hard to advocate but we are far far from having equal rights. Best of luck and God Bless you all

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I have been on suboxone since 2012 and my employer is aware of it. We recently got a new doctor and nurse and now they laid me off until I can quit taking suboxone. On the other hand I was told I could take Lortab! I take Suboxone for pain not addiction. I do work safety sensitive position, but I have taken Suboxone 2012 and its now 20015 so while lay me off now? I feel that my rights have been violated because I am an outstanding employee. I don't feel lethargic or high when I take my MEDS so I defiantly feel like I have a case here!

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Tell them you are not on Suboxone you are on Naloxone for pain. Tell them to kiss it after that.

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I have respect for you, that was perhaps the most well put together lovely paragraph I have seen in a while. Lol props to you.

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I was on Suboxone for pain for years! In Europe they treat pain with Suboxone all the time. In the US they are starting to do it now. Tell your employer this and if he asks for a letter from your doctor....tell your doctor your employer will fire you if he thinks your taking it for anything besides pain.

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Would you mind writing about your experience? I'm interested in stories about people who lost their job or a child or something else because they were on Suboxone. Of course it's appalling for this to happen. {edited for privacy}

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Just saw ur post and I'm in the exact situation, and i would like to know what u did, how u went about handling it, and what the outcome of the situation was? Did u end up with a legal suit? Just wondering if i might have one? Thank u.

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I was fired when my employer found out that I was in a rx

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I'm in the same situation as you I was working in a medical office As a MA

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Employers have the right to know if their employees are taking certain medications. Employers have the right to fire employees if the are being treated for drug addiction.

No doctor is going to write a letter telling a patients employer they are being prescribed a medication they are not. Or that they are being prescribed a medication for a condition when that is not the truth.

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Then I have a Employment Disability Discrimination case of my own that would blow all your minds, what happened to me is by far the worst discrimination ever upon a buprenorphine patient taking it for recovery.

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Could u explain what happened to you?this could possibly help us know more

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I too am a nurse looking for work. I never took a thing while working as a nurse. My addiction didn't come until two years later. However I am on suboxone and I can not get hired anywhere. Never had any issues with license or board of nursing or police department.

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Re: michael1990 (# 2)

ADA attorney should do well for you.

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Re: BL (# 17)

Actually, it is against federal law to fire someone for taking suboxone. They are covered under the ADA. Look it up. It’s that kind of ignorance that causes lawsuits to happen.

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Re: siknik (# 1)

If you sign a contract with your employer stating that you will not use narcotic painkillers while at work then the employer has every right to terminate your position.

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Re: Nate (# 34)

It depends on your employer. For security and liability reasons. some employers cannot have employees with a history of addiction. If any employee lies or misrepresents on their application. They can be fired or not hired.

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Re: siknik (# 1)

I'm here to tell you I was let go from my job over it. I worked at a Drug Rehab for men, and when corporate found out, they had my boss to let me go..Maybe I should check with a lawyer..I think it is wrong..

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Re: working hard to fight back (# 8)

Rights for Individuals on Medication-Assisted Treatment:
samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/partnersforrecovery/docs/Know_Your_Rights_Brochure_0110.pdf

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Re: Worthless (# 18)

Please tell me your story. I applied for a job and they said I was disqualified because I take buprenorphine.

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Re: michael1990 (# 2)

Depends on the job. If operating heavy machinery or driving - they very well might have the right. The fed EEOC site probably has info. Mercedes in the US fired a guy on anti-depressants (he lost his entire family in a car accident) went to court n lost. Is being an addict a disability? IDK: if so you can maybe get disability until off the Suboxone.

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I currently work in a hospital as a respiratory therpist and have been going to a suboxone rehab clinic with monthly group recovery meetings. The doctor there prescribes me suboxone, klonopin and neurontin. I also am part of a union that has a contract agreement with the hospital that no drug test can be given unless an accident on the job happens. Just recently a home health coordinator job was posted and I am friends with the manager that told me to apply. I'm really tired of running the floors and would really enjoy the new position but the job offer is a non-union job that can drug test. Can the hospital fire me if I take the home health job and should I just stay were I am?

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Re: working hard to fight back (# 8)

I’ve been told you cannot be fired it is against the law, I know a lot of people in the clinic that are RNs work in. Nursing field
Even delivering pills to pharmacy! The clinic will tell you it is the same as a diabetes medicine it is very illegal!

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