Hey Guys,

So I got diagnosed with ADD two weeks ago and my Psychiatrist (an AD/HD Specialist) put me on Adderall XR 10mg

Nowadays I am in the process of interviewing for a job, and if all goes well and I pass the interviews I will be required to give a drug test (They call it biometric test..I am not sure what that is..but I am assuming it has drug testing in it).

I am worried about the drug test. Personally if given the choice I'd rather not tell my employer about my ADD. I have the inattentive kind but I still manage to get my job done (I am an IT worker) so people have never really found out that I have ADD.

Whats my legal rights here? Will having ADD affect my job application negatively? Should I stop using adderall for a week or so before the drug test just so that its not in my system? Will my employer be able to check my medical insurance (Blue Cross for me here in canada) and find out that I am on ADD medication? or be able to check my medical files or something?

Basically this really concerns me because I think an employer would see ADD as a disadvantage in the fast paced IT world and may not choose to hire me because of it.

You should be absolutely fine, and your employer doesn't need to now...At least that's how it works here in the US. When you complete a drug test, it is usually done by an outside company. They simply relay the results to your employer, but your employer does not receive further information. In your case, you would want to give the company performing the test the pertinent information for your ADD. Since they will have the information on file, you will be able to pass the test, because you have a justified use of an amphetamine. In my experience, they do not tell your employer that you are taking certain medications or have certain medical conditions...they simply respond back to the employer with "Pass" or "Fail." Good luck, and don't worry!

Great, now I can sleep peacefully tonight.

Hope I get the job :)

I believe that you can have your MD send a letter DIRECTLY to the Testing Company stating that you have an [unstated] medical condition for which you take amphetamine medication.

At most, in a big company, the HR Dept. might be informed, and I believe most places HR Department's keep it under their hats, as it is a human rights situation.

NB There are several reasons a person can take stimulant medication, other than ADD, FWIW. One is narcolepsy.

NB A lot of IT people I've met are ADDers or ASD (on the v. mild end of the Spectrum).

Yeah, don't fret over this one. You're going to be just fine. Companies take precautions when it comes to situations like these- they can't afford to have you running back and accusing them of not hiring you because you have ADHD. So, as someone mentioned, HR departments (if they need to know at all) often keep this information to themselves. And, as an added bonus, once you're hired you have grounds to request certain (reasonable) accomodations if need be.

NB A lot of IT people I've met are ADDers or ASD (on the v. mild end of the Spectrum).

Where are these people hiding! How do I find my partners in crime :)

Where are these people hiding! How do I find my partners in crime :)

They're where you least expect them. I've been in IT for years. If you look around most IT shops you will find at least one and often more- depending on the size of your shop. We tend to be pretty desirable in IT environments because we are tenacious problem solvers.

There are several technical websites that have discussion forums. I clearly recall a discussion on one specifically about the incidence of ADHD and Asperger's Syndrome in IT on one of them.

A friend of mine who's wife is a pharmacist also told me the same thing, but I guess these dudes keep themselves well hidden.

The Company I work for is a midsized software company with 100's of employees, so I am guessing there are a atleast a few ADD guys here...

When you really think about it (IT jobs and ADD being related), most ADDers seek stimulation. It might just be me, but i've found computers and working with them highly addictive due to the stimulating properties (instant gratification, etc). :D

Computer and internet access provide instant gratification, and that can be very very addictive to people who seek stimulation. and I know many people with ADHD type inattention who are hooked on computers, with most being skilled "techies" so to speak.