Will I get turned down for a job because I am on methadone/buprenorphine?

When initially being prescribed methadone or buprenorphine, most patients are concerned if Medication-Assisted Treatment will hinder their current job or their ability to obtain a new job... the answer is NO. ​

​

Will being prescribed methadone/buprenorphine affect a drug test required for a job?

Methadone will not result in a positive test for opiates, morphine, fentanyl, or heroin. The only way for a company or other organization to detect methadone is to test for it specifically, which is not a common practice. People who are participating in Medication-Assisted Treatment are not using an illegal drug and have a valid prescription.  

In fact, as of April, 2022 The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects patients specifically prescribed methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone. This prohibits discrimination against people in recovery from Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) who are not engaging in illegal drug use. This means that methadone/buprenorphine patients are covered under The Americans with Disabilities Act and being enrolled in Medication-Assisted Treatment cannot be used to deny employment.

 

To learn more about this law and the protection you have as a MAT patient, click HERE.

 

Will methadone/buprenorphine affect my ability to drive a car or heavy machinery?

The law does not prohibit methadone patients from operating motor vehicles or other forms of machinery. When taken as prescribed, methadone does not produce sedation or intoxication.