Failed Drug Test? Advice?

Hello all,

I'm a junior at a target school, and I recently signed on to do my summer at UBS LA.

I've been interning at a local UBS (the ubiquitous wealth management division) for over a month now and for one reason or another they didn't ask me to do a piss test until three and a half weeks into it, after I had already done everything else (paperwork, checks, etc.)

I was caught off guard when they asked me to take it, as it seemingly came out of the blue, and I had used my room-mates Aderall the night before to study for a test. However, they said they needed it within 72 hours, so I had to take it in two days, no way around it.

Well, they just got it back, and the Aderall showed up (at the chemical level,it's a mixture of amphetamines and stays in your system for 5 days) and because I had no subscription for it, they said this does not qualify as a pass and I could not work there anymore.

So my question is as this is UBS's local PWM and not UBS IBD, will this come up this summer and bar me from employment? Or will I just have to take another piss test this summer and if I pass that I'm in the clear? Does anyone know anything about this? Any advice?

Obviously, this would suck if it shows up because I've already told all the other firms that offered no, and doubt they would re-offer after I rejected them. Any advice would really help, I have no idea what to expect! Thanks!

 

don't be a dick, he is right about adderall showing up, however I've read it stays 2-4 days, so you may have been able to avoid it if you waited to the latest possible time......I'm not sure about your question though, about staying in PWM. Your situation sucks but, especially if you're at a target, you can still get hooked up for full time. Also, maybe you should try some boutiques to see if you can spend the summer at least with some banking experience..

FYI, I'm not a banker but a summer like yourself. Sorry to hear about your situation

 
sleepyguyb:
Tell them it was adderall and that you have a prescription for it. Your medical history is confidential. Jesus tell them to STFU. Problem solved.

don't listen to this guy, you need to show proof of a prescription if you test positive....if you could get a doc to write a perscription for a small dosage that could possibly work but would probably be tough....

 
Best Response

First: If this ever happens to anyone else, the day you find out you tested positive, tell them you have a prescription. Then go and get one within a couple of days. It isn't difficult; use your analyst resourcefulness to find the right doctor. Fax the people your prescription or a picture of your pill bottle. End of story.

Second: depending on your dosage and willingness to cycle water, you can pass a pee test within 48 hours of taking Adderall XR. It's not the most sensitive test in the world. Just don't be stupid: metabolize it out as best as you can, then go in with a fresh full bladder and catch a clear midstream sample. Do a search for my posts to find the full detail if you want to.

I have a scrip for the stuff, of course, but I don't want to have to deal with the questions and invasion of privacy, so I always make sure I test clean. I really don't think anyone should ever lose their job over Adderall.

 

Suman is correct in that you will need to show a scrip. However, it's not difficult to do. I've never had a doctor so much as blink when I asked for it. They whip out the pad without a second thought if you say the right things in the right way. Be firm, responsible, professional, mature, and in a hurry. Tell them you've been on it for years with your other doctor back home. Adderall scrips don't cross state lines, so you need a new doctor whenever you hit a new state. Not hard to explain.

 

WildWest, I have no idea whether IBD will look at PWM's documents. I'm sorry.

It doesn't matter where you actually live, though. What you say and what you are don't necessarily have to coincide. Just go to a brand-new doctor and say you're new to the state. He's not going to make you prove it in a court of law before writing you a standard scrip.

 

Man, thats tough. sorry to be the first one to say this, but UBS is UBS, doesnt matter if it's their PWM or IBD, all firms have common HR databases. From what I understand, you aren't transferring from PWM to IBD, but will start fresh in their IBD in the summer, mainly because now you have been told to leave.

If you ever worked for a firm before, they maintain all records for a minimum of 7 years to permanent - it's the law.

you can bet your life on this, they will have you take another urine test within the first 3 days and your old records will pop up in the database and they will find out why you were let go. They will also question you and ask why you didn't mention this in the interview. hard shit man.

all hope is not lost though, i would focus on two things right now (1) keeping my system clean, and (2) making up a good excuse for why you were taking Aderall.

You are lucky, I'm actually surprised they didn't revoke their offer after this, the person dealing with you was probably a nice person and didn't bother to share with the IBD's HR people (if s/he knew you were going to IBD). You might still have a chance if you can convince them (after they ask you, dont be generous enough to offer) that you had valid medical reasons, or fax them a "prescription" telling them you couldn't find it back then.

 

Here's the thing, I found out since I didn't pass the initial piss test, they hadn't yet filed all my papers (i.e. they were waiting on that supposedly)

So am I still on file even though I wasn't ever officially on the books because I hadn't gone through all the requisite pre-hire procedures?

Any insight anybody might have would be amazing.

 

Does anybody have any insight as to what I just posted? Should I just give up on UBS LA, not deal with moving out there/risk getting canned and just start looking for local shit?

Seeing as how I don't think I was ever on the books as officially being an employee, will my records still come up?

 

I think Mis Ind is exaggerating a bit how easy it is to get an adderall prescription..but that being said, it's certainly do-able. Just look up ADD online and know all of the symptoms cold. I'd recommend going to a doctor at your school's student health if you have a hospital attached to your school - a lot of the doctors who work in the "student health" are residents (not truly autonomous doctors yet)...less experienced and more likely to give you what you want.

Also, ask around to your friends and find out which doctor prescribed them adderall..some doctors are certainly more easy than others to get a prescription out of.

As to your recent questions, it's possible that your failed drug test will still be in the system. Even though you weren't an employee, you were still a "candidate" and I'd imagine HR keeps records of this stuff so they can avoid bothering to interview people who they're already interviewed and disliked or who tested positive for heroin etc.

I think you'll need a good story for UBS LA, but I'm really not sure that this will even come up. I would actually try to rectify the situation with PWM right now instead of waiting to be asked about it by UBS LA later on...just tell them you didn't realize that adderall showed up on drug tests and that you didn't disclose you were taking it because you didn't want them to know you have ADD. When they told you you'd failed the drug test (I'm assuming they didn't specify what drug was found in your system) tell them you were really confused, because you don't do drugs. And then say how you thought about it for a while, and realized it might have been the adderall, which you now admit you are prescribed. And then you present the prescription or pill bottle or whatever.

If this doesn't work and you remain let go from UBS PWM, I'm not sure that LA will even found out - unless PWM knows you're interning with LA and calls them - but nonetheless, I don't think your LA job offer is contingent on you passing a drug test now, it's contingent on you not being arrested and passing a drug test in May when you start work for them.

 

Does anybody else know anything about this process? Whether local PWM HR records for a "candidate" not yet an "intern" are on record with IBD HR? Do they even keep such records for "candidates"? Also, will this come up before I get there or only after I've started? Any insight would much appreciated! Thank you so much everybody!

 

Dav, I'm three for three on just walking into a doctor's office and walking out with a scrip. No medical history taken, no tests required, any dosage or amount I ask for, plus refills for as long as I want them. Two of them didn't even ask the critical question as to whether or not I have heart problems. Talk about malpractice suits waiting to happen... my fiance will be a rich man if I keel over anytime soon.

At any rate, it was easy for me. Your mileage may vary.

 

Update, I've recieved a letter in the mail basically saying if I can't provide the prescription along with the name, address, and tele of the prescribing Dr. by tomorrow, it "will result in UBS's withdrawal of any offer of employment"

This was a local PWM test. Does this particular test now hold for UBS LA in June too? Will IBD see this and rescind in June or is it contingent upon my piss test with them at the time?

Should I roll the dice and head out to UBS LA as Bon Jovi might say "living on a prayer"? Should I "quit" UBS LA now, before they even find out and roll the dice on finding whatever boutique might possibly have some scraps for summer leftover? Any thoughts?

 

Well, that's stupid. Didn't you give your paper prescription to the pharmacist when you got your scrip filled? And how could they possibly call the doctor for verification when he is barred by law from giving out patient data without permission? You're not thinking. THEY're not thinking.

This whole thing would obviously take at least several days to get figured out. Days that I'm sure could be put to good use by a thoughtful analyst-type person.

 

I was on Spring Break in South America. I found out about all this when I checked my voicemail for the first time since I was back in the country when I arrived back at my dorm today. Just moments ago, I checked my mailbox to find that this piece of mail had been sitting in my box for much of the week I've been gone. I've been back in the States for less than 24 hours and just got hit by this maelstrom of a nightmare.

My conundrum is:

1.) Hope that the local PWM test doesn't go through to their IBD or they don't check/notice/get in contact with whoever took this, take the IBD test and move on. Basically, hope it blows over come June. Somehow I feel this is unlikely.

2.) Try and find some random doctor to give me prescription on the spot although the date they specified ends tomorrow at noon. This would be tough to do between operating hours of 8-12, and I feel any chance this had of not going on the books (blowing over) as I was a "candidate" technically and not an "intern" yet (hopefully no records), would be nullified. Moreover, it might be risking a huge ding when I report to IBD, if this maneuver fails.

3.) Cut my losses, quit now before they find out anything (someone suggested citing a nebulous term like "family difficulties"), try and find some semblance of any remaing scrap of a financial internship left at this point (I turned down all my other BB offers 10 days ago when I signed before Spring Break, so they're most likely done) and thereby not risk getting black-balled by HR(and God knows whoever else they might come into contact with) and just give it another go for full-time in the fall.

Anybody?

 

Uhh call UBS PWM tell them you just got back, that you don't have any paper prescriptions left. And give them the name of any doctor you please..I'd go for a pediatric neurologist..just look someone up in the phonebook. I'm 99% sure that the doctor's office legally cannot even tell them if you are a patient or not. So let them call the guy haha.

Then, go see this pediatric neurologist ASAP and try and get a prescription. Or just see any doctor and try and get a prescription and if they ask why you've changed doctors, say you changed health insurance and the doctor's name you gave them originally wasn't in your plan so you had to switch. Look, they can't pry that much into the situation..it's just weird and barely legal for them to do that.

 

ok...UBS LA is mad prestigious I would not even start thinking about any so-called "cut my losses and do etc, etc." type actions. Instead I would talk to the HR person at the PWM firm and work it out there. And try by all means possible to salvage your summer internship.

Things to consider: -Can any contact at the PWM firm help you out with UBS LA HR? -Can you explain the entire situation to PWM HR, spring break trip, etc. and reason with them human being to human being and get them to cut you some slack on the deadline?

 

Don't you have a family friend who's a doctor? Not being too presumptive, but every family's got a doctor friend. Ask your mom/dad about one of their buddies from school. It works!

 

ask him to backdate it dude. but it sounds like you already confessed and admitted guilt to HR... let this be a lesson to the rest of you: with the right story you can get away with a positive on almost any drug.

 

what that means is..... take white paper, put it over the date, make a better date, make a copy, make sure there are no shadows, then fax that copy. be creative. you could just say i don't have my old scrip, and i through the bottle out but i made a copy of my new one or you.

no offense, but im starting to worry about your problem solving skills though. 1. they gave you 3 days to get your system clean, then you still got popped 2. you should be at the local immediate care, capus care, whatever center right now 3. the date is very easy to fix,

and notice only like one person has said you should fess up, obviously its not like you were doing heroin.

 

Believe me, I tried everything in the book to metabolize it, even though everybody I asked said they had never heard of addy being tested for, so I was sure I was in the clear. I had taken it the night before they asked, and they say it takes your system 5 days to completely flush.

I tested at 600 ng/ML, the limit is 500 ng/ml, I asked them and they said most people who use it usually test well into the the 2,3,4,000 ng/ml range, so I was over the limit by the skin of my teeth, but they said anything over 500 is positive.

 

I can not answer questions about UBS HR.

Everybody should know, If Someone asks you to put it in a bottle and you are even the slightest bit concerned

DRINK WATER. no juices no metabolizing JUST WATER.

As much as you can possibly drink for the hours leading up to the test. Literally 1.5 gallons or more.

When you pee out your but your all set. Their wont be a trace of anything in your pee. (do not use this method for prohbation or DOT tests) Please consult your doctor before trying this, but I know it got me out of trouble in my younger days.

Also, my family freind doctor, who smoked his way through Cambridge said do not try to metabolize anything because the bad things that show up are not THC, for example, but byproducts of THC being processed by your body. Many of these byproducts are deposited in fat, which we all know, and metabolizing actually moves the deposits into your urine to then be removed from your body.

Sorry about UBS.

 
jar059000:
I can not answer questions about UBS HR.

Everybody should know, If Someone asks you to put it in a bottle and you are even the slightest bit concerned

DRINK WATER. no juices no metabolizing JUST WATER.

As much as you can possibly drink for the hours leading up to the test. Literally 1.5 gallons or more.

When you pee out your but your all set. Their wont be a trace of anything in your pee. (do not use this method for prohbation or DOT tests) Please consult your doctor before trying this, but I know it got me out of trouble in my younger days.

Also, my family freind doctor, who smoked his way through Cambridge said do not try to metabolize anything because the bad things that show up are not THC, for example, but byproducts of THC being processed by your body. Many of these byproducts are deposited in fat, which we all know, and metabolizing actually moves the deposits into your urine to then be removed from your body.

Sorry about UBS.

don't listen to this, drinking that much water before a test will dilute the sample and they will be able to recognize it (they make sure the ph levels, etc. are all within normal range) and you will fail the test for tampering..

 
sumanlst08:
don't listen to this, drinking that much water before a test will dilute the sample and they will be able to recognize it (they make sure the ph levels, etc. are all within normal range) and you will fail the test for tampering..

what ive been told about this is that the test comes back inconclusive and you are asked to take the test again.

 
azwethinkweiz:
sumanlst08:
don't listen to this, drinking that much water before a test will dilute the sample and they will be able to recognize it (they make sure the ph levels, etc. are all within normal range) and you will fail the test for tampering..

what ive been told about this is that the test comes back inconclusive and you are asked to take the test again.

i dont know from experience, but from my understanding the test will be considered positive....they know it takes quite an effort to dilute the sample to that extent. My BB drug screen consent form says "if the test result indicates that the sample has been adulterated, diluted, or otherwise tampered with in order to mask or change a result, you also will be deemed ineligible for employment or assignment" in bold letters.....just pass it honestly

 

Someone I know (who does NOT take drugs) drank a whole lot of water before his drug test for an IB job because he was afraid he would not be able to produce a sample (long story, not relevant here). His results came back as "too dilute" and he was just asked to retake the test about a week later. There was no problem or accusation of trying to cover up drug use or anything like that.

 

The issue about drugs is not so much the drug taking per se but discipline and self control. Both capital markets (my area) and IBD give an analyst a large amount of responsibility and exposure to sensitive information at an early age relative to other occupations.

This was not unlimited, since junior traders are (or at least when I was at a MM in the US) given very tight trading limits and IBD analyst (from what I heard) used to be confined to checking pitch books. However, there were always a few horror stories about analysts succumbing to temptation and abusing their position (insider trading, hiding losses). Compliance therefore decided that one way to filter out those with a weak character and little self discipline was to run drug tests.

 

In regards to the first reply to this situation. You made yourself look pretty silly with that post. Of course they test for Adderall! It's an AMPHETAMINE....a very highly controlled substance.

 

Where is it written in stone that Adderrall takes precisely five days to get out of your system. I think it depends on the persons diet, fluid intake, exercising habits, etc....

All drugs can vary as to how long they are flushed out of a persons system.

 

I just don't understand why people have such pressure to perform that they're willing to cheat any way they can. I've literally told interviewers and recruiters I have an adderall-free GPA and most lose their shit. Their eyes get real wide, they look back down at my resume, at my school, and then back at me a bit incredulously. Then when I say I fully finance my own education, that really ices the cake.

A GPA for one semester is not worth dicking yourself over in the long run, at least in my book.

I am permanently behind on PMs, it's not personal.
 
A Posse Ad Esse:
I just don't understand why people have such pressure to perform that they're willing to cheat any way they can. I've literally told interviewers and recruiters I have an adderall-free GPA and most lose their shit. Their eyes get real wide, they look back down at my resume, at my school, and then back at me a bit incredulously. Then when I say I fully finance my own education, that really ices the cake.

A GPA for one semester is not worth dicking yourself over in the long run, at least in my book.

Thank you doctor... except, you really don't know what's in it in the long-run for everyone. I find it funny that you'd even bring the subject up in an interview. Sounds to me like you're either a prescription snob or a braggart. Nowadays they'd probably prefer the focus over such characteristics, know what I mean...

It's cheating and illegal when it's on the street and unavailable by prescription, signed by a qualified medical professional. Otherwise, it's something that helps some people function normally -- it may be something that you can't relate to, lots of things like that on planet Earth.

 

I hope they take your sheer stupidity into consideration and don't give you an FT offer. There are plenty of people willing to NOT smoke a bowl for a couple months in return for a career in IB.

And if you're a troll... lawl.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

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