Failed the medical - how long until a decision comes?

[chrisete 55]

He needs to be proactive and find out what they expect from him to show he is no longer addicted or has a substance abuse disorder. Their technical instructions say it should be given to him in writing so ask for it. What does he have to provide and for how long? Treatment in drug re-hab? Monthly medical reports submitted showing no substance use? For how long before they consider his condition in remission and no longer a Class A (inadmissible) condition? They are required to spell it out based on their diagnosis.

Nich-Nick has written so many helpful points on this subject, please look them all up. I did and it saved my sanity. I had a DUI over 25 years ago and am a 17 year recovering alcoholic but I still freaked.

Still, I went and had blood tests for alcohol and even drug tests although not an addict as soon as I read the advice so I could show a history at the medical. My dreaded scary medical lasted 5 minutes after the doctor saw my results and a stack of character references from people I knew from before during and my life today. Be honest, get the treatment if possible and you will be fine.

Sorry though that you will not know for how long but get tested once a month and you will feel like you have bit of control over your destiny. Good luck...read those posts!!

[Boiler 43,842]

How long has he been in a drug treatment programme?

Obviously depends on the extent of his problems and his criminal history.

[madtownguy 164]

If he knew he was taking the test why didn't he cleanse his system? Sounds like a drug problem. If I go to get my blood drawn for normal medical testing I change my eating habits and everything for a couple weeks to make sure my results are as good as possible. I'd slap him upside the head.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Cleansing your system doesn't change an admission of drug use at the medical which can also cause a ban.

[MidAtlanticMerge 9]

How long has he been in a drug treatment programme?

Obviously depends on the extent of his problems and his criminal history.

He's not in a drug treatment programme. We assume that there will be a 1 year ban, with random drug testing through out, but he's not currently in a programme. He has no criminal history and his police certificate was totally perfect.

He doesn't have a problem with drugs, he was a problem with being smart, prepared and well researched before going to an incredibly important event.

If he knew he was taking the test why didn't he cleanse his system? Sounds like a drug problem. If I go to get my blood drawn for normal medical testing I change my eating habits and everything for a couple weeks to make sure my results are as good as possible. I'd slap him upside the head.

We didn't think there would be drug testing. If he knew he wouldn't have smoked. I'd probably slap him upside the head, if he weren't on another continent.

Edited March 25, 2016 by MidAtlanticMerge

[Unidentified 2,930]

He's not in a drug treatment programme. We assume that there will be a 1 year ban, with random drug testing through out, but he's not currently in a programme.

He doesn't have a problem with drugs, he was a problem with being smart, prepared and well researched before going to an incredibly important event.

We didn't think there would be drug testing.

So it would have been better for him to not have gotten caught doing drugs instead of getting caught and now has a chance of quitting his drug problem?

[MidAtlanticMerge 9]

So it would have been better for him to not have gotten caught doing drugs instead of getting caught and now has a chance of quitting his drug problem?

I don't think I understand the question.

If he/we had done more research, he would have stopped smoking weeks in advance.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

I don't think I understand the question.

If he/we had done more research, he would have stopped smoking weeks in advance.

He still would've had to answer if he had used or not. That can cause a failed medical as well.

[MidAtlanticMerge 9]

He still would've had to answer if he had used or not. That can cause a failed medical as well.

Hm well unfortunately I can't tell you what would have happened bc that's not what happened. I am not positive, but I think I've seen threads on here where people who admit to drug use but who test clean still get approved. Seems like they've loosened the rules up a bit recently?

The only other option is to lie, which people on here agree is not a good idea. I do wonder though what proportion of people do lie - I think a huge percentage of people have at least tried marijuana.

[Chris and ZhiJia 146]

I don't think I understand the question.

If he/we had done more research, he would have stopped smoking weeks in advance.

There wasn't much research that needed to be done.

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Medical/LND%20-%20London

The document you were required to print out and bring with you to the Medical tells you what to expect. It literally states (Physical Exam, Chest X-Ray, and Blood Test). I mean what did you think they were drawing blood for, there are many drugs that don't show up in a urine sample, a blood test is the best way to analyze for drug usage. It is just most employers don't use this method, because the cost of a blood test is far far greater than a urine sample.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Hm well unfortunately I can't tell you what would have happened bc that's not what happened. I am not positive, but I think I've seen threads on here where people who admit to drug use but who test clean still get approved. Seems like they've loosened the rules up a bit recently?

The only other option is to lie, which people on here agree is not a good idea. I do wonder though what proportion of people do lie - I think a huge percentage of people have at least tried marijuana.

it depends on the consulate and if it was a one time thing or habitual. If habitual the ban would likely be in place.

[Unidentified 2,930]

If he knew he was taking the test why didn't he cleanse his system? Sounds like a drug problem. If I go to get my blood drawn for normal medical testing I change my eating habits and everything for a couple weeks to make sure my results are as good as possible. I'd slap him upside the head.

He would still have to say yes to using drugs.

Cleansing is unnecessary, that's what your liver does. Changing your diet a few weeks before testing doesn't change anything.

[MidAtlanticMerge 9]

There wasn't much research that needed to be done.

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Medical/LND%20-%20London

The document you were required to print out and bring with you to the Medical tells you what to expect. It literally states (Physical Exam, Chest X-Ray, and Blood Test). I mean what did you think they were drawing blood for, there are many drugs that don't show up in a urine sample, a blood test is the best way to analyze for drug usage. It is just most employers don't use this method, because the cost of a blood test is far far greater than a urine sample.

Thanks for the supportive comment.

[Unidentified 2,930]

There wasn't much research that needed to be done.

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Medical/LND%20-%20London

The document you were required to print out and bring with you to the Medical tells you what to expect. It literally states (Physical Exam, Chest X-Ray, and Blood Test). I mean what did you think they were drawing blood for, there are many drugs that don't show up in a urine sample, a blood test is the best way to analyze for drug usage. It is just most employers don't use this method, because the cost of a blood test is far far greater than a urine sample.

Not all consulates tests for drugs in the blood test. They only test for syphilis.

[MidAtlanticMerge 9]

Not all consulates tests for drugs in the blood test. They only test for syphilis.

That's the impression we were under. We are incredibly stupid for not looking further into it, but we are obviously paying the price.