Anti anxiety meds and EMS/fire

[Feyenoord345]

I'm currently an aspiring EMT/FF. I am currently prescribed klonopin to take on a daily basis.

How big of an obstacle would that be to get into an EMS/Fire program, and how big of an obstacle would it be to getting hired as an EMT/Firefighter?

I appreciate any information or advice, thanks in advance.

 

[triemal04]

Getting hired will be possible though you'll likely have some difficulties, but that isn't what should concern you.

You should be more worried about the fact that you already have an anxiety disorder strong enough that you have to be on a benzo all the time. Working in medicine, at any level, can be very stressful and detrimental to people's longterm mental health. This does depend on the person to some extent, but all will be under more stress than the average person. And it is very far from unheard of for people to end up being treated for depression, anxiety, PTSD (the real version, not the "waaah waaah waaah" version) and such.

You are going to be starting behind the eight-ball. Something to think about.

 

[Underoath87]

It would be a huge liability for any agency to hire you since you need a benzodiazepine to function.
And that's not even considering the fact that you're prone to anxiety.
I know that some places have a strict "no tolerance policy" (even on prescribed controlled substances) which would preclude your employment.

 

[teedubbyaw]

Matter of whether you're asked to disclose the information or not.

 

[chaz90]

Matter of whether you're asked to disclose the information or not.

If you test positive for benzodiazepines in either a random, post accident, or pre-hire drug screen and you didn't disclose it beforehand it's going to be an issue.

 

[Uclabruin103]

Why not try and get some counseling and therapy to rid yourself of the dependence on meds. learn coping instead of pill popping.

 

[chaz90]

Why not try and get some counseling and therapy to rid yourself of the dependence on meds. learn coping instead of pill popping.

Pharmacologic therapies are an accepted part of the treatment for many different mental illnesses. Each patient and condition has their own set of circumstances, and each patient is treated by someone who A. Has actually met and evaluated them and B. Is far more of an expert on psychiatric care than we random internet strangers.

In many cases, counseling and medications are used in conjunction to provide the best overall treatment for a patient and help them regain control of their life.

How about we try to refrain from absolutes like what you typed here and don't imply we know more than the professionals providing mental health care?

 

[Carlos Danger]

How about we try to refrain from absolutes like what you typed here and don't imply we know more than the professionals providing mental health care?

This.

 

[Kevinf]

Why not try and get some counseling and therapy to rid yourself of the dependence on meds. learn coping instead of pill popping.

Telling someone who has altered brain chemistry to "cope" is very much like telling an asthmatic to "cope" without their albuterol.

Non-drug therapies are useful for many disparate conditions but as Chaz has pointed out, a prescription means that this person has been evaluated by a high level provider and meds are part of their treatment plan.

 

[Summit]

Echoing Chaz, Remi, and Kevinf's comments