We all make mistakes, but unfortunately, sometimes those mistakes can cost us big. Failing a drug test can have major consequences. You could lose the opportunity for a new job, be suspended from school, or even have legal repercussions.
Luckily, you can pass a drug test even if you’ve used recently. To do so, you will need to understand how drug testing works, how long each substance stays in your system, and how to detox illicit substances from your body. At-home drug test kits are essential to passing a drug test.
If you have an upcoming drug test scheduled that you are nervous about passing, purchase a set of accurate at-home drug test kits. Then follow our step-by-step guide below to pass your upcoming drug test.
What Is Usually Tested In a Drug Test?
Any time a person consumes something, that thing metabolizes. This means the body absorbs most of that substance while excreting the by-product.
Modern technology allows drug testing labs to use samples of our urine, hair, blood, or even saliva to screen for substances we’ve absorbed.
Urine tests are the most common drug screening method for pre-employment exercises and government agencies because they are convenient and affordable.
Alternatively, hair testing is gaining favorability for its ability to track the long-term use of illicit drugs and substances. When we consume substances, whether by injection, inhalation, or ingestion, our hair follicles absorb small metabolites of these substances through our bloodstream.
Saliva tests are primarily conducted outdoors for quick results and are commonly used to screen for alcohol intoxication. Blood tests are also practical.
What is The Most Accurate Drug Testing Method?
The most accurate drug testing method is a trick question. No drug test is 100 percent accurate, so the best drug testing method depends on your circumstances.
Saliva tests can determine current use of drugs and illicit substances, while urine tests require the drug to have been ingested hours before the screening. Blood tests can be inconvenient and invasive but are often less dependent on timing, while hair tests won’t prove effective until your hair has had time to grow.
What Shows Up On a Urine Drug Test?
To pass a drug test, you must prepare yourself for the most convenient and cost-effective screening method — the urine test. There are several urine drug screening kits out there; here are some of the best.
This test is so sensitive that it can easily detect the presence of drugs (or any of their metabolites) such as marijuana, cocaine, opiates, methamphetamine, amphetamines, PCP, benzodiazepine, barbiturates, methadone, tricyclic antidepressants, ecstasy, and oxycodone.
What Does a Positive Drug Test Show?
A positive drug test is bad news for you; either one or more illicit substances were found in your urine sample, or they were present in quantities above an FDA-established level.
If you test positive, you will require gas chromatography or mass spectrometry tests to prove drug use definitively.
Ultimate Guide On How To Pass A Drug Test.
Here it is, the moment you’ve been waiting for. Our How to Pass a Drug Test guide gives more insights on how to prepare for a drug screening.
1. Do An At-Home Drug Assessment.
If you’ve been using a particular drug or substance before your official drug testing day, run an at-home drug test before stepping into the hot seat.
Most of these at-home drug screening kits are sold by various distributors and will help you avoid any surprises on the day.
2. Use A Detox System.
If your at-home drug sample tests positive, then “Houston, we have a problem.” Your best defense against any urine drug testing is to get clean.
Many people try to adulterate their urine samples by consuming large amounts of apple cider vinegar, adding vinegar to the urine, or drinking incredible amounts of water before the test. However, most drug testing companies check the urine sample’s pH, temperature, and specific gravity, precisely to avoid this kind of tampering.
More effective detox systems include eating fiber-rich foods to accelerate your body’s absorption rate, consuming diuretics to increase the frequency of urination or elimination of the drug from the body, and eating herbs like red clover and burdock, etc.
It’s important to note that diuretics can be detected in urine, but most companies don’t screen for diuretics outside of athletics.
The use of diuretics allows you to rely on your body’s natural abilities to eliminate these substances. It is the most effective way to cleanse your system and pass a drug screen, with the obvious exception of abstinence.
3. Use The Schedule To Give It Time To Pass Through Your System.
Stick to your detox system’s schedule, particularly if you are tight on time before your official test date. This means exercising a lot and staying hydrated. Additionally, supplement your water intake with small amounts of vitamin B-12 to maintain the natural yellow color of your sample and dispel any suspicion by the sample collectors.
Different drugs and substances have different absorption and clearance/excretion rates. For instance, while it might only take marijuana one to three hours after consumption to give a positive urine drug test result, tricyclic antidepressants will require between eight to twelve hours to start appearing in your urine.
Additionally, while oxycodone is eliminated from the body in just two days, angel dust or PCP will require a lengthy seven to fourteen days.
Understanding the clearance schedule of the drug you’re using will help you prepare your detoxification plan ahead of time, making you more likely to pass your drug test.
4. Take Another At Home Drug Test To See If Negative.
Take the time to determine if your detox system worked its magic. Get yourself another at-home drug test kit and check a freshly collected sample of urine. If everything goes well, you should test negative, and your sample should look clean.
Before You Go...
Passing your upcoming drug test is possible if you have used recently. To pass your drug test, you will need to make a solid plan. Testing regularly and sticking to your detox schedule will ensure that you pass.
Reliability matters when it comes to at-home drug testing, especially when you have a lot at stake. If you’re unsure of how to select the best at-home drug test kit, we can help.