How to Prepare for a Drug Test: What You Need to Know
Hospitals, schools, and government agencies are some of the workplaces that require drug tests for employment. Many other employers require not only pre-employment drug tests but also random drug testing while you’re on the job.
If you’re starting a new job or subject to random testing in the workplace, do you know how to prepare for a drug test? Are you on probation and worried about passing a drug test? Do you smoke an occasional joint and you’re worried about failing the test?
Keep reading for information about taking and passing a drug test.
Screening Drug Test
A screening drug test in the workplace tests for illegal drug use. If you’re a pilot going for a drug test, the FAA follows strict guidelines. Many workplace drug tests follow similar guidelines.
Employers test for many substances, including:
- Marijuana – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
- Cocaine
- Opioids
- Opiates
- PCP
- Amphetamines
- MDMA (Ecstasy)
Although marijuana is legal in some states, it’s still a Schedule 1 drug federally. THC in your system results in a failed drug test.
Length of Time Drugs Stay in Your System
Most employers order a urine test for drug screening employees. Marijuana can test positive in a urine test for up to a month from when you last smoked or ate it. It takes longer for THC to clear the system of a habitual smoker than a casual consumer.
Factors such as an individual’s metabolism, size, and body fat all affect how long drugs stay in the system. A urine test detects opioids like oxycodone between 2-4 days after the last dose.
How to Prepare for a Drug Test
There are some things you can do to prepare for a drug test to increase the odds you’ll pass. If you find out you’re having a drug test soon, quit taking any intoxicants immediately.
Drink about 10-12 glasses of water per day. Be aware that on the day of your test, if your urine is too diluted, that’s a red flag. Drink water on the day of your test, but don’t overdo it.
Although there are plenty of stories about fooling a drug test by drinking cranberry juice, that’s only a myth. The only real way of positively passing a urine drug test is by not using drugs. Drinking plenty of fluids does help your system detox faster.
Exercise hard enough to sweat every day leading up to your test. Drink more fluids to account for the fluids lost through sweating.
Exercising burns fat and fat is where the body stores THC. Exercising can speed the metabolic process, ushering the drug through your body faster. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables also helps the metabolic process.
Passing a Drug Test
When it comes to how to prepare for a drug test, abstaining from drugs and alcohol is the best way. If it’s too late for that, stop taking any drugs or drinking alcohol immediately.
Drink lots of fluids leading up to the test date and exercise as much as possible. Refrain from exercising 24 hours before the test so you don’t release THC from the fat tissue in your body. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to help rid your body of toxins.
Do you want to order a urine test of your own? You can get one here.
