How Do I Pass a Drug Test?
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What follows is a breakdown of the most commonly asked questions
about drug testing, from 'How Do I Pass a Drug Test' to the reasons
why you may be tested for drugs in the first place. If there's something
we haven't included then feel free to contact
us.
How do I pass a drug test?
The best way to pass a drug test is abstinence, for the simple reason
that if you haven't been using drugs you can't possibly fail a drug
test. After all, drugs only remain detectable for so long, beyond
which time (providing you haven't used again) you should pass the
drug test with no difficulty.
To see how long drugs remain detectable, please visit the drug
detection times page or alternatively, try our Virtual
Drug Test . If you're still uncertain as to whether you're likely
to pass a drug test, then why not use one of our drug
testing kits and find out? This will give you an accurate and
dependable result within minutes.
Will I be tested for drugs?
Individuals are most commonly drug tested in the course of their
employment but also for competitive sport, health or life insurance,
parole, probation and occasionally, children by their parents or
school.
This is an extract from literature promoting the use of drug testing
for employees:
Annual medical - identifies current users who may receive assistance
and/or disciplinary action.
Post-accident - testing employees that are involved in an accident,
or who show a pattern of unsafe practices. This will help determine
if drugs and/or alcohol use is a factor, and protects the overall
safety of the workplace.
Pre-employment - reduces the chance of hiring someone
who is currently using drugs; offer employment only after a negative
drug
test.
Pre-promotion - avoids offering promotions to drug users by
testing prior to promotion within the organisation.
Random testing - unpredictable and random testing is commonly
used in safety and security sensitive professions. By using
random testing,
companies discourage use and are able to refer those positively
tested for disciplinary action, or assist them in obtaining
treatment.
Reasonable suspicion - testing employees who show obvious
signs
of
being unfit for duty, or who have documented patterns
of unsafe work behaviour. This protects the safety and well being
of the
employee and other co-workers. Also provides an opportunity
for rehabilitation.
Treatment follow-up - periodically test employees
who return to work after completion of a drug or alcohol rehabilitation
programme. This encourages employees to remain drug free.
What drugs do they test for?
Laboratories test for traces of each individual drug such as cannabis,
ecstasy, amphetamine, LSD, cocaine and heroin. Sometimes they extend
this to include prescription drugs like sedatives and anti-depressants.
What if they test my blood or something else?
Urine is most commonly tested because it is the main excretory route
for drugs and their metabolites. Furthermore, the drugs remain detectable
for much longer and asking for a urine sample is less intrusive than
a blood sample. Although drugs can be detected in saliva and perspiration,
the detection time is much shorter than urine and laboratories tend
not to use these tests for this reason. Finally, hair testing is
uncommon because it is expensive and in any case often requires a
urine test for confirmation. There have also been concerns voiced
regarding the use of hair testing, as some people believe it discriminates
against people with darker skin. The reason being that the pigment
melanin is similar in chemical structure to THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol,
the active component in cannabis). For further information
on the tests performed, visit the types
of test page.
How long do drugs remain detectable?
It varies from person to person according to age, gender, metabolism
and general state of health; also the analytical method, the type
of drug, the quantity and frequency of its use influence the detection
time. Unfortunately, one of the most popular recreational drugs
- cannabis - remains detectable for the longest period of time,
more than 30 days in some users. If you are concerned about whether
or not you will pass a drug test, then why not try our Virtual
Drug Test which involves a few brief questions regarding usage
before giving a result followed by some useful suggestions to make
sure you pass that drug test. Alternatively, visit the detection
times page.
What should I expect from a test?
You will be expected to sign a consent form, saying that you allow
the sample to be taken and tested. The paperwork will also establish
a "chain of custody". You may be asked to declare any medication
you have taken recently, to ensure this does not interfere with the
test. You may be asked to undress and wear a surgical gown - this
is to prevent you from bringing in either a sample from somebody
else or a substance to adulterate your own sample. The Medical Review
Officer will take the sample's temperature and check its freshness
to ensure it has just been passed. Occasionally you will be directly
observed urinating to prevent any attempt at interfering with the
sample.
Where can I find out more about drug testing?
Although we have attempted to answer the most commonly asked questions
about testing, we realise that some people may want further information.
We therefore suggest the following titles, all of which are linked
directly to the corresponding page on the Amazon.co.uk site:
Pass
the test: an employee guide to drug testing - B.A. Potter
Steal
this Urine Test - A. Hoffman
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