Even though many states have legalized the use of CBD, Delta-8, and marijuana (both recreationally and medicinally), some employers still enforce drug tests in the workplace. This can be especially frustrating for those who use CBD and THC to help cope with anxiety, stress, depression, sleep disorders, and many others.
In this guide, we’ll discuss how to pass a drug test by outlining the types of drug tests, what methods to avoid, and answer some frequently asked questions about drug tests. Let’s take a look now at the most commonly used types of drug tests.
Types of Drug Tests
Three main drug tests are commonly used in the industry: urine, hair follicle, and mouth swab tests. Each test has different degrees of intensity and success, meaning some will be easier to pass than others.
Urine Drug Tests
Urine drug tests are the most common and are used to test for the presence of THC metabolites. Urine drug tests are conducted by having the individual urinate in a private restroom and collect their sample.
You’ve undoubtedly heard of extreme cases where people have smuggled in “clean urine” from non-drug-using individuals and submitted it as their own. To combat this, sometimes, a same-gendered nurse will accompany you into the bathroom to confirm that the urine is indeed your own.
You will usually be required to give at least 45 milliliters of urine to be tested. The urine’s temperature will also be recorded to confirm it came from your body when it was received.
Unfortunately, these types of drug tests can deliver a false positive (even if no drugs were used) and a false negative (when drugs were used but did not show up). If you suspect a test came back incorrectly, you can request a second test to confirm the results.
Urine tests will only test the presence of drugs used within the last few days. If you need to know how to pass a urine drug test, you should consider detox kits/beverages, drink plenty of water, and refrain from using any THC products until you’ve passed your drug test.
Hair Follicle Drug Tests
This type of test is much harder to pass, as it will test for any drug use in the past 90 days. About 100-120 hair follicles will be selected from different parts of your head and are removed with scissors. They can also choose hair from other parts of your body, like leg and arm hair.
These follicles are then sent out to a lab to determine the presence of THC metabolites. Washing, drying, or styling your hair will not affect the results of this test, making it nearly impossible to tamper with. The test results will be available anywhere from 24-72 hours, so it may be a nerve-wracking experience to await these results.
This particular test is conducted to view a pattern of drug tests, but since everyone’s hair grows at different rates, the test cannot pinpoint precisely when the drug was consumed. A hair follicle test is most likely conducted for potential employees, whereas urine tests will be conducted for current employees.
Mouth Swab Drug Tests
Mouth swabs are becoming more common, often replacing urine drug tests due to how easy they are to administer. The saliva is swabbed using a collection stick with a sponge on the other end, making it the least invasive drug test.
The test itself only takes a few minutes, and you are advised not to eat or drink anything 10 minutes before taking the test. Since the swab is done in full view of the person collecting the sample, it is nearly impossible to tamper with.
Mouth swab tests are popular with both employers and police, as they are quick, painless, and can detect the presence of several drugs consumed within the last 30 minutes. Some kits can show results in just a few minutes, while others will be sent to a lab for more precise detection.
The accuracy of these tests is astonishing, delivering a 98% accuracy rate. However, this accuracy depends on the type of test administered, either lab or instant. Instant tests aren’t as accurate as lab testing but can help determine whether a person is under the influence.
For employment, urine and blood tests have higher accuracy, but the tampering element is pretty much non-existent, making them an attractive choice for employers.
Perspiration/Sweat Patch Drug Tests
While a sweat patch test is usually used in court cases for greater accuracy, your employer can choose to implement these as well. Sweat patches can detect any drugs used within the last 2 weeks but are targeting the past five days.
One interesting thing about this type of test is that a urine test is not needed unless the patch tests positive for drug use. There is also a higher chance of accuracy, as these types of tests almost never have false negatives. These types of tests are difficult to tamper with, as once the patch is applied, it is unable to be removed or altered.
Lastly, sweat patches can actually pinpoint the parent drug instead of just the THC metabolites. Since most tests can only detect the metabolites, sweat patches are a huge improvement to the common types of drug tests.
Blood Drug Tests
Just like the sweat patch, blood tests can detect the type of parent drug as well as the THC metabolites. Blood drug tests are also able to detect the drug used in a short period of time, usually minutes or hours, making them prime options for law enforcement and suspicious employers.
It’s a bit of an uncomfortable test, as you have to get your finger pricked by medical professionals to administer the test. However, this is one of the most accurate drug tests since the contaminants can be detected very quickly. This is one of the most expensive tests, but can give false positives. If you need to take the test for insurance or employment reasons, keep in mind that other tests may be more accurate.
Various Substances and the Drug Tests They Show Up On
How do you know if the substance you’ve recently consumed will show up on a drug test? Well, various substances have different detection windows, and it’s wise to know what you’re up against. Here’s the skinny on several common substances.
Magic Mushrooms
Psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, isn’t commonly included in standard drug tests due to its rapid elimination from the body. Typically, psilocybin can be detected in urine for up to 24 hours after use. However, advanced tests like hair follicle tests can potentially detect it for up to 90 days. Keep in mind that the frequency of use and individual metabolism play a significant role in how long it remains detectable.
Cocaine
Cocaine is a fast-acting stimulant that can be detected in urine tests for 1-4 days after use. For chronic users, this window might extend up to a week. Hair follicle tests can detect cocaine for a much longer duration, typically up to 90 days. Blood tests and saliva tests have a shorter detection window, usually up to 2 days. Cocaine metabolites are what these tests are looking for, which linger longer than the drug itself.
Cannabis
THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, has a varied detection window based on usage frequency. In urine, it can be detected anywhere from 3 days for occasional users to 30 days or more for regular users. Hair follicle tests can detect THC for up to 90 days. Saliva tests usually detect cannabis for about 24 hours, but this can extend to 72 hours with heavier use. Blood tests typically have a short detection window, usually up to 36 hours.
LSD
LSD, a potent hallucinogen, is not commonly tested for in standard drug screening due to its low usage rates and the difficulty of detecting it. However, specialized tests can detect LSD in urine for up to 1-3 days after use. In hair follicles, LSD can potentially be detected for up to 90 days. LSD is rapidly metabolized, making detection in blood tests challenging, often within 6-12 hours after use.
Molly (MDMA)
MDMA, commonly known as molly, can be detected in urine tests for 1-3 days after use, but this can extend up to five days in heavy users. Hair follicle tests can detect MDMA for up to 90 days. Saliva tests have a shorter detection window, usually around 24-48 hours. Blood tests for MDMA are less common and have a very short detection window, typically up to 1-2 days.
Ketamine
Ketamine can be detected in urine for 2-4 days after use, with chronic use potentially extending this window. Hair follicle tests can detect ketamine for up to 90 days. Saliva and blood tests for ketamine are less common but generally have a detection window of up to 24 hours post-use. Like other substances, the detection window can vary based on metabolism, body mass, age, hydration level, and other personal health factors.
How to Pass a Drug Test Naturally
If you know you have an upcoming drug test or will be required to take a drug test in the next 90 days, it’s best to allow your body to pass a drug test naturally. THC metabolites will stay in your body for various amounts of time, depending on several factors.
How often you consume THC is a significant factor, as it will remain in your system longer with constant use. Your height, weight, and BMI are also important factors, especially since everyone’s body reacts and processes THC differently. The potency of the THC type is also important, as the product you use can remain in your system for quite a while, depending on how often you use it. If you’re attempting to pass a drug test naturally, you should abstain from any THC products (weed, delta-8, or CBD) for at least 90 days.
Avoid Dangerous At-Home Remedies
If you discover that you’ll be required to take a drug test in the immediate future, you may be tempted to resort to extreme measures. This panic and urgency can cause you to consider dangerous homemade remedies to pass a drug test, such as drinking copious amounts of Certo, water, bleach, soap, eye drops, and other toxins.
The harm you do from consuming these chemicals can be life-threatening and are in no way encouraged or recommended. Instead of scrambling around your house trying to find some product or method to pass your drug test, take a deep breath, relax, and check out some of the more effective methods of how to pass a drug test for weed and other drugs.
Best Detox Products to Pass a Drug Test
While there is no sure way to rid your body of the drugs you fear may show up on a test, there are some detox kits that can offer peace of mind. Remember that while these detox kits are meant to help you flush out some toxins, they are not guaranteed. A detox kit should be used as directed by the kit and should not be tampered with before use. Check out these detox kits that we recommend to help you pass a drug test fast.
Detox Kits
There are two kits we’ve found on PassYourTest.com that offer a 5-day and a 10-day cleansing kit. These kits may help you understand how to pass a drug test in a week. Both of these kits are intended to flush toxins in your body that build up over time but can be used in preparation for a drug test as well. As an added bonus, you may lose some weight as the toxins leave your body in the form of waste. The site goes into great detail on using the kit but does warn that you should avoid all toxins (weed and THC products included) before you begin your cleanse.
Detox Drinks
If you’re curious to learn how to pass a drug test in 24 hours, you need the same-day cleanser. Some people prefer to use these detox drinks for a drug test the same day, as the clean results last for six hours and only take 90 minutes to begin working. Again, you should refrain from any toxin (weed and THC products) before you consume the drinks. There are many reviews that praise these products, but keep in mind not all results will be the same. You should only use these kits as a last resort.
Hair Test Kits
If you have a hair follicle test, you might be panicking because detox kits and drinks won’t work on your hair. That’s why PassYourTest.com offers the Folli-Clean Shampoo that can help cleanse your hair of unwanted toxins in as little as an hour. If you need to clean ALL the hair on your body, the Total Body Cleanse (Extreme & Ultimate) comes with a shampoo and cleanser to scrub all your head and body hair.
You’ll need to avoid any form of marijuana and THC before starting the cleanse and follow the instructions in the included booklet. There weren’t any reviews on these products, so you’ll need to keep in mind that hair follicles are difficult to cleanse and that you may not experience the desired results if you’re a long-term THC user.
Drug Test FAQ
You may still have some questions about how to pass your drug tests. We’ll briefly go over some frequently asked questions here.
Do Edibles Show Up in Drug Tests?
Edibles will undoubtedly show up in drug tests, as your body must process the THC in the edibles as your body digests them. Since your body must digest the edibles (rather than having the THC absorbed directly into the bloodstream via the lungs), the THC metabolites from edibles can remain in your body much longer than if you were to smoke.
Can You Fail a Drug Test from Smoking One Joint?
While it depends on how soon after smoking you take your drug test, It is possible to fail your drug test from smoking just one joint. Drug tests test for the presence of THC metabolites, which will be present in your body within hours after smoking or consuming any form of marijuana.
Can Poppy Seeds Make You Fail a Drug Test?
You may have heard that poppy seed bagels can put you at risk of failing your drug tests, and poppy seeds, indeed, are where we derive codeine and morphine. But you’d need to eat an enormous amount of poppy seeds to affect your test. Raw poppy seeds are inedible, and the poppy seeds in baked goods are often so highly processed that there is not much chance you’d fail.
Can You Fail a Drug Test from Second-Hand Smoke?
Unless you’re incredibly close to the one who is smoking and inhaling the secondhand smoke in an unventilated room, there is no risk of you failing a urine drug test from secondhand smoke. Hair tests are tricky with this subject, especially if you share hats or pillowcases with a heavy smoker. It is best to avoid this if you have an upcoming hair test.
How Long Does a Drug Test Take?
Taking a drug test is not a lengthy process; it’s the wait time that takes the most time. If you’re waiting to take a drug test, you should plan for at least 2-3 hours. The actual drug test takes about 5-10 minutes, but most tests require someone to monitor you as you take the test. This can be time-consuming, especially if you’re in a room full of applicants.
How Long Does it Take to Get Your Drug Test Results?
Depending on the type of test you take, you should expect to get your results back within a week. Urine and blood tests take about 1-5 days, while hair follicle tests take anywhere from 4-10 days.
What Happens if You Fail a Drug Test?
If you’re required to take a drug test by your employer or potential employer, a failed drug test could be very detrimental. You could be denied the job, be demoted, and possibly even fired. Since drug tests are randomly conducted, there’s no way to know when you’ll be forced to submit a test. If you value your job or are actively seeking employment, it is highly encouraged to refrain from taking anything with THC.
Which Foods or Herbs Can Cause a False Positive?
There are a scant few foods and herbs that can cause you to have a false positive. We mentioned poppy seeds earlier, but you’ll need to consume massive quantities of raw poppy seeds to be worried. Another element that’s known to trigger drug tests is quinine; a drug often cut with heroin. Low amounts of quinine are found in tonic water, but you shouldn’t be worried about failing because you drink this beverage. Lastly, anything with a hemp base can cause you to fail. This includes broad and full-spectrum CBD, even though there will be less than 0.3% THC in these products.
How to Dispute a False Positive Drug Test?
If you feel that your drug test results are inaccurate, you should first and foremost speak to your employer or someone from the drug testing program who is authorized to discuss your results with you. You can go over any medication and supplements you are taking to see if any of those might be a trigger. You can also request to retake the drug test, as many drug testing companies save a portion for a potential retest request. Lastly, if your employer refuses to allow a retest, you should seek counsel from an employment lawyer to ensure your rights are protected.
How Accurate Are Home Drug Tests Compared to Lab Tests?
Lab tests are done with extreme precision and are often time-consuming, taking several days to confirm the results, compared to a simple home drug test with results within a few minutes. Lab tests are also overseen by professionals, including highly educated scientists, government officials, and certified organizations like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Your home drug tests should be considered a crude tool that can give you an idea if you’ll pass or fail.
