Almost everyone will be drug tested at some point in their lives. For many, it will be during a job interview. many employers are required by law to test potential employees for drugs and alcohol, and many other organizations also test their employees as a condition of employment. Military personnel is also regularly drug tested. Drug tests can also be required for students, athletes, and people who have been arrested or charged with a crime.
While there are many different types of drug tests, they all have one thing in common: they can be nerve-wracking and stressful. If you’re about to take a drug test, there are a few things you can do to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible. So, here are some of the most important things you must do to prepare for your drug test the right way:
Know Which Test You Are Taking
There are three main types of drug tests: urine, hair, and saliva. The most common type of drug test is a urine test, which can detect most drugs for up to four days after use. Hair tests are less common but can detect drug use for up to 90 days. Saliva tests are the least common but can detect drug use for up to 72 hours.
If you have the choice of which testing method to take, be sure to choose the one that is right for you. If you know you will be taking a urine test, don’t try to pass a hair test instead. Likewise, if you know you will be taking a mouth swab drug test, don’t try to pass a urine test instead. The different types of tests require different preparation methods, so it’s important to know which one you’re taking, and if possible, pick the least invasive test.
Avoid Drugs And Alcohol In The Days Leading Up To Your Test
This one should be obvious, but it’s worth repeating: if you want to pass your drug test, avoid using drugs and alcohol in the days leading up to your test. The amount of time that drugs and alcohol can be detected in your system depends on many factors, including how often you use them, how much you use them, and your metabolism. However, as a general rule of thumb, most drugs will be detectable in your system for at least a few days after use.
Alcohol is a bit different. While it can stay in your system for up to 90 days, it is only detectable in urine for up to 48 hours, and in hair for up to 90 days. So, if you’re taking a urine test, you should avoid alcohol for at least two days before your test. If you’re taking a hair test, you should avoid alcohol for at least three months before your test.
Drink Plenty Of Fluids
Drinking fluids is one of the most important things you can do to prepare for your drug test. Because drugs are metabolized and excreted in the urine, drinking fluids will help to flush them out of your system. Water is the best fluid to drink, but fruit juices and sports drinks can also be helpful. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they can dehydrate you. It will make you have to urinate more, but that’s actually a good thing. Urinating frequently will help to flush drugs out of your system.
If you’re taking a urine test, aim to drink eight glasses of water or other fluids in the hours leading up to your test. Also, keep in mind that you will need to take the first urine of the day for your test, so be sure to hydrate well the night before.
Avoid Home Remedies And Cleanses
There are many home remedies and cleanses out there that claim to help you pass a drug test. However, most of these things are urban legends and won’t do anything to help you. In fact, some of them can actually make you more likely to fail your test. So, avoid things like drinking vinegar or cranberry juice, taking niacin or goldenseal, or using detox drinks. It will also be tempting to try to dilute your urine by drinking lots of fluids, but this can actually backfire and make you more likely to fail.
The only thing that is effective for cleansing your system is time. So, if you have enough notice before your test, the best thing you can do is simply stop using drugs and alcohol and wait for them to naturally clear out of your system. Stick to that plan and don’t waste your time or money on unproven home remedies. Even if they did work, they would only be temporary fixes and wouldn’t address the underlying problem.
Get A Good Night’s Sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep is important for many reasons, and it can also help you pass your drug test. When you’re well-rested, your body is better able to detoxify itself and eliminate drugs from your system. So, aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep every night in the week leading up to your test.
In addition to getting enough sleep, you should also avoid activities that can lead to dehydration or make you sweat excessively. These things can make it harder for your body to get rid of drugs. So, avoid things like exercising, saunas, and hot baths on the days before your test. You may, however, want to take a shower just before your test to help you feel refreshed and awake.
Talk To Your Doctor
If you’re taking any prescription medications, it’s important to talk to your doctor before your drug test. Some medications can cause you to fail a drug test, even if you’re not using drugs. For example, certain antibiotics can cause false positives for amphetamines, and ibuprofen can cause false positives for marijuana. So, if you’re taking any prescription drugs, be sure to let the person administering your test know ahead of time. They may need to take special precautions or order a different test.
Even though drug tests can be stressful, there are things you can do to prepare for them. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of passing your test and avoid any unwanted surprises. Just remember to stop using drugs and alcohol as soon as you find out about your test, and to drink plenty of fluids in the days leading up to it. And if you’re taking any prescription medications, be sure to talk to your doctor before your test. With a little preparation, you can pass your drug test with flying colors.
