Many people lose their jobs, freedoms, child custody, or are barred from competing in athletics because of positive drug test results. Although the tests are not 100 percent precise, employers, schools and universities continue to use them to measure the quality of their workers and students. For a variety of reasons, these tests can give “false positive” results: even if a person has never used narcotics or other illegal substances. While there are many products on the market that are used to detoxify and cleanse the body--for those of you who are worried about getting a positive test result--they are unfortunately unreliable and quite expensive. However, there are some things you can proactively do to reduce the chances of a positive result on your drug test. This article will help you avoid “false positive” results and also provide information on how to reduce your chances of getting a true positive result.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Avoiding False Positive Results on Drug Tests
Step 1. Study the test you are about to take
There are many types of drug tests, so you need to be specific about the type of test you will be taking. Unfortunately, drug tests are not 100 percent accurate and can give false positive results for a variety of reasons.
If you are an athlete, you may be tested for substances that may be legal, but which have been banned for use in athletic competitions
Step 2. Be aware of certain over-the-counter medications and vitamins -- including foods -- that can trigger false positive results
Ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin) often causes false positive results for marijuana tests, this has been resolved and is no longer a problem. However, there are still a number of foods, drugs, vitamins and supplements that cause false positive results on drug tests.
- One teaspoon of poppy seed is enough to cause a false-positive result for an opium test. This size is smaller than the number of poppy seeds used in one bagel.
- Many over-the-counter sports supplements are prohibited from being used in athletic competitions. If you are an athlete, discuss your supplement options with a Coach.
Step 3. Do some research on the limitations of the test you are about to take
Find out how the test will be carried out, and more specifically, try to find out which foods, vitamins, medications and supplements have been known to trigger false positive test results. The more you know about the specifics of the test you are about to take, the easier it will be for you to avoid a false positive test result.
- Doctors' prescriptions for antidepressants, such as Zoloft, can also lead to false-positive test results.
- Athletes should familiarize themselves with the knowledge of substances that have been prohibited from being used during the race. Guidelines on substances prohibited during the race can be found here.
Step 4. Avoid the substance that causes a false positive test result
This could mean skipping your poppy seed bagel breakfast, or avoiding any over-the-counter medications that could affect your test results. It is easier to prevent a false positive test result than to object to a false positive result.
Athletes should be aware that certain types of substances have been banned for use during competitions, but are permitted during practice
Step 5. Record everything you consume
When you take a drug test, you will be asked to complete a list of foods, vitamins, medications or other supplements that you have taken. This will help distinguish a false positive from a true positive result, and can be the difference between being fired from your job or not.
Athletes who test positive for banned substances--regardless of legality--can face punishment
Step 6. Drink plenty of water
Increasing your fluid intake will help flush out substances that can cause a false-positive test result (such as poppy seeds), so be sure to increase your fluid intake at least 24-hours before your scheduled test.
Step 7. Submit a clean urine sample
You will need to submit the cleanest urine to avoid false positive results, so make sure you don't submit the first urine of the day as a sample.
Drink as much water as you can afford an hour or two before the test
Method 2 of 3: Objecting to a False Positive Test Result
Step 1. Learn the different categories of drug tests
Employers may conduct a drug test before a worker is recruited (pre-employment); once a year; if there is any suspicion; after certain events occur; or randomly. Your right to object depends largely on “when” the test was conducted.
Step 2. Learn and know your rights
The area where you live when the drug test is taken can make your rights drastically different. For example, random drug tests in California are not considered legally valid because of their discriminatory nature. Nevertheless, the pre-employment test is completely legally valid.
- Your employer may cancel your employment contract, or block your promotion to a positive test result.
- Depending on your location, states may deny unemployment benefits, work compensation and disability benefits.
Step 3. Discuss with the Human Resources Department
This is the first step to objecting to your test results. Human Resources Department can inform about each retest procedure; and can provide the necessary documents to carry out the retest.
Step 4. File a complaint with the employer on your test results
Provide all relevant documents, including the medical form you filled out before taking the test. The process for the objection will greatly affect your employment status.
- Record everything you consume.
- The recipe you use.
Step 5. File an objection against the laboratory
As discussed above, false positive results can be triggered by home foods, vitamins, over-the-counter medications and exercise supplements. However, false positive results can also be caused by human error and can form the basis for a retest.
- Chaos can occur in the laboratory that performs the test.
- Laboratories may not operate according to Government standards.
- The test method may be out of date.
- The sample being tested may have been contaminated.
Step 6. Contact an employment attorney
If you believe that your test results are flawed, or that your rights have been violated during the testing process, you should contact an employment attorney in your area. He or she will understand local laws and regulations regarding drug testing, and can guide you through any legal action you may need.
Method 3 of 3: Reducing the Chances of False Positive Test Results
Step 1. Know how a drug test works
Drug tests are intended to determine the composition of certain chemicals in the blood, urine or saliva that are suspected to have a relationship with the drug substance. Each test is unique and designed to map to a specific type of drug or a combination of drugs. For example, a laboratory marijuana test will look specifically for the chemical THC.
- The more chemical residues you can remove from your system, the better your chances of avoiding a positive test result.
- The length of time a drug remains in your body depends largely on the drug itself.
- Detoxifications and solvents are claimed to wash your system of chemicals that trigger positive results, but because drug tests are constantly evolving and evolving--by looking for different chemical compositions in the body--these products remain unreliable.
Step 2. Identify any drugs that may be in your system and examine how long each type lasts
Knowing how long one type of drug can last in your body is very important to reduce the chances of a positive test result.
- Cannabis can stay in your body for up to eight weeks, stored in your fat and hair cells.
- Cocaine, usually passes from the body within four days. Identify any type of drug you may have taken in the last 6 months.
Step 3. Abstain from using drugs
The best way to pass a drug test is to give the body enough time to get rid of it completely. However, this can only happen if you abstain from using drugs and give your body enough time to get rid of the substance.
Step 4. Postpone the test if possible
Do what you can to reschedule or avoid taking the test for as long as possible. While this may be difficult to do, it can be your only (legal) chance of avoiding a positive test result.
Step 5. Understand that cheating on a drug test can be against the law
While detoxing and using solvents is not illegal, there are other methods and products on the market that are illegal. These products include:
- The chemical, which is sold legally in small bottles, is added to the urine sample at the time of the test. It is not illegal to possess or purchase these chemicals, but adding them to your urine during an examination may violate local or state laws.
- Penis prosthetics are currently available and are designed not only to store a clean urine sample, but also to deceive the examiner.
- Urine that is not your own.
