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During the course of a person’s life, there may be times when they’re required to take a drug test. Before this occurs, it’s important to know how to get ready for one. These tests can detect the presence of drugs in your system, and if you fail there could be repercussions. In this article, we’ll be discussing drug tests more fully, and how to prepare for them in advance.

What Is A Drug Test And What Are They Used For?

A drug test is a scientific analysis of a sample of your body tissue, fluids, or hair to determine the presence of specific drugs.

Drug tests are usually requested by employers as part of the pre-employment screening process or e.g. for jobs involving operating heavy machinery. In some cases, drug tests may be ordered by a court as part of a custody battle or after a DUI arrest.

Research Detox Products Online

The best advice is to avoid drug use altogether and give your body time to detox naturally. There are also products available that claim to mask the drugs in your system or cleanse it, although they’re not always reliable.

If you’re pursuing these products it’s wise to do online research, and read the reviews. If you click here you can see that people choose from single-day cleanses to 5 or 10-day detoxification programs. Folks want to find the best product for their toxicity level and weight and to buy from established industry leaders. 

Review The Other Detox Options

If you’ve been using drugs heavily, it’s advised that you consult a medical professional to assist with your detox. Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your test and avoid diuretics such as caffeine and alcohol which can dehydrate you.

Exercise can also help to remove toxins from your system (but don’t become dehydrated). Urinating frequently will help to flush some of the drugs from your system but this will also lower the concentration of urine (which could be flagged as suspicious by the testing facility). You can also drink cranberry juice which is a natural diuretic and will help to flush your system.

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Understand Urine Tests

Blood and hair follicle tests are sometimes used, but they’re less common than urine tests.

It’s important to drink plenty of fluids in the days leading up to the test. Second, avoid using any drugs for at least 48 hours beforehand. Finally, if you have used any drugs within the past week, it’s important to tell the person administering the test so they can take this into account when interpreting the results.

Know What Types Of Drugs Can Be Detected

Here is a list of some of the different drugs that can be detected by these tests:

  • Amphetamines
  • Barbiturates
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Cocaine
  • Marijuana
  • Opiates
  • Phencyclidine (PCP)

Some drugs are detectable for only a short period after use, while others can be detected long after you’ve used them.

Study Your Prescription Medications

It may be that you’re taking prescription medications that contain drugs that could be detected in a drug test. If that’s the case it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if the medication will cause a false positive on a drug test.

Some common over-the-counter medications that can cause false positives include certain allergy medications, cold medicines, and diet pills. If you’re concerned about a false positive, you can ask for a confirmatory test.

Be Prepared To Explain Any Positive Results

A positive drug test result doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re a drug user. Some common causes of false positives include certain foods (like poppy seeds), over-the-counter medications (like ibuprofen), and prescription medications (like certain antibiotics).

If you take a confirmatory test and it comes back positive, the next step is usually to meet with a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP).

Know What To Do If You Fail

The consequences of failing a drug test may depend on your company’s policies and the severity of the infraction. In some cases, you may simply be asked to retake the test. In others, you may be fired from your job or lose custody of your children. It’s important to know your rights and the policies of any organization before taking a drug test.

You now more fully understand drugs tests and how to prepare for them. By taking the right actions and doing plenty of research beforehand you can be best placed for what is to follow. These tests exist for a purpose, so it’s important to be wise over your lifestyle and to take all the necessary steps.

Carol
Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.