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How to Pass a Pre-Employment Drug Test: Top Tips and Strategies

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If you are worried that you will not be able to pass an employment drug test, you should click here to learn how to pass a pre-employment drug test.

After months of filling out applications, writing cover letters, and getting the inevitable email that the “position has been filled” you’ve finally landed a job. 

You’re thrilled with the salary, your coworkers, and the details of the position itself. There’s just one problem: your future employer has asked you to pass a drug test. Though you stay away from the serious stuff, the truth is that you use cannabis to help you relax, spark your creativity, or perhaps even for pain management

Or, perhaps you’ve been prescribed benzodiazepines and other prescription medications. You use these medications responsibly — but you’re concerned that the fact they’ll show up on a drug test will force you to reveal things about your mental/physical health you’d much rather keep to yourself. 

The good news is that you have options. 

Read on to learn how to pass a pre-employment drug test. 

What Jobs Drug Test?

Close to 60% of employers drug test either their future or their current employees. 

Though private employers aren’t legally required to drug test their employees, most do anyway. The reason isn’t necessarily because they don’t want to hire people who are on serious medication or who use marijuana recreationally. 

Instead, drug tests are usually conducted in order to help employers avoid liability issues and to keep everyone in their workplace safe. 

Some of the most common industries that drug test include:

  • Aviation
  • Education
  • Government positions
  • Childcare facilities 
  • Legal work
  • Finance/banking
  • Psychology/Psychiatry
  • Transportation
  • Security
  • Medical
  • Corrections officers

What Do Drug Tests Look for?

If you want to know how to pass a drug test, you also need to understand the kinds of drugs that your employer will likely test for. 

Be aware that some jobs may even test for alcohol consumption in addition to drugs (usually these are positions in sober environments like rehab centers or religious environments.) 

Usually, the tests will look for: 

  • THC (cannabis/hash)
  • Cocaine
  • Amphetamines (meth, ecstasy, etc.) 
  • Opiates (heroin, morphine, codeine)
  • Phencyclidine (PCP)

All of the above substances are listed in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services guidelines. So, if your employer is following their suggestions, you can be certain you’ll receive the above drug test panel. 

Additionally, some companies may test for all of the above in addition to: 

  • Benzodiazepines (Klonopin, Valium, Xanax, etc.)
  • Barbiturates
  • Methaqualone 
  • Methadone
  • MDMA
  • Hydrocodone
  • Inhalants
  • Hallucinogens

There are many different ways future employees can be tested for the above drugs. 

Some companies may collect a urine sample, while others may use saliva, hair follicles, or even blood tests. 

If You’re Prescribed Certain Medications

We understand that it can be especially scary to think about passing pre-employment drug test screenings when you’ve been legally prescribed your medication by a doctor, and don’t abuse it in any way. 

The good news is that you will usually be given the opportunity to speak with your employer or the person administering the drug test beforehand. You can explain that certain positives will show up in your test because you take medication for your health. 

You can even provide them with the number of your doctor or psychiatrist, and bring the prescription pill bottle with you to the test itself. 

How to Pass a Pre-Employment Drug Test

There are many different ways that you can learn how to pass a pre-employment drug test. 

Let’s take a look at your options in detail below. 

1. Stop Using

The most obvious and effective solution is for you to stop using well before your start date, or even before you begin to apply for other jobs.  Heres a list of top 7 best detox shampoos for drug testing.

Make sure you know how long certain drugs stay in your system to give yourself enough time. 

For example, marijuana can take about a week to leave your system if you’re a casual user, but up to a month if you use it frequently. 

Methamphetamine usually takes 3 days to leave the system, while barbiturates will take up to 3 weeks.  Heroin and cocain take 3 days, benzodiazepines take 4, and alcohol takes about 48 hours. 

2. Try a Detox Drink

Especially if you have a drug test much sooner than you expected, you can try a detox drink. 

These are meant to be taken the same day of your drug test, and will quickly clear your system — but only for up to six hours. 

However, these drug detox drinks will only help those who are being tested with a urine sample. If you’re having hair follicle testing done, you’ll need to bring in the big guns. 

3. Cleanse Your Hair

If you know your employer conducts hair follicle tests, your best bet is what’s called the Macujo Method. 

It’s a complex process that involves washing your hair with white vinegar, detergent, shampoo with salicylic acid, and other ingredients. It can be intense, but it works.

This article does an excellent job with breaking down the exact steps you’ll need to follow for the Macujo Method. 

You’re Ready to Pass Your Drug Test

If you follow the advice in this post and understand the kinds of drugs your employer will test you for, learning how to pass a pre-employment drug test is possible. 

But what if you want to stop using altogether, but can’t? 

Our blog will help you to find the addiction treatment help you need. Read our posts for advice about how to ask for help, what you should look for in a rehab center, and even what to expect when you enter detox. 

You are stronger than your addiction. Don’t let it rob you of the opportunities you deserve. 

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