How to Prepare for an Employment-Mandated Drug Test
Drug testing is one of the most common workplace policies that employers implement. For a candidate or employee, failing a drug test can mean losing their job and may even cause financial problems for the family.
Pre-employment drug tests and those conducted under reasonable suspicion require a very tight time window to be effective. However, other types of drug testing, such as periodic tests and random selection, have different windows.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
In the wake of the fentanyl epidemic, heroin overdoses, and methamphetamine use that is devastating small towns across America, employers may feel pressure to create and enforce drug-testing policies. Depending on how they are implemented, these testing policies can be beneficial and problematic.
Abstaining from drugs and alcohol is the most important way to prepare for a test. Drug tests can pick up on traces even if you’ve only tried something once, so it is crucial to stop taking any substances.
Urine testing is the most common method for pre-employment and random drug screenings. These tests are typically administered in a private bathroom where someone will stand outside the door to collect the sample. Saliva and hair tests can be more effective at detecting long-term usage but can also be difficult to administer due to privacy concerns.
Employers are not legally prohibited from testing employees and applicants for drugs, though some states and industries have regulations that prohibit this practice. If you fail an employment-mandated drug testing, you may face disciplinary action from your employer, including termination. However, if you believe the result was inaccurate, there are some things you can do to appeal or challenge the results.
Only Eat a Little Junk Food
In addition to abstaining from drug use before the test, it’s important to avoid junk food and alcohol. These foods can leave traces of chemicals in your urine that could throw off your test results.
A urine test is employers’ most common test to screen job applicants and employees. In this type of test, the candidate is escorted to a bathroom where they can provide a sample. The sample is then sent to a lab for testing. The results are usually available within one to three days.
Some companies have blanket testing policies, where all employees are tested simultaneously. This type of testing is announced after the test, so it’s impossible to prepare by abstaining from drugs before the test. The best way to prepare for a blanket test is to drink lots of water, especially on the test day. This will help flush your system of toxins. It’s also a good idea to bring a list of your prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications to the test.
Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking plenty of water is essential if you’re about to take a drug test as part of the employment process. This will help to flush your system of any toxins and can also assist with keeping your urine sample as concentrated as possible. Be sure to follow specific instructions on the collection kit you’re provided regarding when and how much water to drink.
In addition to drinking water, you should also avoid eating fatty foods in the days following your drug test. This will slow your metabolism, allowing your body to reabsorb any THC or other drugs that have entered your bloodstream. Additionally, avoiding seafood is a good idea because some fish can contain heavy metals like arsenic and lead, which could produce a false positive result on a drug test. Lastly, be on time for your drug testing appointment. Many drug testing facilities operate on a first-come, first-served basis and will only hold your spot for a short time if you arrive late.
Don’t Smoke
Some companies conduct pre-employment drug tests as part of their hiring process.
Urine drug tests are most common for pre-employment screenings. These tests can detect most illicit drugs used within a few days of usage. Cocaine, however, can remain in the urine for up to three days.
To help pass a drug test, you should not smoke tobacco or drink alcohol at least 24 hours before taking it. In addition, you should empty your bladder before taking the test. Tampering with a drug sample is against the law, and you could be fired if caught.
Exercise
Some industries require drug screening for all employees, such as hospitals, schools, and government agencies. In addition, some employers conduct for-cause or reasonable suspicion drug tests on current employees based on direct observations of apparent impairment or other evidence, such as missing work due to impaired performance or a property damage claim.
Employers can administer various types of drug screens, but urinalysis is the most common method used in the workplace. A urinalysis test screens for the presence of illegal drugs or alcohol by looking at a sample of an employee’s urine. The results of a urinalysis test typically take one to three days and are made available to both the employer and the candidate or employee.
Many states have laws about workplace drug testing, and companies need to understand these laws. Generally, an employment-drug-testing policy must explain what types of drug tests will be conducted, when they will be conducted, and the consequences for failing or refusing to take the test. It should also include information about providing help and support to those who voluntarily seek treatment for substance use disorders.
