You Can Easily Fail Your Drug Test And Not Be Guilty.
The False Positive Drug Test Is The Dirty Little Secret Of Drug Testing.
" About 5% Of People Fail Their Drug Test.
" These People Are Are Not Guilty.
" And They Must Prove Their Innocence.
" This Could Happen To You.
This is often caused by hundreds of products that are wrongly identified as illegal drugs or other drugs of concern. Common prescriptions, over the counter medications and even foods can cause you to falsely test positive.
The False Drug Test Is The Testers Dirty Little Secret.
This is the testers dirty little secret and there has been many a person who failed a drug test with no clue as to why and with little or no recourse to prove their innocence. If you fail due to a false positive result you must prove yourself innocent. The testers do not need to do anything. Some testers are very helpful and some are not.
How Common Is A False Drug Test?
Research has shown that urine drug tests generally produce a false positive test more than the other drug tests. There are over 1,000 labs in the United States currently testing for drugs. Studies have shown that less than a 100 of these meet federal standards and most states do not regulate these labs. Some of these labs are suspected of false drug tests as high as 25% of the drug test failures they see. There are also a greater number of urine and saliva drug tests that are given outside the testing labs by people not trained nor qualified. There is no information on the level of false drug tests in these conditions. One can only guess on this one, but it could be even higher.
Real World Example Of A False Positive Drug Test. Eating a poppy-seed cake or bagel can produce a false positive results for opiates according to a TV episode of "MythBusters". Most of the drug testing labs say it can not happen, but the MythBusters proved without a doubt it can. The poppy seeds can lead to false positive drug test for opium for several days.
A Real Scary Issue. A recent study showed only about 50% of the testers were aware that this issue with poppy-seed bagels could occur. Can you imagine explaining to the testers you did not use heroin, you just ate a bagel. Many testers will tell you a false positive drug test is very rare.
Why Are The Testers In Such Denial About The False Positive Drug Test? Because that would cause all drug test results to be called into question and drug testing is big business. Admitting the level of this problem would cost a bunch of people a bunch of money.
What Can Cause A False Positive Drug Test?
- Prescription Medications such as antibiotics like ampicillin and amoxicillin are prime examples. Quite a few prescription pain medications should be of concern.
- Over The Counter Medications such as night-time cold medications can cause a false positive test. This is particularly true of the liquid cold relievers as some contain members of the ephedrine family. Some common weight loss products are risky, as well as some nasal sprays and some over the counter asthma products.
- Foods can sometimes cause a false positive test as proven by the poppy-seed bagel and poppy-seed cake.
- Common Vitamins Supplements can cause a false positive test. Riboflavin (B2) can return a false positive test for THC. Many herbs that contain B vitamins should be of concern.
- Diseases such as diabetes, liver disease, and kidney infections may register as opiates.
- Ethnic Susceptibility - People with dark skin are particularly susceptible to a false positive drug test.
- Second Hand Use - Although this is less proven, second-hand use has to be considered for a false positive drug test. The testers again say it can not happen. We know what their word is worth.
This does not mean these medications, prescriptions or foods will always cause a false drug test. The actual false drug screening can not be anticipated nor should you rely on it as a strategy to pass while still using. The outcome is very specific to the individual and/or the situation.
Here are some of the more common sources of a false drug test:
- Pain relievers such as Advil, Uprin, Motrin.
- Menstrual cramp medications like Midol and Trendar.
- Ibuprofen is known to cause positive for Marijuana.
- Anti inflammatories such as Naproxyn.
- Dristan Nasal Spray, Neosynephren, Vicks Nasal Spray, Sudafed.
- Over the counter appetite suppressants which contain Propanolamine.
- Common nasal decongestants can cause a positive reading for Amphetamines.
- Vicks Formula 44M containing Dextromethorphan and Primatene-M containing Perylamine.
- Demerol, and prescription anti-depressant Elavil test positive for Opiates up to three days.
- Quinine water can also cause a positive reading for Opiates.
- Poppy Seeds represent a potentially serious source of falsely positive results in testing Opiate abuse.
- Nyquil Nighttime Cold Medicine will test positive for Methadone up to two days.
- Amoxicillin has caused positives for Cocaine.
- Diazepam tests positive for PCP.
Most companies are sympathetic and will allow you to retest, particularly if you have a reasonable story and are sincere. Present to the testers and prescriptions or medications you might be taking and do your research s to what might have caused the false positive drug screening.
Always emphasize your innocence and the fact you do not know why you have failed. Be honest, concerned and DO NOT mention the possibility of a false positive drug screening at this point.
You must then start your research on why you have failed and make the commitment to see your innocence to the end. Your confidence can make the difference.
If you are given a second chance to take the drug screening you might want to consider the following factors and actions. This is the time for action if you are to get through this. If you understand these factors and actions you will be ahead of most of the people giving the drug screenings. This is the edge you could really use.
- Let the testers know you are not guilty and request to be tested again.
- Do not let them retest you right then and expect a different result. You need to make sure the retest is at a future date.
- You need time to identify why you failed. Do your research and know why you failed.
- Write down all medications and prescriptions you have been taking over the past few months. Keep the packages and makes sure to provide this information to the testers when you take your retest.
- Make plans for a new test and start a detoxification process as soon as possible whether you need to or not. t is better to be prepared for the retest and not get it then to get the retest and not be prepared. Being prepared is always a good strategy.
- Identify and obtain the detoxification product appropriate for the test you will face.
- Watch the food you eat. Avoid High fat foods, greasy foods (particularly butters, cream sauces, and fried foods) and junk foods slow the detoxification process.
- Stay away from anything that remotely could cause a problem.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages, smoking or any unnecessary medications or vitamins.
- Stay out of toxic environments.
- Consume (4) 16 oz. glasses of water each day. Drink and sip on them all day long and not all at once. Exercise up to the day of your retest, but not the day of your test.
