Ever been drug tested?

[the Talking Can]

Just found out, to my surprise, that a new job requires a drug test (city job...not a cop/fireman/etc..don't worry).

I don't regularly smoke. But I do when it is available, i.e. at a party. So, of course, after not having smoked for months, I smoked each of the last two weekends (very small amounts, toked off a bowl).

I have a test in 2 weeks.

There is an avalanche of bogus info on the web about a) the duration of various toxins in your body and b) the effectiveness of various $$$ detox/flush/masking agents.

Anyone have solid, medically grounded info or experience (as tester or testee) that can confirm or deny my basic conclusions?

1. For non-chronic(frequency, not quality!) marijuana users - "acute" users - marijuana will reduce below testing thresholds in 3-14 days. Huge variations based on age, weight, metabolism, amount and quality of weed smoked, frequency etc...Chronic users can be detectable for up to and over 30 days.

2. Whatever it is they test for in weed is stored in your fat, which is why it is detectable longer than cocaine, heroin, acid, etc.

3. Weed is detectable in your hair for up to 90 days, but hair tests are rarer and more expensive. This will most likely be some type of urine test.

4. All you can really do is: work out, sweat, increase your metabolism; drink lots of water the day before to flush the system; pee a lot; drink vinegar...if you can stand it.

5. It seems most of the detox drinks and pills are scams. They are intended to mask the presence of the weed for a period of 1-5 hrs, by taking several pills and drinking an ass-load of water prior to testing.

I'm actually not that concerned, as it seems that you have to be a regular smoker to need more than 5-10 days. But, of course, I won't be completely relaxed until it is over.

I'm not going to spend money on detox systems. Exercise, water, pee. Anybody try anything different? Any advice?


If you care, this article has the latest on studies about toxin retention, written for the National Drug Court Institute

(hey, I need to know...)

[SPchief]

Antifreeze? This place has lost it's burst.

[MadMax]

Only had 2 tests in my life. The 1st in the Army and the weed I smoked the week before was so bad it didn't register lol. Then after I got out of the Army and thought I might be hot didn't show up so I got the job...Go figure. I don't smoke much these days and damn sure don't pay for it so I guess I grew up?? or maybe not

[SLAG]

I have Passed Multiple Urine Tests for Employment, by just taking in some Clean Pee with you, I once Paid a 12 yr Old Kid $5 to Pee in a Rubber Glove for me.. worked well

Im not proud of my antics but they worked

On the other hand I have not poked Smot in about 3 Months so Im doing pretty good on that front

[1ChiefsDan]

The problem is that THC stays in the system a lot longer than most drugs. On the average it is 75 days. There are lots of variables, but a couple of weeks will most likely show on a drug test. Much better off doing coke - only about 2 weeks.

Best advice - don't do drugs. Most companies now have pre-employment drug tests and random tests.

[KcMizzou]

Originally Posted by denverdanchiefsfan

The problem is that THC stays in the system a lot longer than most drugs. On the average it is 75 days. There are lots of variables, but a couple of weeks will most likely show on a drug test. Much better off doing coke - only about 2 weeks.

Best advice - don't do drugs. Most companies now have pre-employment drug tests and random tests.

But if you do... do coke. It's a hell of a drug!

[SLAG]

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

But if you do... do coke. It's a hell of a drug!

and its water soluble, and it gets out of your system in about 3 days

but its HELLA addicting

[SPchief]

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

But if you do... do coke. It's a hell of a drug!

Until the next day

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by denverdanchiefsfan

The problem is that THC stays in the system a lot longer than most drugs. On the average it is 75 days. There are lots of variables, but a couple of weeks will most likely show on a drug test. Much better off doing coke - only about 2 weeks.

Best advice - don't do drugs. Most companies now have pre-employment drug tests and random tests.

read the article I linked too...the issue isn't how long it stays in your body, it is how long it stays at a level detectable by the test...based on the levels used by the standard urine tests, the averages are much lower than the numbers you've mentioned...

[the Talking Can]

here's the gist:

Based upon recent scientific evidence, at the 50 ng/mL cutoff concentration for the detection of cannabinoids in urine (using the currently available laboratory-based screening methods) it would be unlikely for an individual to produce a positive urine drug test result for longer than 10 days after the last smoking episode. Although there are no scientific cannabinoid elimination studies on chronic users using non-instrumented testing devices, one would assume that if the on-site devices are properly calibrated at the 50 ng/mL cutoff level the detection guidance would be the same.

At the 20 ng/mL cutoff concentration for the detection of cannabinoids in urine (using the currently available laboratory-based screening methods) it would be uncommon for an individual to produce a positive urine drug test result longer than 21 days after the last smoking episode.

For occasional marijuana use (or single event usage), at the 50 ng/mL cutoff level, it would be unusual for the detection of cannabinoids in urine to extend beyond 3-4 days following the smoking episode (using the currently available laboratory-based screening methods or the currently available on-site THC detection devices). At the 20 ng/mL cutoff for cannabinoids, positive urine drug test results for the single event marijuana use would not be expected to be longer than 7 days.

[1ChiefsDan]

[QUOTE=the Talking Bong]read the article I linked too...the issue isn't how long it stays in your body, it is how long it stays at a level detectable by the test...based on the levels used by the standard urine tests, the averages are much lower than the numbers you've mentioned...[/QAUOTE]
Articles are great - and no - I did not read your link. I work with the drug testing program for my company and have had a lot of training as it deals with several different DOT applications.


Good luck with the test. Hopefully you will pass and get the job. I just hope it isn't a safety sensitive position where drugs really create a problem.

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by SLAG

I have Passed Multiple Urine Tests for Employment, by just taking in some Clean Pee with you, I once Paid a 12 yr Old Kid $5 to Pee in a Rubber Glove for me.. worked well

Im not proud of my antics but they worked

On the other hand I have not poked Smot in about 3 Months so Im doing pretty good on that front

What would the pope have to say about THC???

[SLAG]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

What would the pope have to say about THC???

Hence my Non- Use of the drug

From the CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church):

The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others' safety on the road, at sea, or in the air.


The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense. Clandestine production of and trafficking in drugs are scandalous practices. They constitute direct co-operation in evil, since they encourage people to practices gravely contrary to the moral law.

[L.A. Chieffan]

Originally Posted by SLAG

Hence my Non- Use of the drug

From the CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church):

What if you just want to trip out on some HD National Geographic?

[the Talking Can]

[QUOTE=denverdanchiefsfan]

Originally Posted by the Talking Bong

read the article I linked too...the issue isn't how long it stays in your body, it is how long it stays at a level detectable by the test...based on the levels used by the standard urine tests, the averages are much lower than the numbers you've mentioned...[/QAUOTE]
Articles are great - and no - I did not read your link. I work with the drug testing program for my company and have had a lot of training as it deals with several different DOT applications.


Good luck with the test. Hopefully you will pass and get the job. I just hope it isn't a safety sensitive position where drugs really create a problem.

it's a research article for Drug Courts, but anyways, I addressed your last point in my first sentence....I work in the least safety-sensitive job imaginable, short of coffee taster...there is no earthly reason to test us...

[SLAG]

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

What if you just want to trip out on some HD National Geographic?

Sounds good to me!