Major Facts About Urine Drug Test

urine drug test

In 1988, Ronald Reagan passed a law requiring every employee and contractor in the U.S. to be tested for drugs and alcohol. Since then, drug testing has become a common prerequisite for hiring new employees as more and more employers trust test results as effective indicators of an individual’s morals and productivity.

Surprisingly, there hasn’t been any proof of reduced drug use since Reagan’s order. More than half of Americans claim to have tried marijuana, and an approximated 280 million people all over the world consume illegal drugs.

Although identifying drug users in the workplace comes at a high cost and its effectiveness in maintaining efficiency among workers has not been supported with data, drug testing is here to stay. Individuals now often ask: how can drug users, whether for medication or recreation, pass drug tests? We’re here to help you understand one of the most common methods, urine testing, and how you can prepare for it.

What is a urine drug test?

A urine drug test is a painless method of detecting the presence of illegal drugs and alcohol in a person’s system.  Also known as cup-peeing, the test involves providing examiners a sample of midstream urine on a plastic cup.

How can a urine test detect drugs?

Drugs weaken our immune system. This is what technicians examine when executing the immunoassay, the most common type of urine screening. An immunoassay allows an examiner to measure the body’s ability to produce antigen-antibody complexes – the internal army in our bodies that counter foreign substances that lead to sickness. A person with an abnormally incapable immune system will produce results below a cutoff point, translating into a positive screen.

In the occurrence that you get a false result, the second type of test called gas chromatography should be available. This is a far more complex and time-consuming procedure that involves injecting part of a urine sample into a machine capable of separating components and substances in a liquid. A data analyzer attached to the machine then draws a chart showing amounts of different chemicals in the sample. This procedure can detect alcohol, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, marijuana, cocaine, and narcotics accurately.

In some cases, fake urine does work when you use some high-quality fake urine brands and the test will be passed.

Preparing for a urinalysis

The first and most important thing to remember before going through a urine test is the fact that all drugs, including illicit, medication, and supplements, can affect the results of a urinalysis. You may try a drug test simulation pack at home to check if the prescribed dosages of certain medications you are taking have any effect. Otherwise, make it a point to let your doctor know about vitamins or medicines you are taking before proceeding with the test.

It is also essential to hydrate yourself well before heading to the clinic. If you are allowed to collect a urine sample at home, it is recommended to take the sample first thing in the morning, as your urine is more concentrated at this time.

At the clinic, you will be given a container to put your urine sample in. Make sure the container is clean and clear of any signs of tampering. Before urinating, cleanse your urinary opening with a gentle piece of cloth or a clean wipe. Ensure accurate results by passing the container midstream and filling up about ¾ of the cup.