Q: What makes you fail a urine drug test?
A: You will fail a urine drug test if the laboratory detects the presence of a specific drug or its metabolites (breakdown products) above a predetermined cutoff level. This indicates recent use of a prohibited substance. Failing can also occur due to issues with the specimen itself, such as tampering, substitution, or dilution.
Q: What substances are most commonly tested for?
A: Standard urine drug screens, like the SAMHSA 5 panel test, typically check for:
- THC (marijuana, cannabis)
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines (including methamphetamine)
- Opioids (such as codeine, morphine, heroin)
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
Q: Can prescription medications cause a failed test?
A: Yes. Many prescription drugs are chemically similar to illegal substances and can trigger a positive result. Common examples include:
- Amphetamine prescriptions (Adderall, Vyvanse) for ADHD.
- Opioid pain medications (hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine).
- Benzodiazepines (diazepam, alprazolam) for anxiety.
- It is crucial to disclose all prescription and over the counter medications you are taking to the testing agency or medical review officer (MRO) before the test. The MRO will contact you to verify a legitimate prescription before reporting a positive result.
Q: What other factors can lead to a failed result?
Q: What other factors can lead to a failed result?
A: Beyond drug use, a test can be reported as failed due to:
- Specimen Tampering: Attempting to alter the urine sample by adding water, bleach, or other substances to mask drug presence.
- Specimen Substitution: Using someone else’s urine or a synthetic urine product.
- Specimen Dilution: Drinking excessive amounts of water before the test to dilute the concentration of drugs in your urine. Labs check for abnormal creatinine and specific gravity levels, and a diluted sample may be rejected, requiring a retest.
- Adulteration: Adding chemical adulterants to the sample to disrupt the laboratory’s testing process.
Q: What happens after a positive drug test?
A: The process typically involves:
- Laboratory Confirmation: An initial positive screen is always confirmed with a more precise test (like GC/MS) to rule out false positives.
- Medical Review Officer (MRO) Review: A licensed physician (the MRO) reviews the confirmed result. They will contact you to discuss any possible legitimate medical explanations, such as a prescription.
- Final Result: Only after the MRO verifies there is no legitimate medical reason for the positive finding is the result reported as “positive” to the employer or requesting agency.
Q: How can you ensure a valid test result?
A:
- Disclose all medications to the testing facility or MRO in advance.
- Follow all collection procedures carefully.
- Do not attempt to tamper with or adulterate the sample in any way.