Work Related Drug Testing FAQ's

[Bryan Hildebrand]

OK, now that this question has come up at least twice a week for say, oh, I don't know.... the past 6 months, I thought I would put everything you need to know about what your employer more than likely tests for, clearance times for these drugs and what they won't test for. well, unless you are working for the Secret Service or KGB.

Your standard run of the mill drug test that nearly every major fortune 500 company, every state DOT, most companies that require you use or access a company vehicle or equipment will look for these simple and obvious drugs:

* Amphetamines (including Methamphetamine, "Crystal Meth")
* Cannabinoids (THC, Marijuana)
* Cocaine
* Opiates (Codeine, Morphine, Heroin, Oxycodone, Vicodin, etc.)
* Phencyclidine (PCP)

Also, obviously thy will also test for ETOH or more commonly referred to as Alocohol. these tests can be and are usually done with a simple urine sample. some will use a more convenient and more accurate "Cheek Swab" where the person collecting the sample swabs the inside of your cheek with a sterile cotton swab and sends it off for analysis. most home drug testing kits use this version because it is not considered a "Biohazard" by the U.S. Postal Service thus your postman won't get pee'd on when your mom or dad forgets to tighten the cap.

Below is the most widely accepted standard for drug clearance times:


Substance: Urine / Hair / Blood / Oral Fluid
Alcohol 6–24 hours / up to 90 days / 12–24 hours
Amphetamines (except meth) 1 to 3 days / up to 90 days / 12 hours
Methamphetamine 3 to 5 days / up to 90 / days 1–3 days
MDMA (Ecstasy) 24 hours / up to 90 days / 25 hours
Barbiturates (except phenobarbital) 1 day / up to 90 days / 1 to 2 days
Phenobarbital 2 to 3 weeks / up to 90 days / 4 to 7 days
Benzodiazepines Therapeutic use: up to 7 days. Chronic use 4 to 6 weeks / up to 90 days / 6 to 48 hours
Cannabis 3 to 7 days, up to >30 days after heavy use / and/or in users with high body fat / up to 90 days 2–3 days, up to 2 weeks in heavy users
Cocaine 2 to 5 days with exceptions for certain kidney disorders / up to 90 days / 2 to 5 days
Codeine 2 to 3 days
Cotinine (a break-down product of nicotine) 2 to 4 days / up to 90 days / 2 to 4 days
Morphine 2 to 4 days / up to 90 days / 1 – 3 days
Heroin 3 to 4 days / up to 90 days / 1– 2 days
LSD 24 to 72 hours / up to 3 days / 0 to 3 hours
Methadone 3 days / up to 97 days / 24 hours
PCP 3 to 7 days for single use; up to 30 days in chronic users / up to 90 days / 1 to 3 days


Now, unless you are going to work for a Law Enforcement Agency of some sort or for the US or International Olympic Committee, STEROIDS WILL NEVER EVER BE TESTED FOR IN THE FORESEABLE FUTURE. neither will HGH, IGF1 or any of it's derivitives. Clenbuterol, though it has CNS stimulant properties, is not a type of amphetamine.

1. There is no reason.
2. The testing is far to expensive for Billy Bob's Refridgerated Liquid Chicken
Fat Trucking Company to need to test for it. and trust me, half of these companies have no desire to test... it's their insurers that require it.

However, there is a possibility now that if you are taking enough ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, you could have a "false" positive for amphetamines. Tell whoever is administering the test that you have taken "X" cold medicine within however many hours or days and that it contains ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. most lab equipment is sophisticated enough to discern betwen the above mentioned and real amphetamines, but not always.

Please feel free to ask any questions.

[supbro!]

Very informative post. Also, ketamine and ghb are not tested for.

[Bryan Hildebrand]

you are correct.

Ketamine: Urine - 6 days
GHB: Urine - < 12 hours

[Bowser1]

so what about military piss test bro? just the basic one, do they test for gear or anything in that one? i have herd they dont its just for pot and meth , things of that nature, but still wasnt sure.

[Bryan Hildebrand]

military enlistment is basic 5 drugs plus alcohol.

[kratos47]

cool post bro. very intresting

[Ninja Loco]

Once again..... for those that read but dont read, or for those that might have missed it.


unless you are going to work for a Law Enforcement Agency of some sort or for the US or International Olympic Committee, STEROIDS WILL NEVER EVER BE TESTED FOR IN THE FORESEABLE FUTURE. neither will HGH, IGF1 or any of it's derivitives.

[Bowser1]

oh no not enlistment but just regular random urine test! and im sorry im a noob at this man but what are basic 5 drugs??? they wont flip if my test level is high? sorry to ask what might be dumb questions but hey u never know until u ask.

ok i got ya on the basic 5 drugs thing, and i dont know if ninja's thing is directed at me but, law enforcment gets tested so its a safe bet the usaf would be on the look out. just cya. (covering your ass)

[Ninja Loco]

dont know if ninja's thing is directed at me ,

Not at all bro, just in general. Some people get a little exited, some just glance, and some just have to ask again. It's human nature cause this is a big thing.



Oh and BTW, we should also mention that creatine will not cause anyone to fail a drug test. I know that by this day and age that question is rudamentary but i still get it at least once a week at the gym.

[Bowser1]

its all good Bro, lol just this is the only real place i can come to get advice, they say the only true friend of a user is another one, hell im a natty but im alredy so big that when i pop "random" uranalisis the guys and clinic always joke about roids to me. hell i've been putting off going from natty to chemically enhanced for basically that reason(and to allow myself time to see if i wana really try it)

[Bryan Hildebrand]

the military isnt going to be testing anytime soon. for any reason or circumstance. it serves no purpose. dont ask dont tell!

[Ninja Loco]

its all good Bro, lol just this is the only real place i can come to get advice, they say the only true friend of a user is another one, hell im a natty but im alredy so big that when i pop "random" uranalisis the guys and clinic always joke about roids to me. hell i've been putting off going from natty to chemically enhanced for basically that reason(and to allow myself time to see if i wana really try it)

Word. And you're right, the only true friend is another. We here in chem understand that even on a bodybuilding board we're "alone", so we look after one another.

I'll tell ya, I got both cops and military in my gym juicing. They have for years. I know this because Im the one they come to for cycle advice. As Attila said, neither test for it - nor will they in the forseable future. Its too expensive, it has to be specific, and it currently serves them no purpose. Im not nudging you into trying it (come to the dark side bro, we have cookies) just tryin to ease your mind.

[Bryan Hildebrand]

stop telling the newB's about the cookies. i'm out and only have fig newtons...

[Ninja Loco]

Im coming over.

[coaltrain]

Mods should make this thread a sticky.