This is part two of my interview with John, who worked as a supervisor at a drug testing lab. You can read part one at Tips in Passing a Drug Test – Part I.
DEE: Yes, I am well aware, for sure. So can you tell me a little about what goes on behind closed doors in a testing lab? I think most people already know that they’ve got to make sure that their urine appears yellow when they’re diluting. But what are these other ‘elements’ you mentioned?
JOHN: Yes, the color of the urine specimen (or rather, the lack of it) is the first most obvious indication of a dilution attempt. And even though we’re discussing dilution here, I should probably add that even before that, the temperature of the specimen is recorded to rule out the possibility of substitution. But assuming that the specimen passes the temperature and color test, and that it tests negative for THC metabolites, then additional tests are run to measure its specific gravity (sometimes referred to as relative density). To put it simply, the density of normal, undiluted urine falls within a certain range. Diluted urine will have very little density to it. So if the measured density of the urine specimen is below the normal range reference, a lab will flag it as diluted urine.
As for the specific elements that are measured in a urine drug test, there is only one: creatinine. Not all labs measure this, but the lab that I worked for did and I would say that most do. And as I know you are aware, creatinine levels that are below the normal range are yet one more indication of a diluted urine sample, regardless of whether or not it passes all of the other phases of the test.
DEE: So besides the obvious stuff, are there any specific tips in passing a drug test that you can recommend to people?
JOHN: Well, I think that what you recommend in your book about diluting at home more than adequately addresses all the points I’ve already mentioned, but there are a couple of things that I’d like to elaborate on if I may. One of the most important tips in passing a drug test that you mention yourself is the use of a B-complex vitamin supplement to put some color back into one’s urine after diluting. But the specific B-vitamin that provides the yellow color is B-2, so that’s all a person really needs to buy. And I would actually recommend that people take a higher dose than you recommend, like perhaps 5X the recommended daily dose on the label, or about 50-100mg. I realize that you’re probably trying to be conservative when you tell people to take double the daily recommended dose, but for just one day it’s really quite safe to take the higher amount. And a higher dose will turn urine yellow much quicker, and will also help ensure that it’s still providing color if someone has a long wait at the lab.
The second point I’d like to mention is the use of aspirin. I was impressed that you didn’t claim that this was effective for passing a drug test, but I do think that in the next edition of your book it would be a good idea to leave out any mention of it at all. There is nothing in aspirin that would have any effect in passing a urine test, and its use can be quite dangerous to some individuals. Aspirin is a much more serious drug than many people realize, particularly when it’s taken on an empty stomach. It causes small bleeding in the lining of the stomach wall, which can cause serious complications. So, since it isn’t helpful for passing a drug test anyway, it should be avoided unless it’s clearly indicated for an inflammatory condition.
DEE: Point taken. I do caution people about using aspirin, but if you say it’s not even helpful then I definitely will remove that the next time I revise my e-book. Well, I think we can wrap up and I won’t take up any more of your time, unless there’s something you’d like to add.
JOHN: I think that’s about it. Except that I would just really like people to know that it’s possible to pass urine test if they dilute properly, and that they shouldn’t necessarily see a drug test as a death sentence to their career. You’re providing a great service to people, Dee. Good luck with getting your message out.
DEE: Thanks for the encouragement and pat on the back – it means a lot to me coming from you. And good luck to you too in your new job! Thank you VERY much for taking the time to do this interview with me, John.
JOHN: It’s been a pleasure.
Part one of this two-part interview is at Tips in Passing a Drug Test – Part I.
March 23rd, 2009 at 1:40 pm
sono stata chiamata dal mio datore di lavoro per un drug test e mi sono affidata ad un amico che non fumava però quando mi sono accorta che non bastava a riempire le provette ne ho fatto un pò della mia cosa succederà?
June 17th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Dee, I am a heavy smoker, until one month ago i smoked everyday. I have not smoked anything in a month and i have been drinking alot of water and green tea. I just want your honest opinion on whether or not you think ill pass a urine test in the next week. Also i am 5′7′ and 185 lbs
June 17th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Ryan,
To be honest, there’s just no way for me to know for sure because everyone’s metabolism is a little different. My best advice is to get some test strips from a pharmacy and just test yourself at home. Test yourself AT LEAST twice, at different times of the day, to rule out any errors. Then you’ll know for sure.
January 15th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
What is the answer to the question,Im in the same boat alittle
July 21st, 2009 at 3:31 pm
hey Dee
i just read about 50% or so of everything on your site and i found it to be very helpful. especially the fact that niacine and certo (eww) isn’t a sure way around things. So many stoner friends of mind think that Certo is Gods gift, but anyway, i have a question. I was told by a friends girlfriend that if you drink 4 or 5 Monster energy drinks you’ll be clean. Is there any truth to this? i used to smoke everyday but have cut back ALOT. i didn’t smoke for a week and then discovered there really is a chemical in weed called fuck it. so i smoked again for 3 days because there was a party and some friends were shipping out blah blah blah and haven’t smoked for 2 days now and thought if i drank 2 gallons of water everyday for 3 days then slamed back 4 of the giant cans of monster for 1day then another 3 days of drinking 2 gallons of water would do me fine. Do you think it will?
August 13th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
i found this to be the most helpful website i have found on the subject.
August 15th, 2009 at 1:41 am
Hi Dee,
Okay, so I’ve been researching all the methods of passing a drug test, for the last two months, every night, all night, freaking out, trying to make sure I pass my first drug test for my diversion. I’ve done so much research, and there are just a few questions that I have that no website, or blog has been able to answer completely. So I know that dilution works, and that it’s the best way to pass. I know that you need to take vitamin B-2 to make your urine appear yellow, but how are you supposed to pass the portion of the drug test in the labs that tests for lowered creatine levels, pH levels, and specific gravity? I know that some detox drinks offer creatine, and that you can buy creatine pills in a store, but does that work to defeat the adulteration tests? How do you fool the labs into not noticing that your pH levels are off, or how do you raise your specific gravity levels after diluting, so the labs won’t turn away your sample because its diluted. I know that my lab tests for all 3 of these things, I’m pretty sure i’m good with the creatine levels, possibly the pH as well, but I know from the 12 panel home tests, that my specific gravity level is VERY low when i’m diluting (which i believe will be noticed), so do you have any information on ways to raise these levels, in order to hide the dilution-method from the labs? Sorry this was so long, but I know that most labs test for these adulteration elements, and I can’t find any specific info on the web about solving these problems, so if you know any info on defeating the pH/specific gravity within the diluted urine, that would be awesome!
<3 Angie
p.s. – I really admire what you have done and what you are doing to help a lot of good people :)
September 14th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
drug test for weed~ have a day an a havy smoked today?
September 14th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
what can i do to past a urine test for all drugs have smoked weed today
September 14th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Bill,
Dilution will help you pass a drug test for weed, but I don’t know about other drugs. Most are out of your system in a few days anyway, but it just depends on the particular drug. Maybe if you’re more specific someone else might have some advice they can give you. Sorry I couldn’t help more.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
does green tea(antioxidants) help at all with diiution
October 12th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
stopable,
No, green tea/antioxidants don’t help with dilution. It’s not so much what you drink as it is *how much* you drink that makes the difference.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
i havent smoked about 4 months and i took a good hit of mary about a week ago whats the common basis on the length of stay in your system since i just took one good hit?
October 29th, 2009 at 12:04 am
BAM, you were probably clean within a couple of days. If you had to pass a drug test tomorrow, you could do it with no problem at all.
November 4th, 2009 at 11:19 am
i have been clean all year, but by mid october i started smoking a one hitter or two in the evening, nothing more, up until a week ago…had to take drug screening today….had checked myself with home tests and have been coming up negative for 3 days, but i thought i better dillute anyways…i drank a lot of water this morning and took b2, and last night and again this morning i had cranberry juice with a heaping teaspoon of creatine
took test 4 hours after start of water loading
b2 turned urine a bright yellow
5′11”, 207 lbs
i am nervous because i really need to pass this test because i have beeen unemployed all year and i really need this job…
i now feel foolish about dilluting, if i have passed 3 home tests in the last few days
should i relax or should i be legit worried?
November 11th, 2009 at 7:51 am
I haven’t smoked since Monday nite..have to take a oral test thurs morning…I smoke at least one a day. I don’t know if I am cool though.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
I have been a chronic smoker for years and have a test in a week and a half to two weeks. Aside from diluting the day of, what can I do over the next two weeks? Will either exercise or diet do anything to help?
November 12th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Steve,
Diet & exercise won’t hurt if you’re carrying a few extra pounds, but it won’t make a significant difference in just two weeks. The most important thing you should focus on is diluting. Do a trial run at home and test yourself before your actual test day, to make sure you’re doing it right.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:03 pm
so…if i drink my normal amount of coffee (2 pots,that makes me piss all day long) and down an extra gallon of water, would i be right to take my B complex and creatine on my way to a drug test?
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:04 pm
DEE, I have quite smoking for a week now and I have a drug test( oral swab) for a government job. What can I do to pass this test. I have seen a lot of stuff on the internet, detox stuff and what not. Are these products valid or a waste of money. Thanks Bro
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:27 pm
If you haven’t smoked for a week, you’ll pass a saliva test with no problem. They have a really short detection time. Buying a detox product for a saliva test is a waste of money anyway, I have yet to hear of one that actually works.
January 7th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Hey Dee,
Awesome site here!
I enjoy a quick one hitter at night in the regular- only the goods and always a tiny amount. A gram lasts weeks. Slightly above average metabolism and usually get good exercise. With proper dilution techniques, will I be in the clear?
Also do have any advice for the random testing folks out there. I could just stop for a planned test, but what about those ones they just throw at ya?
Thanks for the help! Best of luck and Happy New Year!
Tommy Woodland
January 11th, 2010 at 11:19 am
hey dee,
you say that dilution is the best way but how much water is too much water. because i heard that if it is too diluted the lab can fail you on the basis that your urine is basically just water. how much water should i drink before my test at 3 in teh afternoon??