What Can Cause A False Positive Drug Test?

What Can Cause A False Positive Drug Test? There has always been much disagreement between drug test manufacturers, companies providing drug tests and the public that must take drug tests as to the validity of false positive drug test.

• The Drug Test Manufacturers.  The manufacturers suggest publicly that a false positive drug test is a rare occurrence and is almost never caused by their products.  However, if you dig hard enough, they all seem to have peer only publications called “Cross Reaction Guides“.  These Cross reaction guides list medications that can cause either non-reaction (have no effect) or are reactive (you fail) to specific drugs, medications, vitamins, herbs or foods.  As an example, if you take Dristan Cold Caplets, which some “Cross Reactive Guides” say is reactive to a drug test, you could test positive for drug use.
• The Companies Providing The Drug Testing.  The testing companies say that their procedures leave very little chance of a false positive drug test.  Using the above example, you just failed for drug use even though you take the very legal and common Dristan Cold Caplets.  You have now failed because of a false positive for s drug.  Both the drug test manufacturers and the people giving the test say the chances of a false positive for a drug they did not use is almost impossible.  Therefore, you must prove yourself innocent.  The testers do not need to do anything.  Some testers are very helpful and some are not.  You must handle your false positive drug test situation carefully to turn it around.
• The Public.  We are stuck with proving our innocence.  We know it can happen.  We have just experienced a false positive drug test.  There are real world examples which prove beyond a shadow of a doubt false positives happen.  Do an internet search of drug testing manufacturers and drug testing companies.  They all say emphatically one cannot fail a drug test for Opiates by just eating a few Poppy Seed Bagels or some Poppy Seed Bread.  They say it cannot happen. 
• The TV Show “MythBusters” Proved Them All Wrong.  The TV Show “MythBusters” took them to task by testing scientifically if this was true or not.  The proof is in the show.  MythBusters proved You Can Fail A Drug Test For Opiates By Eating Poppy Seed Products.  Another example of a false positive drug test for a drug is the U.S Library Of Medicine generated an article entitled “One Hundred False-Positive Drug Specimens“.  This example clearly shows that a false positive drug test in not a person’s only worry.
• How Do You Beat The System?  If you fail a drug test and should you choose (we will not condone this action), you could identify the drug you failed for (as an example Adderall).  Could purchase Dristan Cold Caplets (A possible cross reactant on some drug tests as Adderall) and tell the testers you were taking this medication and maybe took too much. You could let them conclude that the Dristan Cold Caplets might have caused the failure and let you slide.  Again, we cannot recommend this.  You are on your own if you choose this avenue.

• Please Note:  A false positive drug test for any specific sample does not necessarily cause a false positive reaction every time, nor with every drug test.  There are many variables that need to be taken into consideration.

What Is A False Positive Drug Test?

What Is A False Positive Drug Test?  The definition of a false positive drug test is when you fail a drug test and have not used the drug you tested positive for on that drug test. This “False Positive” is caused by caused by hundreds of products that are wrongly identified as illegal drugs or other drugs of concern.  Common prescriptions, over the counter medications, herbs, vitamins or even foods can cause you a false positive drug test.

About 5 – 10% Of All People Fail Their Test, Are Not Guilty And Must Then Prove Their Innocence.  WebMD.com says between 5 – 10% of people will fail due to a false positive drug test. 

This Is The Industries Dirty Little Secret.  There has been many a person who failed a drug test with no clue as to why and with little or no recourse to prove their innocence.  If you fail due to a false positive drug test result you must prove yourself innocent.  The testers do not need to do anything.  Some testers are very helpful and some are not.  You must handle your false positive drug test situation carefully to turn it around.

Yes, This Is Real.  This Data Comes From The Industries Own Internal Documentations.  Always Test Clean has assembled the most comprehensive list of what can cause a false positive drug test.  Based upon the testers own internal documents which they call “Cross-Reactivity Guides”.  NOTE:  The products that can cause a false positive drug test do not necessarily cause one every time, nor with every drug test.  There are many variables that need to be taken into consideration.

How To Dispute A False Positive Drug Test

Your First Step Is To Frankly Talk To Your Employer.  Act very surprised you have failed.  Do not be overly aggressive.  Many drug testing companies and programs have a medical officer or someone else designated to speak to employees about drug testing results.  Find out who you should speak to and schedule an appointment right away.  Bring all of the medications and supplements you are currently taking.  Be prepared to give details about dosages and amounts.

Something You Have Taken May Be A Known False Positive Trigger.  Particularly if your employer has contracted with an experienced laboratory.  There should be an easy way to find out whether your drug test result can be traced to specific drugs, medications, vitamins, herbs or foods that could be considered a cross reactive.

The Test Might Not Have Been Administered Correctly. There is a good possibility there was a mistake on the first test.  You might want to quickly ask for a second test to be administered or even a different kind of drug test be administered.  A common drug testing protocol is to divide the test sample into two portions, testing one immediately and saving the other for a retest, in case of a contested positive result.  In this case, simply ask for a retest of your sample.  This can be problematic and you might want to ask for a completely new test be administered.

When It Is Time To Seek Legal Advice.  If your employer for some reason doesn’t believe your explanation of the positive result and your retest comes up positive again, it’s time to talk to an experienced employment lawyer about the best way to protect your rights.  Always Test Clean provides the information to identify Legal Advice With Drug Testing Experience in your area. 

Drug Testing Rules Vary From State To State.  Some states have adopted required appeal or testing procedures for employers who test for drugs. Always Test Clean provides comprehensive information on “What Is A False Positive Drug Test?“.

The Single Key To Pass Your Drug Test

First And Foremost You Must Identify Which Drug Test You Will Face.Each drug test has its own unique strengths you must avoid and unique weaknesses in which you can take advantage.
Now – Choose The Drug Test You Will Face

The Secrets No One Else Will Tell You

There Is So Much Bad Information Out There.  Urban legends never seem to die.  Things that were accurate years ago are no longer valid.  Passing your drug test is to important to rely on outdated information.
Rely On The Information You Can Trust

How Common Are False Positives?

Drugs.com says that the false positive drug test statistics show that Previous Data Suggests 5 to 10 percent Of All Drug Tests May Result In False Positives.

What Can Cause A False Positive On A Drug Test

• This Chart Of Medications And Drugs Represent What Can Cause A False Positive.
• This Chart DOES NOT Represent What These Drugs And Medications Will Show Up As On A Drug Test. 

Customer Questions And Drug Testing Facts

We Have Answers To The Questions You Do Not Even Know To Ask.  In 20 years, we have heard it all.  Trust the experts and not the rumors and myths.

Over the last 20 years, Always Test Clean has been Expertly Answering Questions on drug tests from people just like you.  Below, we have published some of the most common questions on “How Long Drugs Will Stay In Your System“, as well as how to how to flush drugs out of your system quickly and without detection.

We Are The Experts You Can Trust.  The definition of an expert is someone having special skills or knowledge derived from training or experience.  In our 20 years in business, we have sold 125,000 products to over 100,000 customers.  During this period many competitors have come and gone.  We are still here and helping people, just like you, on their journey to successful detoxification for a drug test. 

Have A Question, Give Our Experts A Try.

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Dennis

Author at Always Test Clean

This Author Has Been Providing Advice On How To Pass Drug Tests For 40 Years.
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Last Updated On February 14, 2020