False Positive Drug Tests
A false positive drug test is just that – a test that indicates (mistakenly) a drug in the young adult’s system. Recently, I had a first with a client. Instead of reacting, I needed to educate myself. I learned that it is not a common situation, hence why in eight years as a consultant I’ve encountered this once. This article will cover how it happens, followed by how best to respond when this happens.
Some ways that a drug test would show up as a false positive include foods and drinks, medications, secondhand smoke, and lab errors. To get even more specific, here is a non-exhaustive list that could cause a false positive drug test:
Poppy or Hemp Seeds
Cocoa Tea
Pizza
Tonic Water
Cough Syrups
Ibuprofen
Muscle Relaxants
Some Antibiotics
Some Antidepressants
Being in closed quarters with someone smoking cannabis
If you are a young adult and this happens to you, here’s how to best respond:
Communicate, don’t react. If you get defensive and dysregulate, it will make those testing you believe this is in-fact a positive drug test. If you believe the test is inaccurate, speak with the team.
Be transparent. If you forgot to share medications or supplements, you’re on, or any foods of drinks you’ve had, you need to share that immediately.
Request another test/retest and comply without hesitation. What they do next to confirm what was a false positive or not, you will need to follow their instructions.
Your actions speak louder than your words. What you do after this scare will prove your integrity to your sobriety and it truly being a false positive drug test.
This is entirely a “trust, yet verify” kind of situation. Anyone that works in addiction treatment understands that manipulation can be the name of the game if the young adult is not committed to their recovery. We don’t want to assume it truly is a positive drug test when sobriety is built on a foundation of trust and connection. That said, if your gut says that something is fishy… I’d say trust your gut. And if it happens several times, I think you can anticipate that someone may be trying to game the system.
For questions or comments contact Joanna.
