Drug Testing

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Mar 28, 2004

Typically, THC is fat-soluble, meaning it can remain in the body for some time after smoking marijuana....even up to 30 days! How fast you get rid of it depends on a lot of things, number one being how fast you metabolize substances. There are no "quick fixes", so don't fall for the claims some people make for megadoses of niacin or whatever.......just drink lots of water and flush out your system, and for God's sake, don't smoke any more pot!!

Lest you think I'm just another old fogey, let me tell you, I'm an ex-hippie who smoked the stuff until I was 32. I still don't think it's as bad as alcohol or hard drugs, and I still don't think it's any business of an employer what employees do on their own time. But I don't make the laws, and a cheap high is NOT worth jeopardizing your future. Grow up and be a responsible adult so you don't HAVE to worry about taking a drug test.

JMHO. :)

BabyRN2Be · Mar 28, 2004

If you are working for a hospital, you have a really good chance of being drug tested, even for entry-level type positions. Yes, the THC can stay in your body for 30 days. I don't know how long you can put them off, but try to do that and don't smoke anything! You might consider going to a minor emergency room/urgent care center - a place you can go where they do drug testing anonymously. Find out if you still test positive for THC.

Just don't smoke, OK?

sjoe · Mar 29, 2004

mjlrn writes: "Typically, THC is fat-soluble, meaning it can remain in the body for some time after smoking marijuana....even up to 30 days! How fast you get rid of it depends on a lot of things, number one being how fast you metabolize substances."

AND, if you lose weight at any time, even years later, the marijuana contained therein can show up positive on a test. (One more reason NOT to go on a diet.)

guest22304 · Mar 29, 2004

By a couple of hits, I assume you mean 5 or 6 max off a regular sized joint. I'd say you're ok unless they call you in the next 5 days. Drink a lot of water. Don't kill yourself over it. Just don't do it anymore. If you test positive and don't get the job, you just live and learn. :nono: hee hee

Agnus · Mar 29, 2004

30 days.

However if you run across a place that does hair testing shave your head because even if the last hit was last year it will still be there. Hair does not give it up it stays in it forever. Unless you cut off that part of the hair where it exist.

In hair they can tell not only you are a user but how long ago by where it show up in the hair.

Wether it is a safe substance or not is beside the point here. Some feel it is "not as bad as" certain other even legal substances. Anyone testing you does not care about this. If you are positive you are positive.

Anniekins · Mar 30, 2004

They drug tested me for my position as a nurse extern last summer, and I'm sure I will be re tested this summer during my employment physical for an RN position.

Kinda a funny story, I have never tried drugs in my life.....I'm just very into health and fitness, however, I had to get drug tested 3 times last summer, because my urine was too dilute!!!! :rotfl: I had to start drinking LESS WATER in preparation for my drug tests :chuckle What a pain it was going back 3 times, parking...etc etc.....it was a long drawn out process :rolleyes:

TinyNurse, RN · Mar 30, 2004

30 days in your system, and for gods sakes use something ( i forget it's been so long ago) from 'GNC that makes your urine clean, also try your local bong, smoke shop!!!! for the latest on blocking pot from your urine.

in the meantime, lots of water.

xo jen

CashewLPN, LPN · Mar 30, 2004

ok, now heres a question,

lets say, at 2 am one day, you get a phone call from a friend drunk and stoned off her nut... she despirately needs a ride home, and, asks you for one, which you grumblingly give her....

you go to the place (its a common friends house) to get her, go inside, and the smoke is so thick you can cut it with a knife. Quickly grabbing your bud with a minimum of breathing, you take her home.

Do you think that the picker-upper would test positive?

:)

May2006 · Apr 16, 2004

I took a drug test for an nurse extern position that I may have failed. What are the consequences of failing besides not getting the job?

ManEnough · Apr 16, 2004

ok, now heres a question,
lets say, at 2 am one day, you get a phone call from a friend drunk and stoned off her nut... she despirately needs a ride home, and, asks you for one, which you grumblingly give her....
you go to the place (its a common friends house) to get her, go inside, and the smoke is so thick you can cut it with a knife. Quickly grabbing your bud with a minimum of breathing, you take her home.
Do you think that the picker-upper would test positive?
:)

My understanding of marijuana testing is that second hand smoke isn't potent enough to make the test positive. Nice try.

rhiannonwolf · Apr 16, 2004

I am a certified drug and breath alchohol screener. Here is what I can tell you about marijuana. If you smoke every day, say one joint and then you quit, I can guarantee that it will be in your system for at least 30 days. However, if you haven't smoked in several months, and then decide to take a couple of puffs off of a pipe, you should be fine within 4 or 5 days for a drug test.

If your test comes back positive, your employer cannot give away this information to anyone because it is against the law thanks to a little thing we all know by now called HIPAA. So if you try to apply for another job for some other company, you should be fine. I would expect that if you want to work for a hospital, you will have to have a drugscreen just because of the fact that you have easier access to controlled drugs.

My .02

Rhiannon