Detox for a Drug Test

Many people wonder how to detox for a drug test. Join Avenues Recovery, experts in addiction recovery, as we explore different ways to detox from drugs.

What Are Drug Test Detox Kits?

A drug test detox kit contains pills or drinks that flush drugs from the system to help people cheat a drug test. While most detox kits are legal, it is questionable whether or not they are effective in their claim of flushing drugs from the system. Tampering with drug test results by doing a detox for a drug test may be illegal, so check the law before you attempt to cheat a drug test.

The Different Types of Drug Cleanse for a Drug Test

There are many different types of detox kits available for purchase:

• Detox drinks: How do detox drinks for a drug test work? These drinks claim to flush out toxins, including drug metabolites, from the body with varying reliability. 
• Detox pills/capsules: These pills and capsules often contain a combination of herbs, fibers, and other ingredients that claim to eliminate drug metabolites and toxins from the body.
• Hair detox kits: These are shampoos and conditioners that claim to aid in passing hair follicle drug tests, but their reliability can vary.
• Urine test additives: Some kits include additives or powders that mask or dilute drug metabolites in urine, aiming to pass urine drug tests. However, many drug testing labs know these tactics and have measures to detect such attempts.
• Detox teas: Herbal teas are marketed to aid in detoxification by promoting healthy digestion and metabolism. While some herbal teas may offer health benefits, their ability to specifically eliminate drug metabolites is uncertain.
• Natural detox: These programs often emphasize a combination of healthy eating, exercise, hydration, and sometimes saunas or other methods to promote the body's natural detoxification processes. They tend to be more grounded in science and may have some health benefits, but might not provide rapid detoxification for drug metabolites.
• Abstinence: The most reliable way to detox from drugs is to abstain from drug use over time, allowing your body's natural detoxification processes to work. Most people need professional assistance, like participating in Avenues Recovery's residential detox programs to detox from drugs in a completely safe way.

What Are Detox Drinks for a Drug Test?

A detox drink for a drug test contains herbs, fruits, and vegetables and is often marketed as a way to help rid the body of toxins, specifically substances like drugs or alcohol. Detox drinks are typically promoted as a means to flush the system for a drug test, particularly urine drug tests, by temporarily flushing out the traces of drugs from the body.

It's important to note that the effectiveness of detox drinks for drug tests is widely debated and often questionable. The science behind these products is often not well-supported, and their claims may not be backed by rigorous scientific evidence.

How Do Drug Detox Drinks Work?

Detox drinks work as a masking agent so that the drug metabolites in a person’s system won’t show up on a drug test. Drinking a lot of water is one way to flush the drug metabolites out of one’s system, but drinking water alone is not enough. Drug detox drinks contain a lot of diuretics, which help a person urinate more frequently than usual, flushing out the drug metabolites in one’s system. Once the person has urinated a lot, there is a short time in which they may get a clean drug result when doing a urine test.

What Do Detox Drinks Contain?

Detox drinks for drug tests often contain many different ingredients:

• Vitamins and minerals: Detox drinks often contain high doses of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins C and B, and electrolytes. These nutrients are believed to support the body's natural detoxification processes and help eliminate toxins.
• Herbal extracts: Many detox drinks contain herbal extracts with purported detoxifying properties. Some common herbs are dandelion root, milk thistle, burdock root, and turmeric. These herbs are thought to support liver function and promote detoxification.
• Fiber: Fiber-rich ingredients like psyllium husk or inulin are sometimes included in detox drinks. Fiber aids in promoting bowel movements and eliminating waste products from the digestive system.
• Amino acids: Certain amino acids, such as taurine and glutathione precursors, are sometimes added to detox drinks. These compounds are believed to assist the body in metabolizing and eliminating toxins.
• Natural sweeteners and flavorings: To improve taste and palatability, detox drinks often contain natural sweeteners like stevia and natural flavorings like fruit extracts.
• Electrolytes: Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium are commonly included in detox drinks to help maintain fluid balance and support overall bodily functions.
• Water: Proper hydration is a key component of any detoxification process. Detox drinks typically contain a significant amount of water, which helps to dilute substances in the body and promote urine production.

Side Effects of Drug Detox Drinks

There are many physical side effects that may affect someone who has taken a detox drink for a drug test, including: 

• Stomach upset
• Allergic reactions
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blood sugar fluctuations
• Dehydration
• Interactions with medications
• Laxative effect (causing diarrhea)
• Headache or dizziness

Does a Detox Drink Work for a Drug Test?

Detox drinks do not guarantee passing a drug test. They may temporarily dilute urine or mask toxins, but labs test for dilution and adulterants. Most drugs remain detectable for days or weeks, depending on metabolism and usage (see table below). The most reliable way to pass a test is abstinence.

Do Detox Kits Work?

It is unclear whether detox kits work since very little research has been done on this topic. The most success has been reported with drinks that mask THC levels. The instructions in the detox kits are not easily understood, probably due to legal reasons. While selling detox kits is not illegal in the U.S., there may be legal issues with using a detox kit to mask drug levels before a drug test. There was even an instance of psychosis from a detox kit.

How Long Are Drugs Detectable in Your Body?

Are There Any Home Remedies to Pass a Drug Test?

The most common form of detox to pass a drug test is drinking coffee or taking a cold shower when someone is highly intoxicated. Unfortunately, neither of these methods has proved effective to flush the system for a drug test. Also, if someone is overly drunk or drugged, putting them in a shower or giving them a lot of caffeine can be dangerous. Another home remedy often advised is to sleep it off, but this is also rarely helpful and can be harmful. It is dangerous for someone drunk to sleep off the effects. If they lie on their back while sleeping, they can choke on their own vomit (aspiration), leading to death.

If a person is hospitalized due to an overdose, possible treatments include:

• Activated charcoal
• Stomach pumping
• IV fluids
• Antidote drugs 

The best home remedy to pass a drug test is not to engage in drinking or drugs in the first place. Another good option is to allow time to pass for the patient to get sober or for the drugs to pass through their system. 

Detox for a Drug Test Safely

There are many ways people try to detox for a drug test, although most options are not proven to be effective and may have undesirable effects. While practicing abstinence to allow your body to detox naturally is highly recommended, doing so without professional help is tremendously difficult.

Reach out to us at Avenues Recovery to hear about our specialized and highly successful detox program. Our eminently trained staff will empower you to achieve sobriety in a supportive and efficient environment.