Masking Agents / Adulteration - How to Pass a Drug Test?

Background.

During workplace drug testing (and other kinds of drug testing) we often see donor’s trying to “beat the test”. They sometimes try and use someone else’s urine sample or attempt to adulterate the sample. You just have to Google the phrase “how to pass a drug test” to see what a large industry has evolved specifically around trying to get a “negative” result. 

What are Masking Agents and Sample Adulteration?

"Adulteration" can be defined as the consumption of a product (such as a masking agent) or adding a substance / product directly to a sample (usually urine or oral fluid) with the sole purpose of passing a drug test. This includes simple techniques like drinking large amounts of water to dilute the urine sample beyond human norms.

Commercially Available Masking Agents and Household Products. 

Commercially available and general household products can be added to a sample (usually urine or oral fluid). These are primarily designed or used to hide/destroy the presence of a drug or its metabolite. These have varying success. Some are completely useless. Others will confuse the on-site (“point of care”) drug test, while some will only confuse the laboratory test.

Several adulterants are used to mask tests for abused drugs in urine. Adulterants such as "Klear" and "Whizzies" contain potassium nitrite while "Urine Luck" contains pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC). The presence of these adulterants cannot be detected by routine specimen integrity check (pH, specific gravity, creatinine and temperature). It is important to choose a test strip that can detect the presence of these adulterants along with specific gravity, creatinine and pH in urine.

The use of all of these products and methods can be detected using an on-site adulteration test strip (such as Urine Adulteration Strips). These should be carried out in conjunction with the on-site (“point of care”) drug test. Laboratories carry out similar “sample validity tests” (SVT) during analysis.

100% Guaranteed Success!

There are many websites promising “100% success or your money back!” type guarantees. There is currently no adulterant product that can be added to urine which can 100% guarantee success in “fooling” a drug test, provided correct procedures are used together with an adulteration test. With a workplace drug test – you may lose your job - but you will get your money back for the masking agent / adulteration product that you bought! It should be noted that some of the commercially available adulterants and masking products also contain chemicals which are harmful and acidic while others contain known carcinogens (cancer causing chemicals). Extreme care needs to be taken by any persons who chose to use such products.

Getting Caught.

In the UK, workplace drug and alcohol policies usually state that any adulteration (or attempt to adulterate) will be considered as a confirmed positive drug test. So any attempt to use a masking agent, product or technique is highly likely to have drastic consequences for the individual if caught!

In Summary.

If you are carrying out workplace drug testing (or any other type of drug testing) then we would highly recommend the use of an adulterant test. These can either be built into your urine drug test cup or urine drug test dip (usually 3 adulterant parameters only) or by using a wider adulterant panel (usually 7 adulterant parameters) via separate adulterant dip strip tests. If you do not use an adulterant test as part of your drug testing program, you may be at risk of missing a positive result and the consequences this may lead to.

Matt Taylor (Director) www.itstestkits.com

About the Author

Matt Taylor has been working in the drug and alcohol industry since 2003, and has gained extensive knowledge & experience in policy, education/training, testing solutions, D&A support. He is a founding Director of Innovative Testing Solutions Limited (ITS). ITS provide cost-effective, high-quality and up-to-date D&A sample collection, screening and testing kits. As an international speaker he has trained thousands of leaders & staff on Drug & Alcohol Policy, workplace drug and alcohol testing & preventative measures. Having experienced the consuming effects of drug & alcohol, he is well positioned to advise on preventative measures.

CONTACT ► You can message Matt Taylor on LinkedIn, call 07821 116117 or email matt@itstestkits.com

About Innovative Testing Solutions (ITS)

HOW WE CAN HELP ► Typically clients come to ITS because they are concerned about their legal responsibilities for drug and alcohol policies. Some are worried about test accuracy due to evolving drug usage and many feel uncertain about legally defensible staff procedures & disciplinary action. Often we find that companies have a Policy that is not robust or legally defensible and/or using testing kits that are not fit for purpose. It’s important to have the right Policy, Procedures and Training in place. It’s also important to use the right drug testing kits. Unfortunately there are lots of kits on the market that are simply not fit for purpose. Some kits have cut-off levels much higher than the EWDTS (European Workplace Drug Testing Society) Guidelines which means you are potentially missing many “positives”. Some kits just never consistently reach the levels of accuracy, specificity and sensitivity they publish. Both can result in people returning to work “under the influence” putting themselves and others at risk.

ITS support PLCs, SMEs, Drug treatment organisations, Occ Health, HR and H&S professionals with advice, policy writing, testing products/solutions, training, support etc. 

WHY US? ► ITS provide reputable, competitively priced testing solutions. Our award-winning plastic-free drug test kits deliver environmental, low carbon solutions. Dealing with drug & alcohol issues in the workplace can be unnerving. Problems if not addressed, can induce accidents, high absenteeism, affect reputation, staff engagement & customer loyalty. We tend to work with companies (large and small) that value quality, legal defensibility, support and service. We can take all the problems and issues surrounding D&A Policy and Testing out of the equation, allowing you to get on with what you do best - looking after your people and growing your business.

OUR CLIENTS ► We work with clients including occupational health, recruitment, distribution & logistics, construction and many other workplace sectors across the UK & Ireland. We also work with the organisations such as drug treatment services etc. Our clients benefit from confidential advice & expert training built on moral & ethical business practices. Innovative, quality-led bespoke drug panel and/or alcohol testing kits provide reliable positive/negative results & improve the health and wellbeing of your staff.

CONTACT ► You can call (+44) 01785 532002 or email info@itstestkits.com.