The safety of detox drinks or other such supplements is still in question. The FDA has shown concern over some of the substances labeled as “detox” drinks. Understanding the safer options for detox for drug test is very important. Here’s what you can do instead of taking drinks:
- Get in touch with a professional
- Check if medical detox is an option
- Exercise abstinence
Many organizations may require a clear drug test as part of employment. 70.4% of individuals with alcohol or drug use disorder are employed. This makes a total of 13.6 million employees. So, we understand that clearing drug tests is important while switching or opting for a job. However, there are many unsafe or ineffective ways to do so that you should be aware of.
Our specialists are licensed by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Feel free to call ChoicePoint at 844.445.2565 or enter your information in this form so our assistant can contact you.
Table of Contents
Intro to Detox
In medical terminology, detox refers to a procedure in which drugs are eliminated through the body. While the term is widely abused on social media platforms, it is important to understand what detox is and why it is carried out.
Types of Detoxes
Three main types of detoxes will be discussed in this section.
- Medical Detox
- Natural Detox
- Detox drinks or kits
Type 1: Medical Detox for Drugs
Medical detox is a medically assisted and supervised procedure in controlled settings. This type of detox is carried out to clear the drug toxins from the body under the supervision of licensed professionals. The main purposes of medical detox are:
- Managing strong withdrawal
- Overcoming physical dependence on drugs
- Assuring safety
- Preparing the body for rehabilitation
Did you know? There is a strong correlation between substance use. Not having a job can turn you toward illicit drugs, according to research, and vice versa.
Did you know? There is a strong correlation between substance use. Not having a job can turn you toward illicit drugs, according to research, and vice versa.
Medical Detox for Drug Test: Is It Common?
While passing a drug test might not be the sole purpose of medical detox, it can cleanse the body. However, medical detox is not necessarily a one-day treatment. There are many factors to consider.
- Detox may take hours to days and even months.
- Drugs you take determine the length of detox
- The frequency, metabolism, and other factors determine your stay at the facility.
Medically assisted detoxification is still the safest course of action. Talk to a healthcare provider if you need to pass a drug test or a quick fix.
How Long Does Detox Take?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Every drug has a different half-life, and its elimination depends on individual factors. Even with one drug, say alcohol, there is no fixed timeline of alcohol detox as it changes from person to person.
When Should You Undergo Medical Detox?
Medical detox is the best way to get rid of toxins if you are dependent on some drugs. After talking to your healthcare provider, you can opt for this procedure. If you want to pass your drug test, it is better to abstain from drug use days before your test. If you are addicted to hard drugs like meth or heroin, it is important to NOT go cold turkey and seek professional help.
Type 2: Natural Detox
Natural detox means taking healthy foods and eliminating processed food, heavy metals, etc. Many dietary supplements that are marketed to “increase the detox process” are not to be trusted because they lack the necessary empirical evidence.
Our body is well-versed in carrying out the natural process. Therefore, while a clean diet is important, you do not need supplements to “accelerate” the process. Some ways to detox your body are.
- Hydration
- Avoiding sugary foods
- Taking antioxidant-rich foods
- Consuming healthy fats
- Physical activity
- Appropriate sleep cycle
Natural detox means taking overall care of your body.
Does Natural Detox Work for Drug Tests?
If you have recently taken a drug, natural detox may not help you clear your drug test. It depends on the drug in question, the duration of drug use, metabolism, and the time of the last dose taken. Even with weed, it is recommended to undergo medical detox in some cases.
Type 3: Detox Drinks and Kits for Drug Tests
Detox drinks or kits are products that claim to cleanse the body and help individuals clear their drug test. These products also maintain that they will increase the detoxification of drugs, which is a false claim since it is not possible to do so via pills or drinks.
Types of Detox Kits
- Pills
- Drinks
- Herbal teas
- Synthetic urine
How Do Detox Kits Work?
To have a false positive on a drug test, detox works in the following ways:
Detox Drinks: Drinks aim to lower the concentration of the drug in urine by diluting it. Due to this, the drinks may sometimes work, but it is important to know that they are neither approved by the FDA nor always effective.
Detox Pills: Pills have certain chemicals that will mask the presence of drugs present in the body, and they may help cheat a drug test. However, they don’t always work. You are also likely to experience withdrawal symptoms.
Synthetic Urine: Synthetic urine is a product mimicking real urine, which is now being sold commercially to clear a drug test falsely.
Case Study: Negative Reaction to Detox Supplements
A study from the NLM looked at a young guy who got sick after using a drug detox kit. He’d been smoking weed a few times a week for a year and then stopped. They asked him to take a urine test when he got a new job. So, he bought this herbal detox kit, thinking it was super good. Turns out, he was experiencing paranoia, and it wasn’t until his mom noticed bizarre behaviors that she took him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with psychosis.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3267515/
Case Study: Negative Reaction to Detox Supplements
A study from the NLM looked at a young guy who got sick after using a drug detox kit. He’d been smoking weed a few times a week for a year and then stopped. They asked him to take a urine test when he got a new job. So, he bought this herbal detox kit, thinking it was super good. Turns out, he was experiencing paranoia, and it wasn’t until his mom noticed bizarre behaviors that she took him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with psychosis.
Why Detox Kits Are Not a Good Option?
- Detox kits can reinforce drug abuse
- They give the false idea of not having to undergo professional help
- Safety is always at risk
- The FDA has not approved any detox kit
- Sometimes, the ingredients are misleading
- There are little to no regulations on these products
- There is not enough evidence to show the efficacy of drug detox products
If you feel like you cannot give up on drugs, get in touch with our practitioners and counselors. With professional help, you can leave the life of addiction behind.
Putting Safety First: Getting a Medical Drug Detox
Medically assisted drug detox stands as the gold standard for safely getting rid of toxins from the body. Overcoming addiction once and for all can be very liberating. If you keep going back to drugs, it affects your life negatively. ChoicePoint is a leading drug rehab in Fairlawn, New Jersey that offers outpatient and inpatient detox.
Your safety is our priority!
- Our practitioners are DEA-certified
- Detox is safe and effective
- Counseling is also available alongside detox
- Medication-Assisted Treatment program is also available at our rehab center
Different Settings to Suit Everyone’s Needs
- Inpatient Detox/Rehab
- Outpatient Detox/Rehab
- Partial Hospitalization Program/High-Intensity Outpatient Program (PHP/HIOP)
Insurance Policy
We accept insurance from most providers. Enter your information here to verify your insurance. We also offer payment plans. Contact our rehab to get further guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Safe Detox for Drug Test
For more information, read our FAQ section.
Do Marijuana Detox Kits Work?
There is no surety that detox kits will work for weed or other substances. Detox kits are also not regulated by the FDA. Therefore, it is better to avoid their use.
Can I Get an At-Home Drug Detox Plan?
Talk to an addiction specialist before making any decision. Drug detox at home is not safe, as some drugs cause severe withdrawal. After undergoing medical detox, you should try exercising healthy habits.
Can Withdrawal From Drugs Kill You?
Yes. Certain drugs like opioids can cause severe withdrawal, like causing seizures, vomiting, etc. These withdrawal symptoms can become life-threatening.
How Do You Detox Your Kidneys From Alcohol?
Detoxing kidneys on your own includes drinking lots and lots of water. If abstinence is causing withdrawal symptoms, it is better to talk to your healthcare provider for the safest course of action.
How Do You Prevent Withdrawal Symptoms?
Do not go cold turkey. The safest way to prevent withdrawal symptoms is to opt for medical detox. Ask your healthcare practitioner about other tips that can help you prevent withdrawal.
Sources
- Research, C. for D. E. and. (2020). Public Notification: Detox Plus contains hidden drug ingredients. FDA. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/medication-health-fraud/public-notification-detox-plus-contains-hidden-drug-ingredients
- Frone, M. R., Chosewood, L. C., Osborne, J. C., & Howard, J. J. (2022). Workplace Supported Recovery from Substance Use Disorders: Defining the Construct, Developing a Model, and Proposing an Agenda for Future Research. Occupational Health Science, 6(4), 475–511. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41542-022-00123-x
- Nolte-Troha, C., Roser, P., Henkel, D., Scherbaum, N., Koller, G., & Franke, A. G. (2023). Unemployment and Substance Use: An Updated Review of Studies from North America and Europe. Healthcare, 11(8), 1182. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11081182
- Moneeshindra Singh Mittal, Kalia, R., & Khan, A. Y. (2011). A Case of Psychosis After Use of a Detoxification Kit and a Review of Techniques, Risks, and Regulations Associated With the Subversion of Urine Drug Tests. Primary Care Companion to CNS Disorders/the Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders.
https://doi.org/10.4088/pcc.11r01178
Medical Disclaimer:
ChoicePoint aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use disorder and mental health issues. Our team of licensed medical professionals research, edit and review the content before publishing. However, this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice please consult your physicians or ChoicePoint's qualified staff.