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Many have attempted to cheat drug tests by substituting their urine with someone else's, but laboratories are typically equipped to identify such discrepancies. Peter Dazeley/Getty ImagesImagine you use illegal drugs and have applied for a job that requires a drug test. Even in states where recreational marijuana is legal, employers can still reject applicants who use it, not to mention harder substances. You might consider using a friend's urine or even purchasing "clean urine" online. But will this strategy actually help you pass the test?
The outcome largely hinges on the collection and detection techniques employed by the testing facility.
Dave Claflin, CEO of Fastest Labs, which provides drug, alcohol, and DNA testing among other services, has witnessed some outrageous attempts to deceive the system. "One woman hid a Ziploc bag filled with someone else's urine in her bra," he shares. Individuals often place the substituted urine close to their bodies to mimic the temperature of fresh urine. "However, she took so long to provide the sample that we knocked on the door, startling her and causing the urine to spill all over her shirt." Not only was she embarrassed, but her attempt was also blatantly obvious, he adds.
Suppose the woman had managed to deposit the urine into the cup within the given time frame. Would she have succeeded? In this scenario, likely not. Fastest Labs, like other trusted drug-testing facilities, adheres to Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines, which mandate that collectors maintain a chain-of-custody process, including an immediate temperature check of the sample.
"Specimens must be between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit (32 to 38 degrees Celsius)," he explains. "The reason we reject samples below 90 degrees is that the human body typically maintains a temperature of 98.6 degrees, but urine cools slightly after being collected, usually settling between 92 and 94 degrees within a few minutes." Even if the urine was kept warm by being close to her body, it’s unlikely it would have met the necessary temperature range.
DOT regulations also prohibit bringing any items into the collection area, such as purses, backpacks, or outerwear. Pockets must be emptied as well. At Fastest Labs, staff perform a visual inspection, focusing on areas like the beltline and socks, as these are common hiding spots for fake or substituted urine. "In 90% of cases, we ensure the specimen doesn’t make it into the testing area," Claflin states.
What happens in the remaining 10% of cases? "If someone manages to bypass the monitoring, laboratories can employ various tests to detect tampering," says Alejandro Amador, COO of Ammon Labs, a comprehensive toxicology lab, via email. He notes that all urine samples undergo specimen validity testing (SVT) to check for abnormalities. "If specific gravity, creatinine, pH, and oxidant levels are normal, we can assume the sample is valid. These tests help identify substitutions (like apple juice or bleach) or adulterations (additives used to mask drugs)."
Trying to Game the System
People often go to great lengths to pass a drug test, including purchasing powdered urine online to mix with water. To prevent this, most testing centers conduct tests in restrooms without water access and prohibit bringing water inside. As a result, some attempt to use water from toilet tanks, leading to bluish-green samples due to DOT regulations requiring blue tank water. "We’ve had individuals confidently submit blue samples," Claflin remarks.
Some individuals purchase products claiming to detoxify urine, but these only dilute it. Others use specially designed underwear with compartments to store synthetic urine. "The challenge is maintaining the correct temperature to avoid discomfort or detection," Claflin explains.
Consequently, some facilities implement observed testing, where a staff member directly supervises the sample collection, either initially or after a suspicious attempt.
If labs fail to enforce strict protocols, cheating the system becomes feasible. Tommy (name changed) recounts assisting two friends in passing drug tests by providing his own urine. "One friend needed it for a part-time valet position, not a significant career opportunity. Since he responsibly avoids marijuana during work hours, I felt comfortable helping him," Tommy shares.
Tommy describes urinating into a Ziploc bag, which his friend then concealed near his groin before heading to the testing clinic. "He accessed a private restroom and easily transferred the urine into the cup," Tommy recalls.
To prevent cheating, employers and agencies should opt for stricter collection sites than those used by Tommy's friends. "Using someone else's urine to pass a drug test is entirely possible, but implementing standard collection protocols can deter such actions," Amador states. "Drug testing centers must adopt strategies to detect tampering; when individuals realize they cannot cheat, they are more inclined to commit to recovery."
Individuals who consume large amounts of water may have diluted urine, which can be flagged as suspicious. Fastest Labs advises health-conscious individuals, such as fitness enthusiasts, to take a multivitamin before testing to avoid retesting due to inconclusive results.
