How to Pass a Mouth Swab Test? Can You Fake It?

While a urine screening is a preferred method, mouth swab (saliva) testings have been growing in popularity lately. They are inexpensive, easy to administer and provide accurate results.

It is why we have prepared this guide on how to pass a mouth swab test for weed and other substances. We provide you with accurate information about mouth swab procedures.

Mouth Swab Test Facts

Mouth swab (saliva) tests are readily available and can be acquired in local pharmacies and other stores. The use of mouth swabs has seen a drastic increase due to ease of use and inexpensive testing kits. We have to take a look at how the test works to understand how to face a mouth swab test.

The usual testing procedure consists of:

• Taking a saliva sample from the test subject’s mouth
• Mixing the sample with the testing agent
• Collecting results in ten to fifteen minutes

Most mouth swab tests are calibrated for specific sensitivity, in terms of concentration of tested substances. The results of the test are usually ‘Yes or No,’ without giving the details of the amount of substance found in the saliva.

Mouth swab tests specifically look for the concentration of substances in saliva [1]. The presence of drugs in our saliva after the last use differs according to the type of substance consumed, and the individual. These are the general detection periods when it comes to common drugs being detected in saliva:

• Cannabis – from 6 to 24 hours
• Cocaine – up to 24 hours
• Heroin – up to 48 hours
• Codeine – up to 48 hours
• Amphetamines – up to 24 hours
• LSD – up to 6 hours

These detection times are not set in stone but are a reliable guide. Detection varies due to many factors, including genetics, age, health, and lifestyle.

Have you ever wondered about how to beat a mouth swab test? We do understand that this type of testing is vital in many professions and industries, and it has a place in the modern workplace. It is also a massive violation of personal liberties and privacy and a loss of trust between the employer and the employee.

 

Our intention is not to educate people on how to trick the system, but rather how to avoid situations that might result in a positive test. Here are the crucial aspects of how to avoid a positive mouth swab test:

Know Your Rights and Stay Informed

Information should always be the starting point. Different states in the US have different laws [2] when it comes to testing. Find out what kind of testing is allowed according to the state law and do not accept testing that might fall outside of the scope of the law.

Pay attention to the clauses about random and scheduled testing. Read those terms and find out the type of testing they conduct, as well as the consequences you might face in the case of a positive test.

Avoid Taking Any Substances at Least 24 Hours Before a Screening

If your company is transparent about scheduled screenings, this should be obvious. Most substances (with the exclusion of substances such as heroin, PCP, and codeine) will not be detectable in your saliva twenty-four hours after your last use. Abstaining from using drugs for forty-eight hours or more before testing will further increase the likelihood of a negative test result.

In cases where random drug testing [3] is performed, the situation is more complicated. Still, these are general rules to follow before a random test:

• Drink plenty of water. Water helps with metabolizing drugs and expelling them from our bodily fluids. Water can dilute the concentration of drug elements present in your saliva.
• Brush your teeth several times before the test. Brushing your teeth will cleanse your mouth of old saliva that might have a higher concentration of drug elements.
• Have a hefty meal high in fat before the test, especially if you are using cannabis. Drug molecules (especially THC) bind to fat in your bloodstream, lowering the concentration in your saliva.

What Happens In Case of a Positive Drug Test?

Despite taking all the precautions, your mouth swab drug test might come back positive. If you are preparing to face the consequences, this is what you should know. It is not the end of the world, but the potential consequences could be the following:

• Suspension or probation
• Mandatory random drug testing in the future
• Mandatory rehabilitation and education program
• Job termination and potential blacklisting (for federal jobs)
• Possible legal action or fines

Several factors influence the severity of the consequences you face. These factors include state laws on drug testing, the company’s drug-testing policy, the types of drugs detected, the circumstances, whether you are a repeat offender, and your industry of employ.

Most Federal jobs have mandatory drug testing in place [4], which is often coupled with harsh drug-testing policies and severe consequences. Other companies might have more lenient drug testing policies. Some states have laws in place to prevent employers from firing people for a failed drug test but require mandatory drug rehabilitation and counseling followed by a probation period.

You should always seek legal help in these kinds of situations. A legal professional with experience in these drug testing cases will always provide you with sound advice and help you minimize the fallout of a positive drug test.

Sources

1. Drug concentration in saliva https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29738/

2. State Drug Testing Laws https://www.ohsinc.com/info/state-drug-testing-laws/

3. Reasons for testing: Random drug testing https://blog.employersolutions.com/reasons-for-testing-random-drug-testing/

4. Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing https://www.verywellmind.com/