I just got a call from a prospective employer who wants me to take a drug test and they want it today. No notice. Question — I don’t take “drugs” but I do drink alcohol. In fact I was out last night with a couple of buddies. I had the equivalent of 4 or 5 beers. That has me concerned – it being just last night and all. Will that show up on a drug test if the test is designed to detect alcohol? Again, this is the ONLY thing that could possibility create a negative impression as far as this test is concerned.
Another question – is there a way to quickly “flush” out any residual alcohol that might remain and be detected. Will drinking about 70 oz of water and peeing do the trick. Time is ticking ---- and I really want this job -
Most pre-employment drug screenings don’t look for small quantities of alcohol. Besides, there’s probably none left in your system to speak of. Your body metabolizes alcohol at the rate of about one ounce per hour. A 12 ounce beer contains about one ounce of alcohol.
Thanks guys (gals?) — when I said I had to be there pronto - I meant that. They, the lab, were only open a half day today and I just got back. I’m sure the results will be negative since my copy of the signed document swearing that ‘my pee is my pee and only my pee’ – (i.e. the “Donor Copy”) indicates the test is for “THC, COC, PCP, OPI, AMP.” Which I assume is marijuana (THC), cocaine (COC), phencyclidine (PCP), opiates (OPI), and amphetamines (AMP). Since I only drink alcohol like a fish I suppose I’m safe. Thank god for our cultural values!!!
Oh, and I did drink two 20 oz cokes before heading out – to be safe and to cure performance anxiety.
If your only worry is that 4-5 beers (legally, as previously stated) may cause you to fail a drug test, you may need to concentrate on your stress management and paranoia instead. You seem a little high strung, which will cause many more problems for you in your life and job performance, than a few beers. My advice: drink more, smoke a joint and relax!!
