Baking Soda To Pass Drug Test: Fact Or Fiction?

A Closer Look At Baking Soda To Fool Drug Tests

People use a variety of methods to attempt to “beat” drug tests. These include but aren’t limited to drinking baking soda (also known as sodium bicarbonate). Many ideas used to “beat” or “fool” a drug test are not effective, and some are even unsafe.

Can you actually use baking soda to pass a drug test, and what are the risks of doing so? Why do companies require drug tests in the first place?

In this article, we’ll go over why your workplace may require drug testing, and types of drug tests, and find out more about the fact and fiction of ‘baking soda to pass drug test’ methods. We’ll also look at the services we offer at Icarus in New Mexico, and how we can help if you would like to put worries about drug testing in your past!

Why Does My Workplace Require Drug Tests?

You may surprised to learn that alcohol and substance abuse negatively impacts every industry in the United States. Many workplaces face lost productivity, employee absenteeism, increased rates of illness, and workplace accidents or injuries due to substance use among employees.

It is because of these concerns that workplaces require drug tests. Some workplaces require one drug test upon initial employment, whereas others require drug testing on a regular basis. An employer may also order a drug test if they suspect that an employee is under the influence while at work.

Of course, employers aren’t the only ones who may request a drug test. Drug tests are also used for:

• Participation in sports, whether at a high school, college, or professional level
• Legal purposes, including testing that follows a criminal act
• Medication monitoring, which ensures you are taking medication at a prescribed dose (not more or less)

An attempt to cheat a drug test may be tempting if you are abusing illegal drugs, but it is more challenging than it sounds and often can pose a risk to health as well.

The 5 Most Common Types Of Drug Tests

Employers might use numerous drug tests to determine whether employees are abusing illegal drugs. A drug testing expert may use any of the following tests depending on what a workplace requires.

It is worth noting that some drug tests are more sensitive or have lower thresholds for detection of substances.

1) Blood drug test

A blood test can be utilized to detect drugs in the body. This drug test will be administered just like any other blood draw you’d experience for other purposes, like checking vitamin or hormone levels.

2) Urine drug test

Urine drug tests are among the most common drug tests used by employers and medical professionals. A urine drug test requires a urine sample that you will provide on-site at drug labs by filling a cup to the line with urine.

3) Saliva-based drug test

Similar to a urine drug test, saliva drug tests are brief. During a saliva drug test, testers swab the inside of your mouth directly with a long Q-tip to collect your saliva.

4) Hair follicle drug test

When you engage in drug use, the drug is absorbed into your bloodstream. Then, substances move from your blood to your hair follicle. Hair follicle drug tests detect drugs in the system for a lot longer than other tests, including urine drug tests. During a hair follicle blood test, the tester takes a strand of your hair.

5) Breathalyzer test

With a breathalyzer test, you breathe into a device to determine the content of alcohol and other drugs in your system. Though these are most often used for alcohol, new breathalyzers can detect other drugs.

Will Baking Soda Fool A Drug Test?

Due to the prevalence of employees using methods to “trick” urine drug tests, it has become more difficult to fool a drug test. Employers and drug testing centers are both aware that current and prospective employees may use methods such as drinking baking soda mixed with water to try and fool a drug test.

Drinking sodium bicarbonate can fool drug tests in some cases, most typically for a meth drug test specifically, but it is difficult to achieve and doesn’t always work.

First, baking soda doesn’t necessarily lead to what will read as clean urine. Baking soda can mask amphetamines in some instances, but it will not mask marijuana and many other drugs. Second, it can take a large amount of baking soda to mask drugs in the system during a drug test, which can lead to a range of risks.

Overall, the baking soda method is not a proven option, for the reasons we will take a closer look at below.

Knowing the Risks Of Using Baking Soda For Drug Testing

It’s safe to consume small amounts of baking soda. Ordinary household items like sodium bicarbonate are used as a home remedy for ailments like muscle soreness, acid reflux, or tooth whitening. And, of course, baking soda is found in a significant amount of the foods we eat.

As a result, many people think that drinking baking soda is safe. However, most people who use baking soda to pass a urine drug test consume it in excess.

If you consume too much baking soda, it can lead to a range of dangerous metabolic and neurological effects. Here are some risks that can occur as a result of using baking soda to “beat” a drug test.

The Side Effects of Too Much Sodium Bicarbonate

If you consume excessive amounts of baking soda, you run the risk of various side effects, some of which can be serious. Side effects that can emerge from over-consumption of baking soda include:

• Tiredness or fatigue
• Headaches
• Extreme thirst
• Diarrhea
• Muscle spasms
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Bloating
• Frequent urination
• Depressed breathing

Excessive use of baking soda can also cause lower limbs to swell in some cases. Lower limbs swell as a result of fluid retention.

What are the Symptoms of a Baking Soda Overdose?

It is possible to overdose on baking soda. Signs of baking soda overdose include:

• Dehydration
• Muscle weakness
• Heart rhythm disturbance
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Intracranial damage
• Slowed or shallow breathing
• Kidney failure
• Seizures
• Shock

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience serious symptoms or signs of overdose upon consuming baking soda.

A Baking Soda Flush Can Also Cause a Ruptured Stomach

Alongside overdose, it is possible for stomach rupture to occur as a result of excessive baking soda consumption. When baking soda is mixed with an acid, a chemical reaction occurs. Large amounts of gas can accumulate in the stomach as a result of this chemical reaction, which may lead to stomach rupture.

If your stomach feels tender, or sore, or if you notice other symptoms that may indicate stomach rupture, call Poison Control right away at 1-800-222-1222. Your information will be kept confidential.

Kidney Failure From Sodium Bicarbonate Consumption

Kidney failure is a sign of having consumed too much baking soda, but it is more than that. Kidney failure can cause loss of kidney function and death. Note that the use of drugs and alcohol can also increase the chances of kidney failure, which may make some methods of cheating a drug test even more dangerous.

Job Loss or Probation Violation Due to Tampering with Testing

If you are caught cheating to pass a drug test – whether through excessive amounts of baking soda, using someone else’s urine sample, or any other method – you risk job loss or probation revocation. Furthermore, if you’re in need of work or are attempting to find a new job, you’ll likely remain out of work.

Legal Trouble Can be Multiplied

For some jobs, such as government roles, any cheating methods used to pass a drug test can result in trouble with the law. Additionally, while your PO may violate you, they can, if desired, also charge you with evidence-tampering and charges related to the attempt to deceive law enforcement.

Is There Another Method That Works?

There’s a long list of ways people attempt to fool a drug test. Effectiveness from method to method can vary. However, none of them are without occupation-related or health risks. Most methods used to fool a test for drug use fall into one of three categories: Consumption of very ordinary household items, synthetic urine, or using urine that is not your own.

Outside of baking soda, some people try to drink lots of water to flush drugs out of their system prior to a test. Others use harsh chemicals (e.g., cleaning solution), lemon juice, cranberry juice, or apple cider vinegar.

Even if you have succeeded in drug test fraud in the past, it is likely to catch up to you at some point. As mentioned, drug test labs have continued to improve their understanding of what people use to cheat on a drug test.

So, even if a particular method was effective for you in the past, it may not work this time around. For example, just as testing centers are clear that some people drink water mixed with baking soda to pass a drug test, they now know that plenty of people use synthetic urine or urine that isn’t theirs.

Note that some results can worry testers. Drug test labs aren’t out to get you, but they are doing their job. It’s important to understand that the consequences of cheating on a drug test are real and that no method is infallible. There are better options.

What To Do Instead of Baking Soda to Fool Drug Tests

What To Do Instead of Baking Soda to Fool Drug Tests

If you’re considering using baking soda or another method to pass a drug test, there are better options. Any method you use to “fool” or “beat” a drug test can fail. Furthermore, attempts to cheat a drug test through excessive water drinking, baking soda, or any other methods often come with stress and anxiety. So, what can you do instead?

Trying to fool a drug test is an indicator that you are likely to benefit from inpatient or outpatient substance use disorder treatment. There are many benefits to seeking help, and while it can be difficult, it is a good thing.

Attempting to use baking soda or any other measure to cheat a drug test could cost you a job or even your life. Icarus Behavioral Health provides a range of treatment programs that can help you avoid the risks associated with trying to beat a drug test and get to a better place.

Choose Recovery Over Drug Test Worries

For those who attempt to “fool” a drug test, baking soda is a frequently used item. Unfortunately, baking soda or sodium bicarbonate loading can result in serious consequences. In some cases, these consequences include seizure, overdose, or stomach rupture, which can lead to death.

If you’re considering the use of baking soda to beat a drug test or are searching for it, you may benefit from treatment.

Put Stress Over Drug Testing in the Rearview: Reach Out for Help!

Icarus Behavioral Health in New Mexico provides substance use, mental health, and dual diagnosis treatment. Our treatment centers are located in New Mexico. We have inpatient, outpatient, detoxification, and long-term rehab services.

Icarus Behavioral Health understands the financial commitment that accompanies treatment. We take many forms of health insurance, including forms of Medicaid such as Centennial Care, to help ease the burden. All calls are always completely confidential and never affect your coverage in any way.

So, reach out now for support from Icarus and put drugs in your past, so that tests, no matter where they are coming from, will no longer be an issue in your life!

FAQs on Baking Soda to Pass Drug Test Methods

How long do drug tests work?

Drugs can stay in your system for various lengths of time. Once a drug is consumed, it can be detected relatively quickly. When you use drugs regularly, it increases the length of time a drug can be detected in your system in some cases. While the numbers aren’t set in stone, there’s an average duration of time each drug should be detectable in every type of drug test.

Urine tests are often used to look for substances like opioids, stimulants, meth, and cocaine. Opioids are usually detected in urine for up to three days. The same is true for codeine. Xanax is detectable in a urine test for up to four days, and the same is true for ecstasy and LSD. Meth can be detected in a urine test for up to one week.

Note that these are just estimates. The span of time a substance is detectable in your body is contingent on the specific drugs you’ve used, gender, liver health, and other factors.

How can I trick a urine drug test?

People try to trick urine drug tests through a range of methods, including but not limited to baking soda and lemon juice. However, lab professionals are aware of these methods, and they do not usually work effectively. Serious risks, like stomach rupture, can occur if you use baking soda to pass a drug test. If you are considering attempts to “fool” a drug test, it is a sign that addiction treatment may benefit you.

What happens if you get caught cheating on a drug test?

If you’re caught trying to cheat a drug test, there’s more than one potential outcome. Largely, this depends on why you are taking the drug test in the first place. If it is for employment or for a similar purpose, you may be given another drug test in some cases. Not all employers give another chance, however. Probation or job loss are other possibilities.

If you are taking a drug test to participate in sports, you may lose your spot on the team. Similarly, if an educational or similar institution requires drug testing, it could result in expulsion. Cheating a drug test for medication might mean that your medication regimen is changed in some instances.

Being caught adulterating, diluting, or otherwise tampering with a urine sample for probation or parole can have more serious consequences, including rearrest and jail time, so finding detox or treatment options to present your PO can be a smarter idea.