The use of THC and cannabis products for medical and recreational purposes is growing, but not everyone is accepting of its use. Cannabis consumers with disapproving family or employers might find themselves in need of drug detox kits. CVS or other common drugstores are usually the easiest places to start looking. With so many employers now requiring drug testing, products that promise to cleanse the system such as detox kits from CVS can sound like a dream come true. But are these kits, pills, and drinks really reliable enough to bet your livelihood on?
Ways you might be tested for THC
- Urine
Most commonly, employers will require a urine sample for a Walgreens or CVS drug test. THC can be detected by a urine dipstick with 99% accuracy and the test results appear within 5-10 minutes. Urinalysis accounts for about 90% of workplace drug tests. Since THC can be detected in urine for up to 30 days in some cannabis consumers, these tests are the most intimidating and frustrating for someone whose career depends on a clean result. Most toxin detox products are designed to change the chemistry of your urine. In the chart below, you can see Toxin Rid and Mega Clean. - Three-part detoxification system with pre-rid tablets, liquid detox, and dietary fiber
- Specifically designed for people with HEAVY toxin exposure
- Starts working as fast as one hour
- Rids your blood, urine, and saliva of unwanted drug toxins
- 100% money-back guarantee
- Minimizes your toxin levels in one hour, effective for up to five hours with the maximum effect at three hours
- Saliva
Another possibility is that you might be tested with a mouth swab drug test. CVS also carries these, although they are not as commonly used. About 10% of employers report using saliva testing. Mouth swabs are much easier to work around and it’s easy to pass a saliva test if you have a little time to plan ahead. According to goodhire.com, marijuana is usually only detectable in saliva for 5-48 hours after last use. - Blood
For a moderate consumer, blood will rid itself of any detectable toxins about 3-4 hours after last smoking weed or consuming a THC product. Blood tests are generally used as a drug test for opiates and methamphetamines rather than marijuana. - Hair
The least commonly used test, hair, is the most sensitive for detecting long term consumption of marijuana. Healthline studies show that hair can test positive for THC for up to 90 days, but since it grows so slowly, hair will not test positive for any type of cannabis for about 5-7 days after consuming it. Because of this, a hair test is not used to look for recent use. Don’t go shaving your head in an attempt to avoid being tested though. Any kind of body hair can be used for testing.
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Toxin Rid |
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Mega Clean + PreCleanse Pills |
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| Type of Test | Light Use | Moderate Use | Heavy Use |
| Urine | 3 days | 14 days | 30-45 days |
| Saliva | 48 hours | 48 hours | 48 hours |
| Blood | 4 hours | 12 hours | 24 hours |
| Hair | 90 days | 90 days | 90 days |
Options to rid your body of toxins
To understand which detox kit will most effectively rid your body of toxins, you must first have an understanding of how most detox products work. The Biomedical Journal of Scientific and Technical Research explains that there are really only three ways to clear the system of any toxin or cleanse the urine. Keep reading PeaceHealth Laboratories to get know more about it.
- Dilution
Generally, a detox drink is any drinkable liquid that contains some added vitamins, minerals, or herbs that can increase the amount of urine you make, therefore decreasing the concentration of detectable drug, diluting the sample. This does not necessarily decrease the amount of toxin in your body, but dilutes the urine making it harder for the test to find. Just like adding more soda to a mixed drink, the flavor gets sweeter and the alcohol less obvious because you add more soda, not because you remove alcohol. - Adulteration
There are several urine adulterant products available for purchase online. These are added to a urine test cup to change the chemical composition of the sample and can result in a negative test despite high levels of toxin. The Department of Health and Human Services makes it clear that being caught tampering with a drug test can result in heavy fines and jail time in 18 states. Most drug tests also test for adulterants and sample collection is done under the observation of a professional, making this a risky strategy. - Metabolism
The only way true cleansing of toxins can occur is through metabolism. THC is primarily stored in adipose tissue and metabolized by the liver. People with lower body fat percentages tend to test negative for THC more quickly because they have fewer fat cells for the THC to cling to. People with a faster metabolism will also clear out toxins more quickly. Exercising consistently over time can help your body clear THC in the long term and keep your metabolites low. However, going for a jog immediately before a drug test can cause fat cells to breakdown and release more THC into the bloodstream. Exercising consistently is a good way to keep yourself healthy while putting yourself in the best possible position in case of an unexpected drug test. Toxin Rid and Mega Clean can be helpful for metabolism boosting.
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Our #1 Choice
Toxin Rid |
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Mega Clean + PreCleanse Pills |
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THC detox kits
Many online resources recommended that people in need use THC detox kits. CVS, GNC, Walmart, and other pharmacies carry detox kits for colon cleansing and weight loss. These are not the same as the specialized kits sold online. Pharmacies and GNC stores do not list drug clearance as a function of their detox drinks or detox pills. Generally, if you are looking for a cheap way to improve your chances of a drug screen pass, you will have to create your own detox kit. CVS, Walmart, and Walgreens generally carry these common supplements. Research from the National Library of Medicine shows that there are several over the counter options to improve your chances of passing a drug screen. Chances are better when used in combination and when the drug is avoided for as long as possible prior to the test.
- Hydration
- Creatinine
- Vitamin B-12
- Vitamin C
- Cranberry Juice
- Zinc
- Time
As PeaceHealth claims, while these supplements are not a guarantee, they may help you in a pinch. Being extremely well hydrated dilutes the sample, while taking creatinine can prevent your urine from being deemed too dilute and therefore inconclusive. Vitamin b-12 and vitamin c will give the watered-down urine a more yellow color, while cranberry juice acts as a diuretic- helping all of the fluid you drink come out as urine. Zinc, according to the National Library of Medicine, can interfere with the test strips used on the urine sample. Time is the best tool against a drug test. The longer you can wait, the better your chances of a clean test.
In desperation, some people may purchase online, smoke shop, or CVS synthetic urine to pour in their sample cup. While this option is tempting, and there are many products available online and in store, this carries with it the same risks as adulterating a sample and is not recommended.
There are alternate drugstore supplies available that are rumored to help you to pass a drug test. Kits from CVS or Walgreens might be recommended by a friend, or you might search for a drug cleanout kit. CVS and Walgreens will stock detox pills and drinks in the diet and nutrition section of the store. The CVS 14-day cleanse and detox, is an inexpensive and safe option to try, but probably will not be effective. These detox products are designed to empty the colon, which has no significant effect on detectable THC levels in the urine, blood, hair, or saliva.
CVS 14-day Cleanse and Detox Review
Pros
- Safe
- Inexpensive
- Easy to Use
Cons
- No evidence that it will change a drug test result
- Does not eliminate toxins
- Does not increase metabolism
Another drugstore solution for passing a drug screen is a detox mouthwash. CVS and other drugstores have plenty of options including dental mouthwashes, breath mints, and chewing gum. Each of these can change the PH of the mouth and potentially lower the concentration of cannabis detected by an oral swab.
Online options
If you are a frequent consumer of cannabis product and do not have time to abstain from use or try the CVS options, there are several highly rated, but more expensive THC detox drinks available online.
- Toxin Rid $50-$200
- Mega Clean Detox Drink $69
- NutraCleanse $80-$150
All of the products mentioned above have fantastic online reviews. NutraCleanse even offers a 100% money back guarantee. Their cleansing and detoxifying products range from an effectiveness of a few hours for emergencies, to ten-day permanent detox plans. The products with an immediate effect just camouflage the substance and make it difficult to detect, while the longer 5–10-day products and plans claim to provide true elimination of the toxin from the system. It is important to note that NutraCleanse will not ship some products to FL, KY, NJ, ND, OK, OR, and TX.
Depending on a clean drug result for important life events and job opportunities is stressful. Fortunately, as marijuana laws change and use expands across different demographics, acceptance of cannabis is also increasing. Applying for a medical marijuana card or finding places of employment that are friendly towards cannabis products allows you to use a product you enjoy without risking your livelihood.
The only way to guarantee a clean drug test is to abstain from toxins long enough for them to clear your system. Since drug tests are often an urgent and unexpected obstacle, some of these products mentioned may give you some protection and help you avoid career or personal difficulties.
References
NH;, Venkatratnam A;Lents. “Zinc Reduces the Detection of Cocaine, Methamphetamine, and THC by ELISA Urine Testing.” Journal of Analytical Toxicology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21740689/.
Sauer, Mary. “Hair Follicle Drug Test: How It Works, Uses, and What to Expect.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 8 Mar. 2019, https://www.healthline.com/health/hair-follicle-drug-test.
Swarnalatha, G, et al. “Fulminant Hepatic Failure Following Marijuana Drug Abuse: Molecular Adsorbent Recirculation System Therapy.” Indian Journal of Nephrology, vol. 23, no. 5, 2013, p. 384., https://doi.org/10.4103/0971-4065.116335.