While most companies require the candidate to visit a collection lab, some may give the O.K. on at-home testing. At-home drug test kits may be convenient or may seem like a way to cheat the system. But there are a few things you should know before submitting to a test. Let’s take a look at a few at-home drug screening myths.

MYTH: Cranberry Juice Cleans Out Your System Prior to a Test

While it may be a tasty drink, cranberry juice does nothing for your system if you’re trying to remove traces of drug use. THC is kept in your fat cells, something that cranberry has no control over. If you plan to use cranberry as a way to flush everything out, it’s going to take at least a month to do so. It’s also important to note that a lot of cranberry juice can actually change the pH of your urine. If the lab notices any trace of modified urine, they will require you to retake the test. Only this time, it will be in an observed environment. 

MYTH: Commercial Screens Can Help You Pass a Test

You may have seen products on TV or in the stores called QuickC=Klean, GoldenSeal, or Mary Jane Super Clean 13. The products may have promised to clean out your system, but all they really do is lightly dilute your sample. In some cases, if a sample has been red flagged for being possibly altered, it may automatically be marked as a positive test.

MYTH: Vinegar Cleans Out Your System

The only thing vinegar will do to your system is lower your pH level. This is a prime reason for an administrator to either request another rapid drug screen or mark your drug test results as a positive test. Plus, if you spend your time drinking a ton of vinegar, you may experience terrible diarrhea. 

The American Management Association says approximately 62% of employers in the U.S. implemented a drug testing program with the goal of guaranteeing employee safety, complying with state regulations, protecting their organization’s reputation, and developing a drug-free environment. Faking a drug test is never a good idea. And if you think that drinking cranberry juice, vinegar, or using a commercial screen can help you out, think again. Go into the test drug-free to prevent any problems.