screwed up with pot and have to take drug test

LegacyUser

So I found out today that I might have to take a drug test in about 6 months. Over the summer I was away on a J1 and all my american friends smoke like crazy and there were a few road trips where they hot boxed (I didn't actually smoke during these times) to the point I threw up. I took about 3 or 4 drags on about 3 occasions (spread out over a period of say 2 months).


So, would mild usage (like literally probably only 1 or 2 joints - we shared a pipe ) over that period (~2 months) be likely to show in a hair drug test in 6 months? Right now my hair is reasonably long like about an inch below my shoulders

This is the career i've been aiming for for years and I just didn't realise i'd have this opportunity and I can't believe how stupid I was so please don't rub it in. I've already potentially ruined my life and I'd just like my question answered

tenchi-fan

Get a hair cut!

kjl

Are you for real?

It's almost 100% going to be a urine test, using the typical dipstick test. These tests only look for amphetamines, cocaine, heroin and benzodiazepines and not for marijuana. Plus any company that is going to fire you for smoking two joints over 9 months before a drug test is not the kind of company I would want to work for.

whatsamsn

tenchi-fan wrote: »

Get a hair cut!

Haha. Damn Hippies! lol.


Ok but seriously op hash/pot etc stays in your system for roughly around 30 days. So im pretty sure you are ok for the test in 6 months. No way it would show up.

Unless of course you smoke anytime from 30-60 days before the test. (60 days is more than enough for it to leave your system)

But op, dont just go smoking pot now you know it lasts for 30 days. This so called test in 6 months time could actually pop up out of no-where.

tenchi-fan

I think the op is freaking out because if they did a hair drugs test they can detect it for longer...... but seriously.. 6 months! No chance!! If he was *that* worried a hair cut would sort out the problem pretty quick. Plus as kjl said the standard drugs test would be a urine test anyway so you'd be fine after a few days.

Overheal

Pointedly, what career field are you entering? Is it one with absolute zero tolerance, like being an astronaut or something? Hair tests make up such a tiny subset of drug tests.

breadmonkey

kjl wrote: »

Are you for real?

It's almost 100% going to be a urine test, using the typical dipstick test. These tests only look for amphetamines, cocaine, heroin and benzodiazepines and not for marijuana. Plus any company that is going to fire you for smoking two joints over 9 months before a drug test is not the kind of company I would want to work for.

Are you absolutely sure they don't test for marijuana? I mean, why wouldn't they? A friend of mine failed one in Australia for marijuana.

sam34

the ones we use at work definitely test for thc

amdublin

What kind of job are you applying for????

Are you sure they even do a drug test?? That is soooooo rare in Ireland.

They may do a urinalysis alright. But this is not testing for drugs, it is testing for abnormalities in your urine (eg. blood, protein, sugar etc)

LegacyUser

OP here.

Female so cutting hair is a big deal tbh. like if it is a hair test, would I be better with really long hair or would I be better trying to cut it short enough but risk not getting that part of the hair out or does it matter? Does the THC travel up and down the shaft?

I am certain though that they do test for drugs. just hoping it's a urine test. Can't believe how stupid I was.

kjl

breadmonkey wrote: »

Are you absolutely sure they don't test for marijuana? I mean, why wouldn't they? A friend of mine failed one in Australia for marijuana.

My brother runs a methadone clinic and uses the same tests as the use in work places. The do not test for MJ.

Bottle_of_Smoke

kjl wrote: »

My brother runs a methadone clinic and uses the same tests as the use in work places. The do not test for MJ.

There is a test employers use for cannabis. A guy I worked with told me he did really well at an interview somewhere else, got offered the job then failed for having cannabis in his system.

Anyway OP, that level of exposure will be gone from your system in a week or so. Its only heavy smokers it stays longer.

Find out if they do a hair test(i doubt it very much) if they do cut your hair.

Boskowski

user8888 wrote: »

OP here.

Female so cutting hair is a big deal tbh. like if it is a hair test, would I be better with really long hair or would I be better trying to cut it short enough but risk not getting that part of the hair out or does it matter? Does the THC travel up and down the shaft?

I am certain though that they do test for drugs. just hoping it's a urine test. Can't believe how stupid I was.

Look, if its a hair test it's obviously be going to be that bit of the hair that was growing during that time and not the ends of it.

Anyway. If a company asked me during interview for a hair test I wouldn't want to work for that company anyway. Unless the career was in a very sensitive field where it somehow warrants such paranoid behaviour on behalf of the company - and right now I can hardly think of any such field - I'd find it totally out of order and I'd tell them to mind their own business.

I know you said it's a career you're really longing for and it's easy to say this from my position but some HR departments are really stepping over the line these days. Firstly - people have lives and it's none of their freakin' business and secondly I'd be wary over the amount of mistrust and paranoia this implies right from the start.

Do you mind me asking what line of business we're talking about?

LegacyUser

I work in the Pharmaceuticals industry and drug tests are pretty much required if there is any possibility of controlled drugs being produced on site before a job can be offered. Always a urine test in my experience, never heard of a hair test.
I know it was a major problem for one company I worked for, getting operators who didn't show up positive for hash on their initial screening, they had a real headache with it. I also know of one person I worked with who lost out on a position after I worked with him as his pre-offer medical failed for hash. As far as I know none of the companies test on an on-going basis here in Ireland. Not an issue for me as I don't smoke it, but at my yearly medicals they make a point of letting us see them dispose of the sample after a simple dip-stick test for blood and the like in the urine.