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Detox Drinks: Can They Help One Pass A Drug Test?

Last Updated: March 15, 2024

Authored by Isaak Stotts, LP

Reviewed by Michael Espelin APRN

A drug detox drink refers to beverages that are consumed to eliminate various toxins from the body. Many try to find new ways to cheat drug tests making drug detox drinks an attractive market for several manufacturers. However, no detox drinks for drug test have a proven result. The use of both homemade detox drinks for drug tests and commercially manufactured products does not guarantee a complete cleanse or passing a test. More so, attempts to trick the test are both dangerous and illegal.

What Detox Drinks Do

Detox drinks help get rid of the harmful substances from the body, increase metabolism, and boost overall health. While some manufacturers claim that their detox drinks can be helpful in the weight loss journey, others claim that their drinks will help cleanse the body from a drug and pass the drug test, including cocaine, opioids, and nicotine. However, these are not backed by enough evidence and give no guarantee.

If the aim is to achieve a healthy lifestyle, achieve weight loss, or follow a healthy diet, it is unnecessary to buy the expensive detox drinks available. They can be made at home as well. For example, smoothies or lemon juice can be a source of detoxification and promote overall health. Fruits, vegetables, and a combination of both can be used to detoxify the body from toxins. Additionally, fiber-rich nuts and seeds can be added to these drinks.

Detox vegerables, fruits and smoothies on the table.

Always go through the contents of the drink. In case any medicated ingredient is present, it is not recommended to start it without prior consultation with the doctor. Furthermore, there is a scarcity of evidence that supports the fact that detox drinks work effectively, especially in drug detoxification.

Why People May Use a Detox Cleanse Drink

Any company has the right to conduct an annual or biannual drug test. Some major corporations choose to do the tests even more often to ensure their employees are not using illicit substances. Unfortunately, some employees find new ways to cheat the drug tests making a detox cleanse drink an attractive market for various manufacturers.

However, there is no detoxification drink that has a proven result. Therefore, using any detoxification cleanse kit, both homemade and commercially manufactured, does not guarantee complete detoxification or passing a drug test. Moreover, the attempts to trick drug testing are both dangerous and illegal.

If you are detoxing while pregnant, note that such drinks can be dangerous both for the mother and the child.

Weed Detox Drink

The use of cannabis has been legalized in many states. However, many people still face situations when they must pass mandatory drug tests, as certain employers strictly forbid using marijuana. Marijuana is the drug that most commonly stands between people keeping or getting the job they want. The chemical responsible for the euphoric high in marijuana users is called THC. It stays in the body and will show up on drug tests much longer than other substances because it is fat-soluble, meaning it gets stored amongst the various fatty tissues surrounding different organs in the body. Once it is settled, it slowly releases the chemical, making it detectable in the system for longer.

Woman holding medicinal marijuana in the bottle.

How long does it take to detox from weed? To honestly detoxify the body from all traces of marijuana on its own can take up to a month. It doesn’t work if one’s job has scheduled a drug testing within the next week or so, as is often the case.

THC detox drinks claim to mask the THC in the system, helping to pass the test, but it is essential to remember that the body still needs to go through its natural process to completely remove the drug through the system. So basically, just because one passes a drug test using a weed detox drink does not mean the drug is no longer present in the body.

The only proven way to pass the marijuana drug test is not to use the drug at all. Falsification of test results may lead to severe legal consequences.

Today, a plethora of THC detox drinks exist. The following is a list of some of the most popular beverages that claim to eliminate various toxins before a drug test.

Clear Choice Rescue Cleanse

Some people believe that this is the most effective detoxification drink that can be purchased at the moment. A significant upside is a palatable taste that makes it easier to deal with. For it to be valid, one must plan 48 hours of abstinence from cannabis before taking a weed detox drink like Clear Choice, according to the manufacturer. The weight determines which size is needed to consume.

Healthy detox drink with lemon.

The manufacturer claims that Clear Choice’s sole purpose is to help pass a drug test, so if one follows the instructions, the chances of passing are very high.

However, the company cannot give any guarantee. Trying to falsify the drug test with this or any other weed detox drink can be considered a law violation. 

The Ultimate Detox Cleansing Drink

Another product that claims to detoxify the body before a urine drug test is called the Ultimate Detox Cleansing Drink. This product removes toxins from the urine, according to the manufacturer’s words. However, the only foolproof way to have clean urine is to abstain from illicit substances.

Toxin Rid

This is a detox kit product that contains tablets, fibers, and liquids. The combination of these three ingredients is what helps the user to detox for drug test, according to the manufacturer.

One Shot Concentrate

One Shot Concentrate is the most common drink in addition to Toxin Rid. One Shot claims to help the body eliminate almost every toxin left behind after a 10-day detoxification program.

Rescue Detox Blueberry Ice

Rescue detox ice drink has the best reviews for drug testing. It is well-liked for its simple usage, contents, and unique flavor. It is advertised as the only line of detox drinks for drug test that contains antioxidants. Unlike other cleansers used to get rid of drugs in the system, which commonly require a 48-hour toxin-free window, rescue blueberry ice only needs a 3-hour window. It takes three urinations, approximately 60-90 minutes, for most people to be cleansed. The cleansing effect is said to last for about 5 hours.

Stinger

The makers of Stinger claim that they have the best detoxification drink for drug tests because their ingredients can clean out the entire body on a cellular level. It is available in an assortment of flavors to make it more palatable. Users are advised to avoid toxins and drugs two days before testing. Food and drinks are not allowed within 4 hours of consuming Stinger.

The flushing of the system through frequent urination is said to occur within an hour, and one can remain clean for up to 6 hours. The peak time that the body is believed to be toxin-free is from one hour to 90 minutes after Stinger is taken.

Homemade Detox Drinks

Homemade detox drinks are all-natural mixes that contain many vitamins and minerals. Although the effectiveness of such detox drinks for drug test has not been proven, they can be used as a part of full-body cleanse to improve overall health or lose weight. Most of them contain only natural ingredients like fruits, vegetables and are based on healthy nutrition and exercise. While they may not help flush drugs out of the system faster, they can bring no harm and can make a person feel better.

5-Day THC Detox

This five-day program is based on nutrition, exercise, and supplements. A well-balanced diet, plenty of water, vitamins, and regular exercise are advised to get rid of the THC from the body.

The primary focus is on preventing THC from entering the bloodstream. To do so, one should eat fatty meals and consume plenty of carbohydrates. When it comes to drinks, one should drink coffee and tea. These drinks are diuretics, which means they stimulate urine production. This way, THC will faster exit the system.

Furthermore, caffeine acts as a metabolism booster, which also stimulates THC elimination.

Smoothies

If trying to get clean from drugs, one should drink smoothies with plenty of berries, spinach, avocado, and grapefruit. All of these ingredients are antioxidants, which will help to get rid of the toxins. However, one should keep in mind that homemade remedies are not very reliable if one is trying to pass a drug test. They only serve as an additional tool to be used alongside legitimate detoxification products.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is not as effective as products specifically designed for preparing for the drug test, but it has been known to yield the desired effect. Lemon is incredibly acidic, and just as it can be used for cleaning purposes around the house, removing stains and such, it can do the same in the organism. Lemon juice flushes out unwanted toxins from the body, but it does require a lot of drinking.

Although proper hydration and healthy food are helpful for the body, this still won’t guarantee a negative drug test. Avoid illicit drugs and any substances for non-medical purposes.

Vinegar

Vinegar is one of the most popular detox home remedies. Supporters of apple cider vinegar drug detoxification say it helps with weight loss, blood sugar regulation, and the removal of toxins from the body. Despite many anecdotal success stories, little scientific evidence exists to support its effectiveness on medications like opioid withdrawal.

For general cleansing, the best way to do apple cider vinegar alcohol detox is to use raw, unfiltered ACV. It still contains enzymes, minerals, and probiotics that are beneficial for health. Lemon juice, apple juice, cinnamon, pepper, and ginger can be added for flavoring.

However, those who wish to use vinegar as a detox cleanse drink for a drug test should be aware of the risks involved in its consumption. It can erode tooth enamel, irritate the throat and stomach, and react with some medications or supplements, including diuretics and insulin. To avoid this, always mix it into a glass of water and never take it on an empty stomach.

Cranberry Juice

People who are not big enthusiasts of manufactured drinks try natural cleansers. Cranberry juice detox cleanse drink is a classic example. Cranberry juice is perhaps one of the most suggested options, but alternative doctors and naturopaths only recommend it for general cleansing. It will not help the body get clean from addictive substances.

Its mixture of unsweetened cranberry juice and water will help flush the intestines, kidneys, and lymphatic system from toxins accumulated from dietary and environmental influences and is known to provide results within a week.

Fresh cranberry juice and cranberries.

However, this juice may interact with certain medications, including cyclosporine, diclofenac, amoxicillin, cefaclor, midazolam, and more. One primary concern is that cranberries may intensify the effects of a blood-thinning agent known as warfarin. People taking these medications should talk to a doctor before using cranberry as a detoxification drink.

Are Cleansing Drinks Effective?

While many think they are an excellent option for stoners looking for a quick fix when trying to pass a blood or urine test, they do not cleanse the same way as detox medications. Hence they do not give reliable solutions.

Some manufacturers of detox drinks for drug test even include chemicals that mask the presence of substances and their metabolites in bodily fluids. For example, an oxidant like nitrite or halogen can destroy the 6-MAM metabolite of heroin in the urine and prevent it from showing up on a test. However, according to experts and several other testing companies, this technique still does not help people pass a drug test.

Companies do a test for adulterants that can mask the presence of different substances in samples. If these chemicals are detected, the sample becomes invalid. Laboratories can also put the sample through additional testing to remove the adulterants and try to identify the substance that is being masked.

A detox cleanse drink cannot significantly alter the body’s metabolism to help people pass a drug test. Most are just sugary, colored water with some added vitamins and fancy design.

Detoxification in Rehab Facilities

The most significant demand for drug cleansing drinks comes from people trying to pass tests for employment, probation, and other requirements. Most common drinks contain vitamin C, niacin, lecithin, goldenseal, and various herbs, but none of these ingredients increase the body’s ability to detoxify from alcohol and other substances.

Trying to get completely clean from substance abuse can be difficult and dangerous without assistance.

Performing ultra rapid detoxification and detoxing at home by using untested products to pass a test is too risky. It is best to stick to chemical dependency treatment planning being offered by rehab facilities. How about seeking help at the facility during the day and returning home at night? That’s what outpatient detoxification is all about. It is preferred by many because it is more cost-effective, and it allows patients to keep up with familiar responsibilities while getting treated for substance abuse and addiction.

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Page Sources

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Published on: December 15th, 2016

Updated on: March 15th, 2024

About Author

Isaak Stotts, LP

Isaak Stotts is an in-house medical writer in AddictionResource. Isaak learned addiction psychology at Aspen University and got a Master's Degree in Arts in Psychology and Addiction Counseling. After graduation, he became a substance abuse counselor, providing individual, group, and family counseling for those who strive to achieve and maintain sobriety and recovery goals.

Medically Reviewed by

Michael Espelin APRN

8 years of nursing experience in wide variety of behavioral and addition settings that include adult inpatient and outpatient mental health services with substance use disorders, and geriatric long-term care and hospice care.  He has a particular interest in psychopharmacology, nutritional psychiatry, and alternative treatment options involving particular vitamins, dietary supplements, and administering auricular acupuncture.

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