Some sources claim that you can use baking soda to hide evidence of substance use from a drug screen. This baking soda drug test theory can’t actually work, can it?
The “Baking Soda to Beat a Drug Test” Theory
If you spend much time searching online for ways to beat a drug screen, you will eventually encounter the baking soda drug test theory. Here’s a quick rundown of that theory:
- Consuming baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) will increase the acidity of your urine.
- Elevating the pH level of your urine this way will mask the presence of certain drugs.
Did we mention that it’s not a particularly complex theory?
In some cases, simple solutions are the best ones. As we will discuss in the next section, this is not one of those cases.
How to Pass a Urine Drug Test With Baking Soda: Fact or Fiction?
Now that we’ve outlined the baking soda drug test theory, let’s turn our attention toward two important questions: Does it work, and is it safe?
The short answer to both of these questions is: Not really.
Here are some of the many problems with consuming baking soda in an attempt to pass a drug test that you would otherwise fail:
- Sodium bicarbonate might prevent methamphetamine and some other amphetamines from showing up on a urine test. If you’ve been using other drugs, or if you’re taking another type of drug screen, baking soda is unlikely to increase your chances of passing the test.
- It can be difficult to know how much baking soda to take to hide the presence of meth in your urine.
- Even if you consume the “right” amount of baking soda, you will be submitting a urine sample that is unnaturally high in sodium bicarbonate. Drug testing companies are aware that some people may try to beat their screens this way, and have adjusted their tests to note adulterants like this.
- In most cases, this will result in your urine being discarded. This means that you will have to submit another sample.
Also, while ingesting a small amount of baking soda isn’t likely to cause health problems, consuming too much can lead to several adverse outcomes, such as:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Constipation or diarrhea
- High blood pressure
- Dehydration
- Elevated blood sodium levels
- Low blood potassium levels
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Kidney damage
- Seizure
In severe cases, consuming too much baking soda can even lead to bleeding in the brain.
To summarize: The baking soda drug test theory is unlikely to work. However, it can expose you to considerable physical harm.
Is Faking a Drug Test Illegal?
The legality of trying to fake a drug test can depend on why you’re taking the test.
For example, if you are taking a home test to prove to a loved one that you haven’t been using drugs, faking the results isn’t illegal – but it is unethical. It can undoubtedly damage your relationship.
If, on the other hand, you are required to complete a drug screen as a condition of your employment, or of you’re ordered to take such a test by a judge or probation officer, trying to fake the results could place you in legal jeopardy.
Does Trying to Fake a Drug Test Mean I Have a Problem With Drugs?
Trying to fake a drug test isn’t one of the criteria for addiction in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). But it can absolutely be a sign that you have developed a drug problem.
Addiction is characterized by an inability to control your substance use. This includes failing to stop using substances even after you have incurred some type of damage as a result of prior use. If you can’t stop using a drug long enough to pass a test, even though failing that test may cost you your job or violate your probation, that suggests you have become addicted to the substance.
The best way to know if you have a substance use disorder is to be assessed by a qualified professional. If you’re not convinced that you need to schedule an assessment, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you spend a substantial amount of time acquiring, using, and recovering from the effects of the substance?
- Once you start using the substance, do you frequently use more of it? Or, do you use it for a longer period of time than you intended?
- Has your substance use caused you to miss work or school, neglect to pay bills, or otherwise fail to take care of your responsibilities?
- Have you continued to use the substance even after incurring some type of harm – such as job loss, health issues, or legal problems – as a result of prior use?
- Do you need to consume more of the substance to experience effects you previously felt after using a smaller amount?
- Do you find it difficult to experience happiness or deal with setbacks without using the substance?
- Have you used the substance in ways that you know can be especially dangerous, such as by combining it with other drugs?
- When you try to stop using the substance, or if you’re prevented from using it for a day or two, do you develop withdrawal symptoms?
- Has a friend, colleague, or family member ever suggested to you that you might have a drug problem?
- Have you ever tried to stop using the drug, but discovered that you couldn’t?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it might be time to talk to a professional. Completing a thorough evaluation and receiving an accurate diagnosis can be vital. These are the first steps on the path toward a healthier, drug-free future.
Contact Phoenix Rising if You Think You May Need Help With Addiction Today
If you think you may have become addicted to alcohol or another drug, Phoenix Rising Recovery is here to help.
With one phone call, you can schedule a free, confidential addiction assessment. If this evaluation reveals that you have developed substance use disorder, we can develop a customized plan to help you end your drug use and achieve a healthier future in recovery.
There is no charge for the assessment. If your evaluation reveals that you need help, you won’t be under any obligation to choose our Palm Springs rehab. Our goal is to provide you with the information you need and help you understand your options. This is so you can make the right decisions about your treatment and your health.
To learn more or to schedule an assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.