Nicotine leaves the body fairly quickly, so screening for cotinine is a good way to detect tobacco use.It takes about a week for cotinine to stay in your system.If you want to keep going with what you've started, you can learn to give yourself the best chance to pass these screens.
Step 1: Make sure the tobacco test is legal.
More than half of the states in the United States have provisions in place that prevent employers from establishing hiring practices or incorporating punishment based on your activities outside of work, including tobacco use, even though South Carolina is the only state that has completely banned tobacco screens.You don't need to submit for a tobacco screen if you live in one of the states with these provisions.There is a state-by-state breakdown of tobacco screening laws.
Step 2: Understand how the screen works.
Screening for cotinine is one of the things that "Tobacco tests" are usually done for.nicotine has a primary metabolite of cotinine.Cotinine has a longer half-life than nicotine, and is usually present for up to a week.The half-life of cotinine is 15 hours, meaning that half of the trace leaves your body every 16 hours.If you're a light smoker, most of it should be gone in 48 hours, depending on how much you smoke.Smokeless tobacco and e-cigarettes are tested by Cotinine.
Step 3: All kinds of tobacco should be stopped at least 7 days before the test.
With the right combination of techniques, you can be confident that you will pass if you stop using nicotine 3-4 days before.You can learn how to quit in the next section.If you smoke more than a pack a day, you may need to quit before your test.It can never hurt to stop earlier.If you're a social smoker, or only smoke occasionally, you should be fine if you quit a few days before the test.
Step 4: You can flush out your system by drinking diuretics.
If you have to pass a urine screen and you're worried about cutting it close, increase the amount of fluids you drink throughout the day.Drink water that is plain.It's a good idea to drink as much as two liters per day, or about half a gallon.It is a good idea to drink warm water with lemon in it.Warm water with garlic, leeks, or ginger will help break it up.The ginger, dandelion root, and juniper in herbal tea are believed to have natural diuretic properties.Drink a lot of cranberry juice.Most commercial drinks are low in cranberry juice and high in sugar and apple.Try to get cranberry juice that's 100% cranberry for the best effect.
Step 5: Don't spend money on "detox" drinks.
If you go to a head shop, you can find a variety of expensive beverages that will guarantee you pass any drug or tobacco screen and keep smoking.You should read the ingredients.These drinks are usually just some combination of fruit juices and electrolytes that you'll pay an arm and a leg for, which won't be any more effective than drinks you can get for free, or for less.Don't throw money away on these drinks, use some smarts.
Step 6: Second-hand smoke is to blame.
If trace amounts show up on your screen, it is possible to blame a smoky bar, smoky band practice, or other possible second-hand smoke encounters, although this may conflict with prior questionnaire information that you may have filled out in anticipation of the test.The majority of cotinine screens are done in the workplace.You can usually get out of it with an excuse like this.You won't be able to blame second-hand smoke for the higher amounts if you smoke on the day of the test.You need to stop for a few days.
Step 7: Try to stop before you quit.
If you're aware of the test ahead of time, you should reduce your usage as much as possible.If you use less tobacco over the next two weeks, you'll be able to take it easier on your body.This will make it much more likely that you will quit.If you want to reduce your tobacco use, try smoking or using less tobacco every day.You should start when you find out about the test.If you're aware of the test, use the gum or patches as quickly as possible to address the psychological addiction.
Step 8: There is a ten minute delay.
Wait if you want to smoke.Don't give up right away.Do something else for ten minutes.It won't be as bad as you think.Re-examine your craving at the end of that ten minutes.You should prolong the amount of time you delay each one as you work to quit.The more you control the cravings, the more manageable they will become.
Step 9: Expect withdrawal symptoms.
If you're a moderate to heavy user of nicotine, cutting it off abruptly will cause a variety of physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms.They may be mild or severe depending on your usage.The first three days will be bad.You'll probably have a headaches, and have trouble sleeping.It will get easier once you get through the first three days.The test will flag this cotinine in your system so you won't be able to use nicotine replacements during the week leading up to the test.You have to be off nicotine completely before the test.
Step 10: For now, avoid triggering.
If you regularly have a cigarette with a cup of coffee, or during your break at work, identify those situations so you can better anticipate them and prepare for them, either avoiding them entirely or finding a suitable replacement.Try jogging on your break, or have a cup of tea instead of coffee, as an experiment for the week.You can replace the habit if you don't want to.If you have a cup of coffee, try chewing a cinnamon toothpick, or having a snack.While you're trying to go without nicotine, don't be afraid to indulge in other areas.If you feel like eating, have a snack.Don't smoke.
Step 11: It's a good idea to get into some exercise.
Getting some light to moderate exercise is a great way of making cigarettes seem unattractive for the time being.Taking a week to sweat instead of smoke will help make the cravings less severe, but you don't have to start running marathons.Start with 15-20 minutes of light exercise, like stretching or walking.If you feel good the next day, you can play basketball, play soccer, or work out on a treadmill on the internet.Exercising will give you the added benefit of working out any aggression you might be feeling, as well as helping you to sleep better.
Step 12: Don't stop going with it.
You already know that smoking is bad, and you don't need to be lectured on it by someone else.It was fair enough.Since you have to quit for a couple days anyway, a screen like this is the perfect opportunity to give up.What do you have to lose?Try to stop for the rest of the month.Do you enjoy a cigarette?Is it no longer attractive all of a sudden?If you're trying to get a job and they test you regularly for nicotine, it will be like living in fear that the hammer will fall.
Step 13: Discuss nicotine replacement therapy with your doctor.
If you want to stay quit after a week, you should talk to your doctor about using nicotine replacement therapy.Bupropion and varenicline are proven to be effective.Nicotine gum, patches, and other nicotine supplements can be very effective in helping to cut back or quit completely.