What happens if you fail a Walgreens drug test?
Asked by: Kevin Goldner | Last update: May 19, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (3 votes)
Failing a drug test at Walgreens generally results in the immediate withdrawal of a job offer for prospective employees or termination for current employees. Walgreens typically uses oral swab tests for hiring, but may use urine tests for certain positions.
Do you have to pass a drug test to work at Walgreens?
Yes, Walgreens does drug test, typically requiring new hires to pass a pre-employment screening, which can be a urine or swab test, as a condition for employment for most roles. They may also conduct random drug tests during employment, and while they sell various at-home tests, their hiring process includes mandatory testing for all positions.
Can you still get a job with a failed drug test?
FAQ About Failing a Job Drug Test
Yes, it's still possible to find work after a failed test. Many employers value honesty and personal growth, especially if you take steps to address the issue through treatment or counseling. A setback does not define your career.
What are the consequences of a failed drug test?
A failed drug test can lead to losing a job offer or being fired, but consequences vary by employer, industry, and location, potentially including mandatory treatment, suspension, or legal penalties (like jail/fines) in court-mandated cases, while also affecting future job prospects and potentially triggering a return-to-duty process for safety-sensitive roles like DOT drivers.
How sensitive are Walgreens drug tests?
The accuracy of these tests can vary significantly based on several factors including the type of test used, the timing of the test in relation to substance use, and even individual metabolism. Most over-the-counter (OTC) drug tests from pharmacies like Walgreens claim an accuracy rate between 90% to 99%.
Can A Dilute Sample Make You Fail A Drug Test?
What's the fastest way to clean your system for a drug test?
No, there is no quick fix to get rid of all traces of drugs in either your blood, urine, hair or sweat within 1 day. While some drugs leave your system faster than others, there's no proven safe method to get all signs of drug use out of your system within 24 hours or less.
What is Walgreens' controlled substance policy?
Walgreens' controlled substance policy centers on strict compliance with DEA regulations, requiring pharmacists to verify legitimate medical purpose, often using tools like Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), and performing due diligence on "red flag" prescriptions (like early refills or forged scripts) to prevent diversion, involving pharmacist training and procedures for contacting prescribers for more info, with recent legal settlements highlighting the company's focus on these efforts.
What will throw off a urine drug test?
Over-the-counter meds (like decongestants, anti-inflammatories), some prescription drugs (antidepressants, antibiotics), foods (poppy seeds), and even certain supplements can cause false positives, while trying to tamper with the sample using substances like vinegar or bleach can lead to a rejected sample due to obvious pH or temperature changes, with adulterants like glutaraldehyde being specifically used to create false negatives. Diluting with excessive water can also trigger a failed test, and CBD products can sometimes contain THC, causing a positive.
Will I go to jail if I fail my first drug test?
Jail time is possible after a failed drug test, but it's not always the court's first choice, especially for first-time violations.
Is my life over if I fail a drug test?
Failing a drug test can have serious consequences depending on the context. In employment, it can lead to job loss or termination of a job offer. For students, it can result in academic suspension or expulsion. In legal situations like probation or parole, it can lead to legal repercussions, including jail time.
Is it worse to fail a drug test or refuse?
DOT test refusals are treated the same as failures in most cases. While some differences exist for pre-employment DOT drug test refusals vs. others, refusing a test can interfere with your career and subject you to the DOT return-to-duty process.
What to say if you fail a drug test?
Speak to your employer
It's vital to be completely transparent about any medications you are taking or any substances you may have ingested. Provide any documentation from your doctor regarding your prescription medication. Provide the test administrator with as much information as possible to allow for a retest.
Will future employers know if I failed a drug test?
Most private companies keep such results confidential. However, in industries regulated by bodies like the Department of Transportation (DOT), failed drug tests are recorded in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and accessible to future employers for up to five years.
What type of drug test does Walgreens do?
Walgreens utilizes urine tests that are typically thorough and accurate. Urine drug tests check for the following commonly abused substances: Marijuana (THC). Depending on the frequency of usage, urine tests can detect marijuana use anywhere from 3 days to up to 30 days after use.
Can you still get hired after failing a drug test?
However, refusing to provide consent to the FMCSA Clearinghouse will prevent you from performing safety-sensitive job duties. Can I Get a Job After Failing a Pre-Employment Drug Test? Yes, you can still get a DOT-regulated job after failing a pre-employment drug test—but only after completing the RTD process.
What is the hiring process for Walgreens?
The interview process at Walgreens typically begins with an initial phone screening interview. This is followed by an in-person interview with a recruiter. In-person interviews typically consist of a series of one-on-one interviews with different recruiting members.
How bad is it to fail a drug test?
A positive drug test can significantly impact your employment status. In some cases, it may lead to job loss or demotion. Employers must legally maintain a safe workplace, especially in safety-sensitive positions. Understanding these implications can help you prepare for the possible outcomes.
Does a failed drug test go on my record?
In most cases, failed drug tests do not appear on background checks. Privacy laws, such as HIPAA, protect medical information from being shared without an individual's consent, and employers, especially in private companies, typically do not disclose such results.
Can you fight a failed drug test?
If yes, you should know how to dispute a false positive drug test. You can take steps to argue the findings, such as establishing why you received a false positive result. You might also ask the employer to re-test. In this post, we explain drug testing in the workplace.
How can I speed up drug elimination?
To speed up drug elimination, focus on supporting your body's natural processes by staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet, and exercising, which helps flush toxins and boosts metabolism, but remember abstinence is key, and extreme "detox" products aren't foolproof and can be risky; medical guidance is best for serious substance issues. For certain drug poisonings, doctors might use IV fluids, alter urine pH (e.g., with sodium bicarbonate for weak acids like aspirin), or use specific medications to enhance elimination.
Can a lab test detect fake pee?
Yes, labs can detect synthetic urine, but it's a constant "arms race" as manufacturers improve products; detection often relies on looking for specific human markers (like urobilin, creatinine, pH, specific gravity) or the absence of expected natural components, using advanced techniques like mass spectrometry, though older tests might miss sophisticated fakes. Direct observation during collection remains a key deterrent.
What can clear pee for a drug test?
Drinking two or three 12-ounce glasses of water at the same time can produce 10-fold diluted urine within only half an hour and the dilution effect may last for hours. In most cases, this will successfully lower the concentration of some drugs (mainly marijuana) in the urine enough to produce a negative test result.
Do you need to pass a drug test to work at Walgreens?
Yes, Walgreens does drug test, typically requiring new hires to pass a pre-employment screening, which can be a urine or swab test, as a condition for employment for most roles. They may also conduct random drug tests during employment, and while they sell various at-home tests, their hiring process includes mandatory testing for all positions.
What is the 28-day rule at Walgreens?
It refers to the number of days you may need to wait between refills of 30-day prescriptions that are considered controlled substances. If you have a medication that follows the 28-day rule on a 30-day supply, it means you can get a refill no earlier than 2 days before the 30 days are up.
What is the Walgreens drug scandal?
Walgreens has agreed to pay up to $350 million in a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, who accused the pharmacy of illegally filling millions of prescriptions in the last decade for opioids and other controlled substances.