Exploring Different Types of Drug Testing: A Comprehensive Guide

Drug testing uses a sample of your body fluid to detect the presence of illegal drugs and some prescription medications you may be misusing. Drug tests can’t determine your level of impairment or whether you have a substance use disorder.

The most popular approach for drug testing is a urine test. An immunoassay is used, and the results are confirmed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

Urine

Urine tests determine if drugs like marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or prescription medications have been taken. It can also detect alcohol and other illegal substances. Many people take a urine drug test when applying for a job or have been involved in an accident.

One of the types of drug testing most frequently utilized is a urine test, which is also used by sports organizations, professional and collegiate players, and employers for post-accident or random employee testing. Screening for many different illicit substances and misuse or abuse of medication that a doctor has prescribed can be done quickly and for a reasonable price with this method.

An easy and painless process is a urine drug test. Urine is obtained from you and put into a special cup that can be taped shut to prevent tampering. Generally, the administrator will tell you to wash your hands and genital area before taking the sample. It is crucial to collect a volume of at least 30 mL for the test results to be accurate.

Saliva

Saliva (oral fluid) drug testing is becoming more popular because it can be administered quickly and on the spot. It involves swabbing the inside of the mouth with a clean swab. The sample is then delivered to a lab for evaluation.

In most cases, the results are accessible immediately. Some tests can detect various drugs, including amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, and heroin. Other commonly used substances include opiates, phencyclidine (PCP), and methadone. Some tests can even detect traces of MDMA, also known as molly or ecstasy.

The detection window for most of the above substances in saliva is between 5-48 hours. Frequent use of some medicines can change this window. The kind of medication taken, how long it has been since the last dose, and the subject’s body size can affect these tests. These factors can cause false positive or negative results. A lab should conduct confirmation tests on positive POCT saliva results before making disciplinary decisions.

Hair

Drug testing for hair is popular in many workplaces. It can detect drug use for up to 90 days. It is an excellent option for pre-employment screening. Courts also use it for probation.

A sample is taken close to the scalp and sent to a lab for analysis. It is tested for drug metabolites with an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test and confirmed with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. A positive result means the individual has been taking drugs in the past three months.

Hair testing could be better, though. It is influenced by the shampoo and styling products used, the amount of sweating, skin pigmentation, and hair bleach. Some detox shampoos claim to eliminate toxins and help pass drug tests, but they are only sometimes practical. A better way to beat a drug test is to abstain from all substances. Detox drinks can also be purchased, but they require strict compliance to work.

Blood

Only a small percentage of employers do blood drug testing since it is so invasive, and they typically only do so when there is solid evidence that performance or safety may be at risk. Like hair and saliva tests, the test requires a sample of your blood to be taken by a phlebotomist (blood technician).

Once a drug enters your body, the liver and other organs break it down into different chemicals called metabolites, which then leave your body, mainly through urine. A urine drug test detects these metabolites.

Urine testing is the most popular drug test and can be done in a worker’s home or at a location provided by their employer. The urine sample is sealed in a container and sent to the laboratory for screening. The procedure adheres to a tight chain of custody to guarantee that the specimen has not been tampered with or adulterated.

Urine drug testing can detect a wide range of drugs. It can be used to screen for cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants such as methylamphetamine (“speed”) or MDMA (“ecstasy”), opiates, phencyclidine (PCP), barbiturates, alcohol, and benzodiazepines.

Perspiration

Detection of drugs from perspiration relies on the fact that drugs are excreted through sweat. This test is used primarily for probation cases, child custody cases, and by employers in safety-critical jobs who have a zero-tolerance policy for illegal drug use. Medicines used by regular users will appear in a person’s work several days after use.

This method can substitute for random tests and be employed after an incident or accident to determine whether drugs are a contributing factor. It involves a pad worn for a while to absorb the drug-related chemicals. The pillow is then analyzed for the presence of different drugs.

The earliest sweat tests were occlusive and required workers to wear the pads on their hands or feet for long periods. More recent devices are less invasive and can be applied to the skin for a shorter duration. Positive results require a review by a medical review officer who will interview the individual and examine their medical history. To confirm the accuracy of the outcome, the MRO will also analyze workplace norms and procedures and federal regulations.