The demand for drug testing is at a high now with the never-ending social issue of dependence on illicit drugs. In particular, workplaces often order pre-employment and random drug testing to ensure their workplace is safe and drug-free. On top of that, court-mandated drug testing is also typical in family court cases, particularly for custody battles. Routine drug tests are required, particularly when applying for government IDs like your driver’s license. So, it’s safe to say that one way or another, you might have already tried at least one type of drug testing in the past.
When choosing a drug testing method, accuracy and detection window are the most important factors you must consider. Moreover, you have to factor in the purpose of the drug test. Whatever the case, it’s worth knowing what the options are when you find yourself taking the test yourself or asking someone to do it.
With that said, in this article, you’ll learn four common drug testing methods and when and how they’re used.
- Hair Testing
Hair testing is one of the most reliable methods of drug testing for one good reason: there’s no way to game the system. The laboratory employee or examiner removes a strand of hair and submits the same as the specimen. Fortunately, testing clinics like Lextox and other facilities near your area can also provide hair testing on top of other tests they provide. But why should you get hair testing?
For one, hair testing has the longest detection method. It can still identify traces of substance use even 90 days after the last use. This is why hair testing is the preferred method when trying to prove habitual use in court cases involving drug-related crimes. The results of hair drug testing are accurate and can identify the types of drugs taken, for how long, and when the last use was.
Hair follicle testing is ideal but not always used since it’s one of the pricier testing methods. Complications can also arise when the hair specimen isn’t too long or if the person subjected to the drug test doesn’t have hair at the moment.
- Urine Testing
Urinalysis is perhaps the most common and most popular drug testing method. The reasons for its widespread use are because how easy it is to collect the specimen and how cost-effective it is. Likewise, a urinalysis can also detect a wide range of narcotics and any prescription medication the individual takes.
Along that line, urine drug testing can identify substances such as the following:
- Amphetamine
- Hydrocodone/hydromorphone
- Methamphetamine
- Oxycodone/oxymorphone
- Marijuana metabolite
- Propoxyphene
- Cocaine
- Methadone
- Opiates
- Benzodiazepine
However, the only downside to this is that many have also learned how to cheat a urine test. However, examiners are aware of these. They balance other results shown on the urinalysis, like the pH level and creatinine, to show whether or not the specimen has been tampered with. If there’s doubt to a specimen, then a re-test can always be ordered.
- Saliva Testing
Urine testing might be the most popular drug testing method, but saliva testing comes close. Saliva testing is also quite popular simply because it’s less invasive. Moreover, cheating on a saliva test is difficult, as the laboratory technician takes the specimen.
However, one downside with saliva testing is that it can only detect very recent drug use. This means its might not be as reliable as other methods. For instance, with cannabinoids, you’re looking at a time frame of at least 4 to 10 hours. So, if the suspected drug use is from a few days ago, you might want to order a different drug testing method instead.
- Blood Testing
Blood testing might be the most invasive method on this list. Nonetheless, it’s usually the preferred method in emergencies. Along with detecting drugs, a blood test can also detect the level of alcohol (ethanol) in the bloodstream to determine precise levels. That way, proper treatment can be given to the patient in a medical emergency, such as an overdose.
Final Thoughts
Remember that the type of drug testing method one may be asked to go through is never absolute. Essentially, this depends on the need, laws concerning the preferred and acceptable methods, and, in some cases, the availability of the test. The test can also vary based on the type of substance being screened.
The bottom line is that drug test results are given full trust and credibility, given the very low likelihood of errors. If you’re asked to have one or need someone to have one done, have it done by a reputable drug testing facility.
