Drug tests are used to detect the presence of drugs in the body. Drug tests have been a common practice in law enforcement for many years. However, employers have begun to incorporate drug tests into their hiring processes. There are a variety of drug tests that can be administered depending on the time and resources available.
Urine Tests
Urine tests are the most common method of drug testing. Urine tests are administered by obtaining a urine sample from the subject. Urine tests are considered an intrusive method of testing, meaning that the samples can more easily be contaminated or the results can be affected by the testing process. The temperature of the urine is tested to ensure that it was genuinely produced at the time of testing and that the subject did not try to interrupt the testing process through dishonest means. Urine tests are the least expensive tests and can be administered at home. Urine tests are generally effective in detecting evidence of drug use during the week prior to testing. Urine tests are susceptible to the effects of a subject abstaining from drug use in an attempt to control the results.
Blood Tests
Blood tests are the least common method of drug tests because they are the most expensive, according to Erowid.com. However, blood tests are heralded as the most accurate form of a drug test. Blood tests are administered by obtaining a blood sample from the subject and assessing the samples to detect evidence of drug use. Blood tests are also considered an intrusive method of drug testing and can detect recent drug use.
Hair Strand Tests
Hair strand tests are more expensive than urine tests but less expensive than blood tests. Hair strand tests are administered by obtaining several strands of hair, similar to the diameter of a pencil. Hair strands must be at least 1.5 inches in length. Hair strand tests are considered unobtrusive methods of treatment because it is difficult to alter any traces of drugs present in the hair strands. The results of hair strand tests are not affected by a subject's deliberate abstinence, and this test can identify whether a subject has abstained within a recent period of time.
