Urine testing is usually the preferable type of drug test; however, saliva testing is growing in popularity due to certain advantages it has over other methods, such as urine or blood testing. Saliva tests are now used across the nation, from the workplace to the home with parents concerned about teenage drug use. This is largely due to the accessibility and simplicity of saliva drug testing kits.
Procedure
Saliva tests are performed using an instrument similar to a toothbrush that has a collection swab on the end instead of bristles. The collection swab is rubbed against the inside of your mouth, between the gums and the inner cheek tissue to obtain a sample. The person being sampled should not be allowed anything in their mouth (such as food or gum) before the test, as it may affect the results. Most testing kits come with a testing card or testing device that detects the presence of the illicit substances in the sample. These devices allow for instant test results (within 12 to 15 minutes). Some testing kits may still require that you send the sample swab to a testing facility to be evaluated by a medical technologist or lab technician.
Detectable Substances
Saliva drug testing is able to detect all of the most commonly abused drug substances including: THC (marijuana), cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, opiates (including heroin and prescription opiates) and phencyclidine (PCP). Before purchasing a test, it is important to ensure that the kit is designed to test for the substance you are testing for, as some test kits only test for one specific illicit substance, while others test for multiple substances.
Cost
Saliva drug testing kits can be purchase for between $10 and $15. This makes the kit accessible and cost effective for either the home or the workplace. When purchasing a saliva drug test, look for testing kits that meet SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) regulations.
Advantages
Saliva testing has many advantages over traditional testing methods. Saliva testing allows for direct supervision during specimen sampling and takes samples in the least intrusive way. Saliva testing is also substantially cheaper to perform and can be done anywhere at anytime without a bathroom or phlebotomist present. Saliva tests also can be performed and interpreted by any regular person, removing the need and cost of a trained professional.
Disadvantages
Saliva drug testing also comes with disadvantages compared to other drug testing. First, the test only detects recent drug use and cannot show the drug history of an individual. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, saliva drug testing is also not approved for federally mandated drug testing.
