1. Most Drug Testing Falls Into One of Three Categories
Some employers require all of their potential new employees to take and pass a drug test before they start work. These tests are usually part of a drug-free workplace program, and employers who give these tests reserve the right not to hire anyone who fails a test. Random testing is used by many different types of institutions, such as schools, businesses, sports teams, prisons and drug treatment centers. The person tested can be selected in numerous ways, such as having her name picked out of a hat or randomly generated by a computer. This method of testing is often criticized for targeting specific people. Some employers require an employee to take a drug test after an accident to find out if the accident was in any way influenced by substance use. This is the least common type of drug test.
2. Urine Tests are the Most Popular Kind of Drug Test
Urine tests are the cheapest and most common type of drug tests. Overall, urine tests are considered accurate and reliable. Results of a urine test can be determined immediately or sent to a lab to be analyzed later. If an immediately evaluated test comes out positive, it is usually sent to a lab for confirmation. The tests that are analyzed immediately are the ones more commonly used in pre-employment tests, even though they are less accurate than those evaluated in labs. A major criticism of urine tests is that results can easily be faked through sample substitution or adulteration.
3. Different Drugs Remain in Urine for Different Periods of Time
The type of drug, quantity ingested and regularity of use determine how long it will remain in your urine. For example, occasional marijuana use will show up in a urine test for two to seven days, but heavy use over a prolonged amount of time can remain in urine for up to two months. Most drug use can be detected through urinalysis for only a few days. Cocaine can be detected up to four days and heroin for about two days after use.
4. Other Types of Drug Tests are Also Accurate
Hair tests are considered highly reliable. As your hair grows, any drug you've used is encased in the hair shaft. Long hair can be tested for drug use over a longer period of time then short hair. Drug tests on hair usually go back three months and are considered very dependable. Body hair can be substituted for head hair, so shaving your head will not excuse you from this type of test. Saliva and sweat can also be used to detect drug use.
5. Drug Tests Cannot Reveal Current Drug Use
Drug tests are designed to identify recent drug use, but most cannot reveal current drug use. Drugs usually do not show up in urine for at least six to eight hours. It takes two weeks for drug to show up in hair and seven days to show up in sweat.
