Everyone at some point in their lives will submit to a drug test. It might be for employment, certifications, or sometimes even probation.
Depending on why you’re being tested different methods of drug testing may be used. These can be urine tests, blood tests, and hair tests just to name a few.
Each test has a different set of drugs that they can detect. They also have different time ranges they can detect.
Some are more suited to the needs of an employer trying to keep a drug free workplace or a corrections officer trying to keep an offender clean.
Here are the different types of drug tests and how they can help you.
Urine Testing
Urine testing is by far the most utilized type of drug test. These are typically five-panel drug tests, meaning they will show you if those five specific drugs are in that sample.
These tests are good for testing up to ninety days prior to the test depending on the type of drug. These are most often used for those on probation or involved in child custody cases.
Saliva Testing
Saliva testing is a simple swab that’s placed inside the mouth. It then tests for drugs consumed in the last twelve to twenty-four hours.
This type of test is great for employers wanting to implement a drug-free workplace testing system. By knowing your rights, you can use these to test employees under reasonable suspicion. These types of tests can be stored in an office and are easy to administer.
Blood Testing
This type of test is always performed at a hospital or a clinic for obvious reasons. These tests can trace nearly every type of drug up to six hours after consumption.
Blood tests are often administered after car accidents to determine if the involved parties were intoxicated.
Hair Follicle Testing
This form of testing is usually court-ordered to monitor those on probation or parole. These are very thorough and accurate testing measures. A hair follicle test can give you an idea of every substance that a person uses within the last six months.
These tests may be accurate and hard to cheat, but they can be very expensive.
Sweat Tests
This is a relatively new type of drug test. These are another popular option for those on probation. These tests are administered through a patch that stays on for two weeks.
These tests measure what substances the person used while wearing the patch, giving a good look at personal habits and how much they use.
Learn More About the Different Types of Drug Tests With Us
We hope you enjoyed this short guide to different types of drug tests. If you found any of this information helpful be sure to share it with your friends and colleagues on social media.
Don’t forget to check out our other great articles like this one on our blog.
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