There are many factors to consider when undergoing a pre- Employment Drug Test procedure. First of all, it’s essential to know what the course includes. The process involves testing hair, urine, saliva, and blood. Then, you’ll see if you’ll be asked to take a second test.
Hair Testing
Hair testing is integral to a pre-employment drug screening near you and can reveal whether a candidate has used drugs within the past 90 days. The test is done by collecting a sample of hair from the head of a person, typically 1.5 inches long. The hair is usually organized as close to the scalp as possible. The hair is tested for drugs like cocaine and amphetamines and can be a good indicator of current drug use.
A hair test can also help determine the frequency of drug use. Hair follicle tests can detect even infrequent use of drugs, such as marijuana. The test also has the added benefit of seeing the use of drugs within 5 days. While employees are not required to submit to drug tests, a refusal may result in dismissal. The DOT currently uses urine drug tests but is considering implementing a hair testing procedure.
Urine Testing
There are several reasons urine testing may be performed during pre-employment drug testing. The primary reason for the test is to ensure that a candidate is drug-free before starting a new job. A urine test can detect many different types of drugs. An employee usually must provide a urine sample at a designated facility.
Urine testing is a standard drug testing method, particularly in industries with high safety standards, such as the transportation industry. In addition to detecting illegal substances like cocaine, weed, and heroin, urine screening is also helpful in detecting other substances such as nicotine and cotinine.
Saliva Testing
Saliva testing is a convenient way to check for drug use. Saliva swabs are collected right away, which means fewer false-negative results. The method is also easy to administer on-site. This is why it is an excellent choice for on-duty screenings.
The test itself takes three to five minutes. Depending on the drug, it can take longer than usual, especially if the employee has a dry mouth. However, the test results are generally accurate. It is also faster and more accurate than urine tests. This means that an employee with a dry mouth may have a higher chance of giving positive results.
Saliva testing is also used to screen for methamphetamine, an amphetamine commonly used as a street drug. Methamphetamine is an amphetamine that can be injected, smoked, snorted, or ingested. This drug is often cultivated in illicit labs and is more potent than cocaine. It stays in the body much longer than cocaine, and saliva swabs can detect it for up to four days.
Blood Testing
While most pre-employment drug testing procedures include urinalysis, some employers also use blood tests, breathalyzer tests, and hair tests. These tests are most commonly used to screen for illegal drugs like marijuana and cocaine. However, the tests may also screen for legal drugs like amphetamines and PCP.
While drug testing may not accurately detect if a person is impaired by drugs, it can help companies reduce turnover and improve morale. In addition, drug testing can help companies decrease absenteeism, theft, and in-office drug use. Additionally, collecting urine and blood for drug testing is a minimally invasive process and can be conducted in a medically safe environment.
Random drug testing takes place without notice, and subjects are randomly chosen from a group of employees. This method is less likely to cause anxiety and is preferred by employees. Random drug tests can be conducted annually or periodically for a set period. Periodic testing is also used when employees return from extended absence or rehabilitation.
Sweat Testing
Sweat testing can help employers detect drugs in the body, but it has limitations. The limited detection window for urine means that a sweat test may miss some drug use. However, it is still permissible when it is conducted with reasonable suspicion or with cause. Sweat testing as part of the pre-employment drug testing procedure should be performed only if the employee is suspected of violating company policy.
Sweat tests are more effective than urine tests in detecting drug metabolites. They are more convenient and less invasive than urine tests and may also have a longer detection window. While urine testing has been the standard drug screening method for two decades, sweat testing could become the more accurate, less intrusive drug testing method. Sweat tests can also detect traces of substances in a person’s body that aren’t excreted in the urine.