Urine, Hair and Alcohol Drug Testing
What is Drug Testing?
Drug testing is defined as the evaluation of a urine, hair, blood, oral saliva, finger nails or other type of biological sample which is used to determine if an individual has been using the drug or drugs in question.
What are some reasons to conduct drug testing?
- Pre-employment drug testing- This type of drug testing is often used when applying for a job, especially for positions that may involve federal transportation, public transportation, airline industries, railways, hospitals or any other workplace where public safety is of the utmost importance.Furthermore, workplace drug testing has become more common for many U.S. employers. Employers are utilizing drug testing in an effort to lessen the impact from drug abuse, safety concerns, and low productivity in the workplace.
- Random Drug Testing- This type of testing is referred to as random or spot drug testing. It is recommended that a random drug testing program utilize a scientific random selection process where everyone has an equal chance of being selected for the random drug test. Some examples include: using a random-number table or a computer-based random number generator that’s traceable to a specific employee. The most important factor is to be sure to use a scientifically valid method to select employees for testing.Employers who utilize a computerized random selection process will ensure that there is no bias and that all employees have an equal chance of being selected, regardless if individuals have been drug tested recently. Implementing a random drug testing program is a more effective method to detect and deter drug use and should be used in conjunction with pre-employment testing.
Listed below are several other reasons an individual or employer may wish to conduct drug testing.
- Reasonable Suspicion drug testing to identify on-the-job drug use or abuse.
- Post-accident drug testing – a vehicular or on-the-job accident which may have involved human error and resulted in casualties or property damage.
- Safety-related drug testing – if an employee’s job could lead to safety issues if judgement or physical ability were impaired.
- College or professional athletic drug testing.
- Court Ordered
- Probation
- Family Related
- Personal Reasons
What types of laboratory tests are used for drug testing?
The Department of Transportation (DOT) and all Federally Regulated drug testing requires that all urine specimens are analyzed at drug testing laboratories certified by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and that they are tested to determine the presence of drugs. These HHS/SAMHSA Certified Laboratories (HHS lab link) also conduct specimen validity testing to determine if the specimen has been adulterated or substituted.
Although there are no regulations with regards to drug testing in the private sector, it is important to ensure that the drug testing analysis occurs at a reputable and certified laboratory.
How Can You Schedule a Drug Test?
Schedule a Drug Test offers many different types of drug testing, such as urine testing, hair testing, breath alcohol, and specialty testing. We can test for hundreds of different types of drugs, alcohol, and unknown substances. When you order a test through Schedule a Drug Test, you can rest assured you are in good hands. We only use SAMHSA certified labs and all of our laboratory-based testing is signed off by an MRO (Medical Review Officer). Our drug testing centers are here to provide you with the highest quality testing for all major drugs, as well as any less common drugs you may need testing for.
We are able to offer urine, hair, alcohol and specialty testing at our 10,000+ collection sites nationwide. We are conveniently located in almost every city in the United States, and ordering a test is always quick and easy.
Whether you are looking to send an employee for a pre-employment test or you have to perform a court-ordered test, we would be glad to help you out. Our SAMHSA certified labs will follow proper procedures to ensure that all of our tests are valid. We also offer services to ensure that you are in compliance with the Department of Transportation, specifically DOT 5 panel urine tests and breath-alcohol testing.
Don’t see the drugs or panel you are in need of? No problem. Call our office today to have your panel custom made and get tested right away.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drug and Alcohol Testing
Drug detection factors
The length of time that a drug is detectable in the system depends on a variety of factors, including:
- the type of test
- dose
- tolerance
- potency
- metabolism
- the existence of medical conditions
Drug detection times
Please use these figures as a guide only:
- Alcohol: 3-5 days in urine, 10-12 hours in blood
- Amphetamines: 1-3 days in urine and around 12 hours in blood
- Barbiturates: 2-4 days in urine and 1-2 days in blood
- Benzodiazepines: 3-6 weeks in urine and 2-3 days in blood
- Cannabis: 7-30 days in urine and up to 2 weeks in blood
- Cocaine: 3-4 days in urine and 1-2 days in blood
- Codeine: 1 day in urine and up to 12 hours in blood
- Heroin: 3-4 days in urine and up to 12 hours in blood
- LSD: 1-3 days in urine and up to 2-3 hours in blood
- MDMA (ecstasy): 3-4 days in urine and 1-2 days in blood
- Methamphetamine (crystal meth): 3-6 days in urine and 24 – 72 hours in blood
- Methadone: 3-4 days in urine and 24-36 hours in blood
- Morphine: 2-3 days in urine and 6-8 hours in blood
Drug detection in hair
Drugs or their metabolites may be detectable in hair. Hair grows at a rate of approximately 1cm per month so depending on the length of hair it may be possible to determine drug use over recent months.
A urine drug test, also known as a urine drug screen or a UDS, is a painless test. It analyzes your urine for the presence of certain illegal drugs and prescription medications. The urine drug test usually screens for:
- amphetamines
- methamphetamines
- benzodiazepines
- barbiturates
- marijuana
- cocaine
- PCP
- methadone
- opioids (narcotics)
Alcohol can also be included in screening tests, but it’s usually detected through breath tests rather than urine screens.
A urine drug test can help a doctor detect potential substance abuse problems. After a drug test identifies drugs you may be misusing, doctors can help you start a treatment plan. Taking urine drug tests throughout substance abuse treatment helps to ensure that the plan is working and that you’re no longer taking drugs.
Cannabis: 7-30 days in urine and up to 2 weeks in blood.
Cocaine: 3-4 days in urine and 1-2 days in blood.
Codeine: 1 day in urine and up to 12 hours in blood.
Heroin:3-4 days in urine and up to 12 hours in blood.
It is broken down and excreted through your urine, making it detectable with urine drug testing for up to five days. Hair drug testing timelines have windows of up to 90 days.
Negative results are usually received within 24 hours; however, a positive screen will require further testing that may take a few days up to one week. If the initial screen is negative, a medical review officer (MRO) will typically contact the employer with the results.
If your urine is being tested only for a urinalysis, you can eat and drink normally before the test. If you‘re having other tests at the same time, you may need to fast for a certain amount of time before the test.
Schedule a Drug Test, a division of Accredited Drug Testing, Inc., provides drug and alcohol testing for DOT and non-DOT purposes at over 10,000 locations nationwide. The process to schedule a drug or alcohol test is simple and easy. Call us or schedule online.