How tests will be done is one of the many parts of any drug and alcohol testing program. When you’re thinking about the different test methods out there, you should keep your goal in mind. It can be very important to pick the right test method for your needs. The methods of drug testing programs basically involve picking out the part of the body or internal fluids that will be checked for illegal drugs.
Drug Testing Methods
Each way of checking for drugs has its benefits and is best used in certain scenarios. Employers should know about these approaches so they can pick the best testing way for their needs. Here are some common methods of drug testing programs:
- Urine Testing
When someone is being tested for drugs at work, urine testing is the most frequent and widely used way. It doesn’t cost much, and you can find a lot of different chemicals. Due to their ability to see recent drug use, urine tests are often used for pre-employment screenings and random drug tests.
- Hair Testing
Drug use over a longer length of time, usually up to 90 days, can be found with hair follicle tests. This method works especially well for finding trends of long-term drug abuse. It might not be able to tell if someone has recently used drugs, though, because the drug metabolites might not show up in hair for a few days. This type of drug testing program is preferred because it is more accurate and harder to change the sample, even though it costs more.
- Breath Testing
Most of the time, a trained breath alcohol expert and related monitoring tools are used to find people who have been drinking. Some companies choose to use mouth fluid devices to check for alcohol use. Most of the time, breathe tests show results within 8 hours of the last use.
- On-site testing
Employers can use instant point-of-collection (POCT) devices. Companies need to know how this testing process is different from a lab-based drug test for employees. For each application, the way the drug is given, the chance of external or direct influence, and the time it takes to identify the drug will be different.
- Blood Testing
Blood tests give very clear results and are used to find out how much disability there is right now. They are usually used when someone has recently used drugs. It needs to be proven, like after an accident or when there is a good reason to think they did. This type of drug testing program is more invasive and costs more than other methods. But it gives a very accurate picture of what is in the blood at the time of the test.
Conclusion
The strategy of drug testing programs is seen as one of the best ways for companies to stop people from using drugs or drinking at work. Employers regularly test workers to see if they are following the company’s policy against drugs in the workplace. The random selection method means that every worker in a group has an equal chance of being selected for a test.