Last updated : December 16, 2024
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 68.9% of all drug users are employed and active in the workplace.
The use of drugs and alcohol in the workplace can lead to absenteeism, fatal accidents, injuries, theft, loss of production, and low employee morale. One way to combat these issues is through workplace drug testing, which helps create a safer, more productive workplace and the kind of environment in which people want to work.
The use of drugs and alcohol in the workplace can lead to absenteeism, fatal accidents, injuries, theft, loss of production, and low employee morale. One way to combat these issues is through workplace drug testing, which helps create a safer, more productive workplace and the kind of environment in which people want to work.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the different types of drug tests you should be testing your employees for so you can:
- Save money
- Increase plant activity
- Decrease liabilities
- Maintain integrity
- Derive satisfaction
Types of Drug Tests
Urine Testing
Urine drug testing is the most commonly used and widely accepted method to test for recent drug use. This type of drug test is perfect for maintaining a drug-free workplace, testing on a pre-employment, random, post-accident, or reasonable suspicion basis, and can be used to identify a wide range of illegal and prescription drugs.
While a positive urine test doesn’t necessarily mean that an individual was under the influence of drugs at the time of the test, it has become the standard for evidence of “current use” for the U.S. Department of Labor. Urine tests are fast, easy, and they’re the only method allowed for the Department of Transportation (DOT) and other federally mandated tests. A urine test is also the least expensive method to test for drug use.
Learn more about urine drug testing.
Oral Testing
Oral drug testing, also called mouth swab, oral fluid, or saliva drug testing, is a newer method of drug testing and another great way for maintaining a drug-free workplace, testing on a pre-employment, random, post-accident, or reasonable suspicion basis.
Still the preferred drug testing method when gender-neutral collection is needed, oral drug testing can identify alcohol and most common drugs, as well as be conducted under direct observation. This type of drug testing is quick and easy but is not allowed for DOT and other federally mandated tests, which require urine drug testing.
Learn more about oral drug testing.
Hair Testing
While less commonly requested, hair testing offers one significant advantage over other types of drug tests – it provides approximately 90 days of drug-use history compared to urine and oral drug tests, which provide approximately two to three days.
In the workplace, hair testing is best used, and recommended, for pre-employment testing. If your goal is not to hire a drug user, hair testing an applicant will help you achieve that goal.
Learn more about hair testing.
Alcohol Testing
Two specific kinds of drinking behavior significantly contribute to the level of work performance problems: drinking right before or during working hours (including drinking at lunch and company functions), and heavy drinking the night before that causes hangovers during work the next day.
Alcohol can be detected in a variety of ways, including breath alcohol tests and urine alcohol tests. Breath alcohol testing measures the blood alcohol content (BAC) that may be present in a person’s system. Using a breathalyzer that conforms to DOT standards, an initial screening test is conducted. Urine alcohol drug screening, also referred to as EtG tests, shows that alcohol had been consumed previously (up to a few days), and does not necessarily reflect current use or impairment.
Learn more about alcohol testing.
Nicotine Testing
If your workplace prohibits the use of nicotine, nicotine testing for employment is ideal. This type of drug test can detect nicotine use for several days prior to taking the test. To ensure that employees stay nicotine-free, companies may choose to do nicotine testing along with their drug testing in their drug-free workplace random testing program.
Another useful time to utilize nicotine testing is if your company’s insurance policy offers a discount for the participants to be nicotine-free. Health insurance policies may offer significant discounts if the employees who are enrolled are nicotine-free, saving money for both the employer and the employee.
Learn more about nicotine testing.
Synthetic Testing
Synthetic marijuana, commonly referred to as K2 or Spice, can be tested for in urine using either an instant test or lab-based testing. Manufacturers sell these products as “incense” and label them “not for human consumption.”
The product itself does resemble marijuana. The synthetic chemical compounds such as JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200, JWH-250, and JWH-081 are added to the weed-like material and then smoked by the consumer. If any of these compounds are in the K2 or Spice, their presence can be detected by the drug test.
Learn more about synthetic drug testing.
Schedule a Drug Test
Now that you know more about the different types of drug tests you should be testing your employees for, schedule a test. USA Mobile Drug Testing offers a full suite of drug screening services, including 5-panel, 9-panel, and 10-panel drug tests. If you want to make mobile drug and alcohol testing a part of your workplace but don’t know where to begin, contact us today.
