Roughly 1.47% of US job postings mention required pre-employment drug tests and only 0.66% mention regular drug testing.
The good news is only about 1.47% of US job postings mention required pre-employment drug tests and only 0.66% mention regular drug testing. Yet, a majority of large companies, airlines, and some state and the federal governments still require testing. Â Here is what you need to know about drug tests.
A urine test is the prevalent form of pre-employment drug testing. Hair testing has a longer detection window for drug use spanning up to 90 days. Oral fluid testing is 100% observed, making it difficult for employees to cheat, dilute, or adulterate the test. This test can also be collected on-site, reducing costs and time.
The most common is a a urine drug test which looks for any traces of substance abuse. The procedure is quick and painless, as simply requires you to provide your urine as a sample for the test. Using this sample, your urine can be tested for alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, marijuana, opioids (narcotics), PCP, and benzodiazepines.
However, it’s not all about that because there are also certain policies which protect the privacy of the tested person. Nevertheless, if you are required to take a drug test by a potential employer or for any other reason, it’s important you know what to expect from the procedure.
Types Of Urine Drug Tests
Today, there are two different types of urine drug tests. Immunoassay is the first test type which is a cost-effective drug test yielding quick results. There are, however, drawbacks to using this kind of urine test. The test sometimes gives out a false positive result, wherein the test brings a positive result for drugs even if the person is not taking any drugs. This is due to medicinal residue left in the system that can trigger drug tests in numerous ways. When this happens, you’ll have to retake the test.
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If the drug test comes out positive and you deny using any drugs, you’ll be required to take the second urine drug test type known as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The second test uses the same urine specimen as the first test. These tests are usually more expensive and could take longer to produce test results. On the plus side they rarely give out any false positives.
Taking The Urine Test
No matter what drug you’re testing for, the process in urine test is as the same as taking it through drug testing kits. Since these test kits may be used at home, you can take the test anywhere you’re comfortable or most convenient in, such as a doctor’s clinic, hospital, workplace, or even your own home.
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The following tests are to be followed:
- You will receive a specimen cup from the person administering the test
- You will have to leave behind your belongings in another room as you take the test. There are some instances wherein you may be required to change into a hospital gown so you can easily take the test.
- To make sure that you don’t try to skew the test results, a nurse or a technician may accompany you into the bathroom.
- Before starting, make sure to clean your genital area with the provided moist cloth.
- Start urinating into the toilet, as you would normally do.
- While you are urinating, make sure to catch sample into the cup midstream. Don’t let the cup touch your genital area.
- When done, put a lid on the cup. Bring it to the technician so it can be processed.
Test Results
Once you have supplied your specimen sample, the technician or nurse will inform you of when your test results will be available. With the use of an Immunoassay test, you should be able to get your results right away. In the event that your test results to positive for illegal drugs you haven’t taken make sure you request for a GC/MS test right away.
