Many companies require drug testing for new employees before the official hiring, and others complete random drug tests to ensure their employees are staying clean. An employer’s concerns about drug use among its employees stems from issues of workplace proficiency and safety liabilities. If you are asked to take a drug test, you may wonder what they are looking for. Keep reading to get a better idea of what tests you may encounter and the drugs they analyze.
Urine Testing
A urine sample is the most common types of drug test because it can show drug residue for a while after the drug was taken. Numerous drugs can show up during this type of screening, including alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamines, cocaine, and opiates. If your employer requires numerous tests, consider googling a testing center near you (for example, drug testing Houston tx).
Oral Fluid Testing
Each testing type has its own timeline for detecting a drug after use, and screening someone’s saliva will only pick up drug residue from the past few days; however, it is easier on the employee and can be done at work, making it more convenient. This can detect alcohol, methamphetamines, marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines.
Blood Testing
The more invasive of the tests, blood testing can detect drugs that could be too diluted for other tests. It can be screened for many of the same drugs as urine and saliva, as well as toxins.
Hair Testing
By screening hair, an employee’s drug use can be dated all the way back to 90 days. Alcohol, marijuana, opiates, and phencyclidine can be detected through this method.
Performance-Enhancing Drugs
Sports athletes at both college and professional levels may also be subject to drug testing. Recreational drugs such as steroids, diuretics, growth hormones, and erythropoietin can be screened for, as well as alcohol.
Drug testing is important to ensure the safety and capacity of employees and sustain a fair playing field among athletes. As more companies continue to test for drugs, it can be helpful to understand what they are looking for and why you are being tested.
