Kurt Rambis, former NBA champion and coach, is quoted as saying, “I’m in favor of drug tests, just so long as they are multiple choice.” There are many different types of drug tests available for screening applicants and employees for drug use, but can they be multiple choice? In a way they can. How? Well I’m so glad you asked.
First, let’s look at some of the drug screening options along with pros and cons of each.
Hair Testing
Pros Cons
Longer detection period (90 days) Does not show 1-7 days of drug use
Every test is directly observed The number of panels checked is limited
Little chance for results to be altered More expensive and takes longer to process
Urine Testing
Pros Cons
Most common; easy to find test locations Easiest type of test of cheat on
Easy to add additional drug panels to test Collection typically not monitored
Only method Federally approved Issues with “shy bladder”
Saliva Testing
Pros Cons
Every test is directly observed Detection windows
Difficult to adulterate Limited panel options
Can be done anywhere; quick results Poor detection of THC
Next, let’s compare detection windows:
Substance
|
Urine
|
Hair
|
Saliva
|
Amphetamines
|
1-5 days
|
Approx. 3 months
|
12 hours
|
Methamphetamine
|
3-5 days
|
Approx. 3 months
|
1-3 days
|
MMDA (Ecstasy)
|
72 hours
|
Approx. 3 months
|
24 hours
|
Barbiturates
|
1 day
|
Approx. 3 months
|
1-2 days
|
Phenobarbital
|
2-3 weeks*
|
Approx. 3 months
|
4-7 days
|
Benzodiazepines
|
Chronic use (>1 yr) 4-6 weeks
|
Approx. 3 months
|
6-48 hours
|
Infrequent use 3-4 days
|
Heavy use 10 days
|
Cannabis
|
Chronic and/or users with high body fat 30+ days
|
Approx. 3 months
|
2-24 hours in most cases
|
Cocaine
|
2-5 days
|
Approx. 3 months
|
2-5 days
|
Codeine
|
2-3 days
|
|
|
Morphine
|
2-4 days
|
Approx. 3 months
|
1-3 days
|
Heroin
|
1-4 days
|
Approx. 3 months
|
1-2 days
|
Methadone
|
3 days
|
Approx. 3 months
|
24 hours
|
*With therapeutic use up to 7 days.
Now let’s consider some of the differences in the tests. To be able to check a longer period of time for drug use the hair test seems to be the best bet. However, if the person is not a regular user, but took drugs during the weekend, they would not show up on a test taken on Monday. There is a 1-2 day window before detection can occur with a hair test. The drug use would show up in a urine or, potentially, in a saliva test, but the detection windows are much smaller.
So what do you do? Some employers are starting to make a “multiple choice” with their drug testing program by combining tests. For example, an employer may have the subject complete both saliva and hair tests to include both the immediate and the long term time frames.
While this may seem like a pricey proposition, as with all testing, you have to consider the risks and advantages for your particular business.
Even if you choose to run only one type of drug test, make sure to consider the various choices available, then choose the option that best suits your purposes.
What if the only option you can consider is urine testing? You still have multiple choices in the types of tests available. Most people are familiar with 5 panel, 10 panel, and DOT tests, which gives you a few choices up front. However, according to Quest Diagnostics, there are “hundreds of different drug panel configurations.”
As you can see drug tests are indeed multiple choice.
Sources: healthguidance.org, questdiagnostics.com, ClearStar Webinar: "Drug Screening - Separating Facts from Myths"