Drug Testing FAQ

Drug testing is one action an employer can take to determine if employees or job applicants have used substances that affect workplace safety and performance. Testing can identify traces of controlled substances, illicit drugs, and alcohol consumption through different screening methods.

There are a variety of employment-related drug tests used by employers. The types of drug tests which show the presence of drugs include:

urine drug tests
blood drug tests
hair drug tests
saliva drug screens
breath alcohol testing

Blood Drug Testing

A variety of substances can be detected through blood drug testing, including:

amphetamines
cocaine
marijuana
methamphetamines
opiates
nicotine
alcohol

Blood tests take longer to develop than urine tests, but this method is very effective at detecting concentrations of alcohol and other drugs. Workplace drug testing, post-accident screenings, and legal cases often rely on blood tests. Though blood testing is highly effective, it only detects substance use within a short timeframe—usually up to 24 hours for alcohol and certain drugs.

Urine Drug Tests

A urine drug test is the most commonly used test when job applicants or employees are screened for illegal drugs or alcohol use. Urinalysis shows the presence of drug residues that remain in the body after the effects of the drug have worn off.

By far the most common test for drug use is the 5-panel urine test. It checks for the presence of cocaine, opiates, amphetamines/meth, marijuana, and PCP. Less common is the 10-panel, which tests for the same drugs as the 5-panel, with the addition of benzodiazepines, quaaludes, methadone, propoxyphene, and barbiturates.

Saliva Drug Screen

The saliva holds traces of alcohol, hormones, and other chemicals that can indicate drug use. Saliva testing is no longer as popular as blood or urine testing. Drugs can usually be detected in the saliva for only a few hours to a few days.

Hair Drug Testing

A hair drug test provides a 90-day window of drug use. It doesn’t indicate current impairment due to drugs, only past use. A hair drug test does not detect alcohol use. Hair can be tested for cocaine, marijuana, opiates, methamphetamine, and phencyclidine. Hair analysis requires more processing time than urine or blood testing.

Breath Alcohol Testing

Breath alcohol testing, similar to that performed by law enforcement, is the most commonly requested method of detecting alcohol in workers. A specially trained technician using government-approved equipment can quantify the percentage of alcohol currently in the body. It does not test for prior intoxication. Should an employee test positive for alcohol consumption with a breath test, the levels are often verified with a lab blood test.

Drug detection times

Alcohol: 3-5 days in urine, 10-12 hours in blood
Amphetamines: 1-3 days in urine and around 12 hours in blood
Barbiturates: 2-4 days in urine and 1-2 days in blood
Benzodiazepines: 3-6 weeks in urine and 2-3 days in blood.
Cannabis: 7-30 days in urine and up to 2 weeks in blood
Cocaine: 3-4 days in urine and 1-2 days in blood
Codeine: 1 day in urine and up to 12 hours in blood
Heroin: 3-4 days in urine and up to 12 hours in blood
LSD: 1-3 days in urine and up to 2-3 hours in blood
MDMA (ecstasy): 3-4 days in urine and 1-2 days in blood
Methamphetamine (crystal meth): 3-6 days in urine and 24 – 72 hours in blood
Methadone: 3-4 days in urine and 24-36 hours in blood
Morphine: 2-3 days in urine and 6-8 hours in blood

Where do I find the special requirement and laws for each state concerning drug screening?

Your state bar association can lead you to many publications and sources that will answer this need. You might also want to contact the Institute for a Drug-Free Workplace, which offers many publications dealing with state and federal drug testing laws, as well as many other drug testing topics. Their website address is http://www.drugfreeworkplace.org/.

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