Testing is one of the most important ways to maintain a safe environment in the work field. DOT Urine test and Hair drug testing are one of the easiest and convenient ways to predict if any employee is not prone to any substance use that may hinder the feasibility of safety-sensitive work or a normal day’s life.
Drug testing is completed steadily when applying for jobs, especially for the positions that may comprise federal transportation, truck drivers, and other public safety-critical workplace positions. Drug testing is now common for many employers to diminish the impression of substance abuse, safety concerns, and work inefficiencies.
Six Required DOT Drug Tests
The Department of Transportation regulated DOT-covered employees to undergo:
Methods of Drug Testing
There are several methods of conducting drug tests. The most frequently used are below:
Saliva Drug Test
A saliva drug test also known as a mouth swab drug test is a non-invasive method of drug testing. However, can only detect recent drug use because drugs remain in saliva for only a shorter period and the accuracy of the test results is not so reliable due to increased chances of contamination.
Breathe Alcohol Test
A non-invasive method that is used to determine the concentration of alcohol in a person’s blood (BAC or blood alcohol content) by measuring the amount of alcohol in the air you breathe out (exhale) through a device called a breathalyzer. Read more about breath alcohol.
Blood Drug Screening
Blood testing is an invasive method of drug testing with a short detection window meaning it can detect recent drug use. It is not a preferred method for drug testing due to its route of administration, higher cost, and a shorter detection window
Hair Drug Test
A hair drug test or hair follicle test is performed on the hairs that are removed from the crown of your head, face, chest, or armpit with the help of scissors.
Why hair drug test is needed?
It is used to detect the metabolites of drugs accumulated in hair strands for a longer period.
How many hairs are required to perform a hair drug test?
Usually, 100-120 hair strands are required to perform the hair drug test which is later secured in foil and sent to the lab procedure.
Which drugs can be usually detected in hair drug test?
The most popular hair drug test includes the 5-panel drug test which can be increased on the demand of the client. It generally includes:
Urine drug Testing is the most common and rapid method of drug testing used by employers for drug testing. Its admiration is owing to its low cost and simple collection process. Sample collection is frequently done at clinics or testing facilities, after that, the sample is sent to SAMHSA-approved labs for accurate screening.
What is the procedure for a DOT urine drug test?
A sample of less than equal to 45 milliliters is collected in a container which is further sent to the lab for a complete drug test examination.
What substances are commonly detected in a urine drug test?
Following are some important considerations to be kept in mind while deciding the choice of your drug test:
A hair drug test or the hair follicle substance test can recognize drug use within the past 90 days whereas a urine drug test can only perceive contemporary use of the drug maximum of the past 3-4 days.
The results of a Urine Drug test are released within 24 hours whereas the time required for a hair drug test lies between 24-72 hours.
Depending on the procedure the cost of a hair drug test is slightly higher than a urine drug test.
After certain lab procedures, the clinical diagnosis of results is categorized as:
A positive result shows that the person has been engaged in substance use.
A negative result indicates that the person hasn’t been engaged in the substance use
It is the most unusual category which involves complete rejection of results due to mishandling the procedure. The repetition of the test is followed by an inconclusive test.
At what time do we get drug test results back?
Workplace drug test results are legitimately fast and can frequently be received within a few days. Employers who need immediate results can order instant drug test that can provide results on the same day. Negative results are generally received within 24 hours; however, non-negative screening needs additional testing, which can take a few days or a week.
Hair and Urine Test Services
Maintaining a drug-free workplace is crucial for reducing employee turnover, work-related accidents and saving the company from heavy fines. DOT requires drug testing for pre-employment, random drug test, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, and return to duty process. The most popular way of conducting drug test is urine and hair drug tests.
Looking for Hair Drug Tests and DOT Urine Drug Test Full Service? goMDnow provides affordable, accurate, and rapid DOT/Non-DOT drug testing services. We can help you to determine the type of testing you need based on your industry. Order a test online or locate a drug testing center near you out of our 20,000 collection sites nationwide.
Contact us for more queries about the DOT Urine test and DOT hair drug testing.
