What is the Most Common Drug Test for Employment?

The most common drug test for employment can improve workplace safety and productivity. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), the majority of substance users work. Statistically, these are the people who are more likely to file a workers’ compensation claim, harm others in an on-the-job accident, miss work frequently, and change jobs often.

So ensuring that everyone on-site is substance-free protects your employees and your company’s reputation, which is why you, the employer, need to include employment drug tests in your hiring and employee retention process.

But what is the most common drug test for employment? How accurate is it? Is it safe? Read on and find out.

What is the most common pre employment drug test?

There are several types of drug tests.

The most common type of pre-employment testing is the urine test, which is typically administered after an offer of employment. It can detect traces of drug use even after the effects of the drug have worn off and the drug has been removed from the body for an extended period. Typical drugs tested in a pre-employment urine drug screen include cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines and methamphetamines, PCP, and opiates, with employers having the option to test for various substances. More importantly, urinalysis is the only method approved for federally-mandated testing. Therefore, employers typically use it for both non-regulated and regulated employees.

Urine drug tests are a quick and easy way to screen different types of drugs. All it takes is a few minutes from taking the sample to interpreting the results.

There’s also oral drug testing, which is becoming popular too. In this type of test, you give a mouth swab to your employee. Aside from a fast and easy screening process, mouth swabs are convenient too. Unlike urine drug test cups which require privacy, oral drug testing can be done anytime, anywhere.

Other types of drug testing use hair, sweat, and blood. All of these require lab testing.

Do pre employment drug tests check for alcohol?

Yes, in states where drug and alcohol testing is allowed. Most companies use the EtG test for this purpose. It can detect the presence of ethyl glucuronide in the urine sample for 24 to 48 hours.

What do pre employment drug tests look for?

Most drug tests look for five of the most common drugs of abuse: opiates, THC, Cocaine, PHP, and Amphetamines. This is why most employers use the five panel urine drug test.

However, some employers want a more detailed drug screen for their employees. Some go as far as testing up to 18 types of illicit drugs such as Amphetamines, Phencyclidine, Marijuana, Methamphetamines, Opiates, Methadone, Benzodiazepines, Methaqualone, Barbiturates, MDMA, Tramadol, Fentanyl, Oxycodone, Alcohol, among others. They use the 18 panel urine drug test cup for this purpose.

Your leadership team must decide what type of test to use when selecting a pre-employment drug testing program.

Consider the most common pre-employment drug test option, as well as available alternatives based on your specific needs. You can check out the Ovus Medical Shop for a huge variety of urine drug test cups in bulk.