Saliva / Urine / Hair / Random Program Management
Sweat / Nails / Personal Random Programs
Combined Specimens / ChildGuard®
According to 2020 statistics by the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, more than 59.277 million adults were reported to have misused prescription drugs or used illegal drugs within the year. These statistics display how hard it is to maintain a drug-free working zone by identifying individuals under substance use. Many employers have resulted in performing drug tests on their employees to maintain sobriety in their workplace. Drug screening uses biological samples to detect the absence or presence of a legal or illegal drug. In this article, we are going to explain different reasons for drug testing and the types of Drug testing services offered by NW Testing Drug Screens & Physicals, your drug testing partner in Vancouver, WA.
Reasons For Drug Testing
One may require drug testing depending on various factors and situations. It mostly depends on personal circumstances, company policies, or local laws. These are some of the reasons you may need drug screening:
Employer Drug Screening
Most employers prefer conducting drug screening before hiring and during the employment period. This keeps employees in check, especially in strictly drug-free workplaces such as drivers and plant operators. We advise employers to implement a random testing program to improve reliability and maintain safety in their workplace.
Personal Drug Screening
This is preferred by parents who may suspect or have evidence that their children may be abusing drugs. It can also be helpful to individuals who are recovering from substance abuse to check their progress. Individuals also take drug tests to prove sobriety to their partners.
Legal Drug Screening
This is when drug screening is recommended for legal purposes, such as when investigating criminal activities. For example, when determining child abuse, whether the accused person was driving under the influence in traffic cases. It can also be required in child custody cases. A court order is issued when drug screening is needed for a case.
Types of Drug Testing Services Offered by NW Testing Drug Screens & Physicals
There are different ways we perform drug testing. This is determined by the window of detection or the drug being tested. You don't need an appointment to take a drug test. These are the types of drug testing services offered by NW Testing Drug Screens & Physicals:
Saliva-based testing: This method has a maximum detection period of 72 hours. It is appropriate after accidents since it provides short-term results which are more accurate. It also doesn't invade privacy, unlike urine testing.
Urine-Based testing: Urine is commonly used due to its longer detection period. It extends from 24 hours to 13 weeks for regular users. It provides an affordable solution for employers who don't want to go back in time. However, this testing is prone to cheating due to its privacy.
Hair testing: Most employers who prefer excellent standards choose hair testing. It has a window of detection for up to 180 days. It assures that the employee is drug-free and didn't avoid drugs for a short period leading up to the test. Hair treatments, however, may interfere with its accuracy.
Sweat patch testing: This method uses an absorbent pad and adhesive cover that trap sweat when it leaves the skin. It collects drug molecules as water and oxygen are small enough to go through. It has a window of detection of up to 14 days.
Nail testing: Nails provide the longest window of detection. Drugs can be detected for up to 6 months in fingernails and up to a year in toenails. This method cannot be adulterated. We recommend simultaneous urine testing to bridge the 7-19 days gap that drug elements take to be deposited in the nails.
NW Testing: Your Trusted Drug Testing Partner in Vancouver, WA
Drug screening helps to achieve a clear conscience on various things. From personal and employer testing to legal testing, NW Testing Drug Screens & Physicals is your trusted drug testing partner in Vancouver, WA. We offer walk-in testing services to achieve the most accurate results. Contact us for more information.
IMG Credit: Tero Vesalainen
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