Ultimate Guide: How Long Does A Drug Test Take?

Drug testing in corporate workplaces facilitates a productive and robust working environment. It is a significant method to keep a check on the employees and follow a systematic workplace discipline. A drug test is performed to look for the presence of illegal drugs in one's body. It is used in corporate workplaces, sports organisations and for legal and forensic reasons.

The first step of the drug testing procedure is to carry out the sample collection process through one of these four methods:

Urine sample drug testing:

Urine testing is the most common method of drug screening. These tests detect the drugs consumed in the last 30 days. The time taken for the entire process depends on when the specimen is provided for testing, considering some people suffer from shy bladder syndrome as well. Once the specimen is delivered to the laboratory by the technician for testing, it takes about 72 hours to obtain the results.

Mouth swab drug testing:

These tests are quite cost-effective and detect the drugs consumed in the last 24 hours. The sample collection process takes about 3 minutes, depending upon the amount of saliva in the mouth. The employee is free to leave after documentation. Laboratory results are obtained in the next 72 hours.

Hair follicle drug testing:

Although it is expensive as compared to the urine test, it detects drugs consumed in the last 90 days and hence it is gaining popularity among employers. About one to one and a half inches of a hair strand is cut to obtain the results. Including the documentation, it takes approximately 5 minutes and the results are obtained in 72 hours. Longer detection periods are possible if requested.

Blood sample drug testing:

These tests are most expensive as compared to the rest and time-taking as well. The sample collection is intrusive as it involves pricking a body part to collect the blood sample and thus it is rarely used for regular drug testing.

It is the most effective method to check for the presence of drugs in the blood, specifically post accidents. It is unique as it identifies the presence of the parent drug rather than the drug substitute and is beneficial in detecting the current damage. It can take up to a week to obtain the results of these tests.

Once the required sample is collected the next step is to choose whether the sample will be sent to a third-party laboratory for testing or will it take place in an in-house setting. Sending the sample to a third-party laboratory involves the risk of the sample being tampered with and the process is more time-consuming.

If the sample is tampered with it could lead to legal consequences for the company as well. Some companies also choose to carry out drug testing through DIY drug testing kits which is certainly not a promising option as they are unreliable and the accuracy does not match the level of the laboratory tests. 

The livelihood and character of employees are dangling on these tests therefore they should be handled with utmost importance. It is mandatory to choose professional drug testing companies as their procedures are systematic, standardised and professional.

Laboratories are operating 24*7 to deliver efficient, rapid and standardized drug testing. These drug testing companies also offer assistance to develop drug- free zero-tolerance policies and procedures. The advantages include training the management to recognise the signs of drug consumption by employees and to educate them about the hazards of drug use on their job, health and livelihood.

Guaranteeing a safe and secure work environment is the responsibility of the head of every organisation for its smooth functioning, rapid growth and respectable surroundings. Drug testing companies ensure the well-being of the workforce and the organisation. Contact 24/7 Onsite today for drug testing in Corpus Christi if you need an organization that can help you conduct 24 hour drug testing.