What You Need to Know About Urine Drug Testing

The urine drug test is the oldest and most popular method. Urine drug testing is the cheapest and quickest screening process for drug use. A few benefits of urine drug testing are that tests are minorly invasive and safe. The results are often returned within 24-48 hours, and many employers value the fast turnaround time.

With dozens of drug testing centers in every locality, convenience is often a factor in choosing urine tests. Testing centers are usually near the particular company, and the visits are often short. The prospective employee must sign in, sign a few releases, and then urinate in a vessel. In most cases, the employee can partially close the restroom door to preserve some privacy. Since many urine tests can identify masking agents, the need to urinate in full company is virtually eliminated. The entire process usually only lasts 20 minutes, and employers can have the results within hours.

Although urine drug testing is the most common pre-employment drug screening, many creative scientists have enhanced tools to beat these tests. A vast array of products are readily available online and in specialty shops. Some issues have even been reported of people buying urine from a "clean" partner and using the clean urine in their drug test. The clean urine is preserved in a thin plastic bag, boiled, tied to the leg, and passed as urine.

Certain body temperatures and chemicals usually present in human urine are detected and can be very convincing. With drug testing centers starting to test for masking agents, synthetic urine was enhanced. This synthetic urine contains all of the properties which a lab tests. The urine frequently comes in powder form but may also come in liquid, ready-to-use form. The powder is combined with water and comes in a container with a thermometer attached. The temperature is guaranteed to stay fresh for up to a few hours.

Although urine drug testing is easily accessible, minimally invasive, and relatively inexpensive, many employers understand that it is also the easiest to evade. Because of the variety of processes used to cheat on urine tests, many employers decide to utilize saliva, sweat, or hair follicle drug testing in its place. These other methods may not be as convenient or inexpensive but are generally more reliable.

Drug testing has become a widespread practice in our current society. There are several reasons for this increase.

First, the actual tests themselves have become relatively easy to perform. They often require only a urine dipstick. More complex confirmatory testing is readily available at many labs for very reasonable prices.

A second reason is the parallel objectives of employers and industries to screen out drug abusers before employment consideration and to maintain later vigilance by subsequent random testing. The goal of employers is to have a drug-free work environment. It is common practice for Workman's Compensation to require drug testing before benefits are granted after an injury in the workplace.

Keystone Laboratories provides customizable solutions for providers with industry-leading specialists in urine, oral fluid, and blood specimen testing.