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Urine & Hair Drug Testing

Drug testing is one of the most important ways to maintain a safe environment in the work field. Hair and urine testing involves analyzing biological specimens to detect drugs or their metabolites. 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.

Both hair and urine drug testing have their advantages and limitations, and the choice between the two methods often depends on factors such as the desired detection window, and the practical considerations of sample collection and analysis.

What is Drug testing?

It involves the examination of hair and urine samples and analyzing the traces of illegal substances present in the samples. Drug and alcohol testing prevents workplaces from potential risks and consequences at federal level. Drug screening the employees is commonplace for a lot of employers these days to diminish the impression of substance abuse, safety issues and work inefficiencies.

Learn about the jobs that requires drug testing

Six Required DOT Drug Tests

Under DOT regulations, alcohol testing requirements are essential for maintaining safety in the transportation industry. Here are the key points:

  1. Pre-Employment Testing Before allowing a CDL driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), employers must receive a negative drug test result.
  2. Post-Accident Testing After accidents, drug and alcohol tests may be necessary based on specific criteria:
    • Human Fatality: Yes, if a fatality occurs.
    • Bodily Injury with Immediate Medical Treatment Away from the Scene: Yes.
    • Any Motor Vehicle Needing to Be Towed Away Due to Disabling Damage: Yes.
  3. Random Testing CDL drivers must undergo random drug and alcohol testing all through the year.
  4. Reasonable Suspicion Testing If a driver appears impaired due to drugs or alcohol, immediate testing is required. Designated Employer Representatives are trained by employers to recognize signs of impairment.
  5. Return-to-Duty Testing Drivers who failed the test, refused to take test, or violated regulations must complete the return-to-duty process with a DOT-qualified substance abuse professional. A negative result is required before resuming driving duties.
  6. Follow-Up Testing Compulsory for truck drivers who completed return-to-duty and tested negative. Substance abuse professionals prescribe at least 6 directly observed tests in duration 12 months, extendable up to four years.

There are several methods of conducting drug tests. The most frequently used are below:

  1. Hair Follicle Drug Test
  2. Urine Drug Testing
  3. Breath Alcohol Test
  4. Blood Drug Screening
  5. Saliva Drug Test
Methods of Drug Testing

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. It is used to detect the metabolites of drugs accumulated in hair strands for a longer period.

Usually, 100-120 hair strands are required to perform the hair analysis which is later secured in foil and sent to the lab procedure.

Order a hair drug test today or Call 980-655-4455 for further queries.

What Drugs Are Tested with Hair Testing?

Hair drug screening tests for several substances, most popular hair drug test includes the 5-panel drug test including marijuana (THC), cocaine, opioids (codeine, morphine, and heroin), methamphetamine, PCP (Phencyclidine).

Read about 10 Panel Drug Test

DOT Urine Testing

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 DOT drug test?

It includes the same DOT panel drug test including marijuana (THC), cocaine, opioids (codeine, morphine, and heroin), methamphetamine, PCP (Phencyclidine).

Learn about the Standard Cutt Off Levels for Drugs

Hair Drug Test VS Urine Drug Test

Following are some important considerations to be kept in mind while deciding the choice of your drug test:

Detection window

A hair drug screening or the hair follicle substance test can recognize drug use within the past 90 days whereas a urine DOT drug test can only perceive contemporary use of the drug maximum of the past 3-4 days.

Result analysis time

The results of a urine drug test are released within 24 hours whereas the time required for a hair test lies between 24-72 hours.

Cost of Test

Depending on the procedure the cost of a hair drug test is slightly higher than a urine drug test.

urine drug test vs hair drug test

Accuracy

While urine drug screening provides rapid results but can be affected by factors like medications, leading to false positives or false negatives. If an initial test is positive, a confirmatory test is ordered. On other side hair test are more accurate and contains less chances for false results.

Choose goMDnow drug testing for peace of mind and reliable testing. We’re here to support you! Call us today at 980-655-4455 to discuss your specific hair follicle drug testing or urine test needs.

How Drug Test Reslts are Categorized
How Drug Test Results are Categorized?

After certain lab procedures, the clinical diagnosis of results is categorized as:

Positive Results

A positive result shows that the person has been engaged in substance use.

Negative Results

A negative result indicates that the person hasn’t been engaged in the substance use

Inconclusive Results

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.

Read more about: How to interpret drug test result
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

Looking for Hair Drug Tests and DOT Urine Drug Test Full Service? goMDnow provides affordable, accurate, and rapid drug testing services specifically designed for owner operators and emoloyers. 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 urine test and hair drug testing.