Types of Drug Tests | THC Detox .com

Types of Tests

Pros

Cons

Window od Detection

Urine

· Highest assurance of reliable results.

· Least expensive.

· Most flexibility in testing different drugs, including alcohol and nicotine.

· Most likely of all drug-testing methods to withstand legal challenge.

· Specimen can be adulterated, substituted, or diluted.

· Limited window of detection.

· Test sometimes viewed as invasive or embarrassing.

· Biological hazard for specimen handling and shipping to lab.

· Typically 1 to 5 days.

Hair

· Longer window of detection.

· Greater stability (does not deteriorate).

· Can measure chronic drug use.

· Convenient shipping and storage (no need to refrigerate).

· Collection procedure not considered invasive or embarrassing.

· More difficult to adulterate than urine.

· Detects alcohol/cocaine combination use.

· More expensive.

· Test usually limited to basic 5-drug panel.

· Cannot detect alcohol use.

· Will not detect very recent drug use (1 to 7 days prior to test).

· Depends on the length of hair in the sample. Hair grows about a half-inch per month, so a 1½-inch specimen would show a 3-month history.

Oral Fluids

· Sample obtained under direct observation.

· Minimal risk of tampering.

· Non-invasive.

· Samples can be collected easily in virtually any environment.

· Can detect alcohol use.

· Reflects recent drug use.

· Drugs and drug metabolites do not remain in oral fluids as long as they do in urine.

· Less efficient than other testing methods in detecting marijuana use.

· Approximately 10 to 24 hours.

Sweat Patch

· Non-invasive.

· Variable removal date (generally 1 to 7 days).

· Quick application and removal.

· Longer window of detection than urine.

· No sample substitution possible.

· Limited number of labs able to process results.

· People with skin eruptions, excessive hair, or cuts and abrasions cannot wear the patch.

· Passive exposure to drugs may contaminate patch and affect results.

· Patch retains evidence of drug use for at least 7 days, and can detect even low levels of drugs 2 to 5 hours after last use.