What’s the difference: Hair Drug Testing vs. Urinalysis

By: Rebecca Beckett

There is a definite debate over the best way to drug test employees before they are hired, or the best way to keep students away from drugs. There are some major differences between hair drug testing and urine alcohol testing that can help employers, educators and the like make a decision regarding this very important issue.

Let’s face it. How fun is it when you know that you have to take the drug test for your new job and you arrive at the drug testing location, pee in a cup and go on your way. Now, how much better would it be if you just had to let a few hairs get plucked from your head? It is a much more non-invasive way to get test for alcohol and/or drugs. Plus, a hair drug test can confirm use up to 12 months whereas a urinalysis is only good if it is within 72 hours. Many people find their way around negative results when it comes to a regular urinalysis. Hair drug tests don’t allow you to lie because the evidence imbeds itself in your hair for a long time. I guess you could shave your head?

Another important factor to consider is whether or not regular testing will be done. If a company is going to do period testing a hair drug testing would be a better option. Regular testing with a urinalysis will have to be done much more frequently and it will become much more costly for the company as well. Plus, it won’t give you a complete picture of historical abuse like hair drug testing can. Established historical patterns of abuse can be detected when a hair drug test is done. This is simply not possible when a urinalysis is completed.

Finally, the risk of tampering is greatly increased when a urinalysis is done. You cannot tamper with your hair or the hair drug test. It is also possible for a hair drug test to be redone. However, due to the short window of opportunity needed for a urinalysis it is not possible to do a retest.

The process of testing for drugs and alcohol is an important decision for any company. The costs associated must be considered as should the method the test is performed. Some companies will decide not to test. However, this may or may not lead to a very different set of personnel hired. Hair drug testing can be much more useful for companies. The reason it works so well is that the hair growth is fed by the bloodstream and any ingestion of drug abuse is revealed with the small sample of hair that is analyzed.

So, what will companies choose in the future? Well, in this current economic climate they will probably stick with the standard urinalysis – oh, how we love that cup. However, hopefully they will consider the hair drug test as a viable option when it comes to drug testing. In order to crack down on people that are abusing drugs it will be essential that employers take a stand, especially if they find that they have employees that might be abusing the system. Setting high standards for their employees and providing a safe atmosphere is essential for any company – starting with an error proof drug screen may just be the thing companies need to get the standards started.

About the Author

About the Author: Rebecca Beckett is a freelance writer for Innuity . If you would like more information about hair drug testing or urine alcohol testinggo to Trimega

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Pre employment Drug Testing

Pre employment drug testing is extremely important for any organization. Verification of employee's background is always considered as essential of assurance in the hiring process. Employee drug testing programs protects the health and safety of all employees. This testing proves to be an efficient method of managing drug abuse. It is a valuable tool to acquire positive employee relations, delivering significant cost savings, and providing corporations with a competitive advantage.

The drug abuse remedies can be done in rehabilitation centers and curing centers. Thus, drug testing should be conducted in many places to examine the levels of drug usage. The drug abuse is raising many problems that are directly causing employee turnover, tardiness, absenteeism, theft, turnover, attitude problems, deceased productivity, crime and violence.

How the test is conducted?

Usually, drug testing is conducted by sending the candidate to a collection site, where a urine sample is obtained. This sample will be sent to a certified laboratory for analysis and results are available within 24 hours. There are instant test kits on the market, which are similar to home pregnancy tests. It involves the employer to manipulate a urine sample. Although these tests are considered accurate for immediate screening, they are useless in the event of a positive result, since that requires laboratory confirmation and retention of a sample for retesting by the subject. Moreover, they are much expensive then laboratory tests.

What is tested?

Usually, employers utilize the standard five-panel test, consisting of Marijuana, Cocaine, PCP, Opiates and Amphetamine. Few may use a ten-panel test, which includes prescription substances that are used and possessed legally. Employers can also test for alcohol. Virtually all drugs stay in the system for 2-4 days. For regular drug users, such results can be detected for up to 14 days and sometimes even more days. If the test is conducted through hair, then drugs can be detected for about 3 months. To avoid the obstacles from second hand marijuana smoke, many labs have set a higher threshold before reporting THC in the system.

What happens if there is a positive test or abnormal test?

Laboratory testing has an extensive process to confirm a positive test, before reporting. Many drug testing programs employ a physician called Medical Review Officer (MRO) to examine all test results. In certain cases, the test may be negative, but shows an abnormal result like, â??low creatine levelâ??. This denotes that the candidate have consumed excessive water or any alternative to dilute the sample. Though the test confirms the positive result, the program has the right to re-test the sample for their preference. For this purpose, the positive resulted test samples are retained.

The Pre-employment Drug Testing facilitates many employers to detect drug abuse among their employees, while screening them.

About the Author:

DrugAlcoholTest.com is an online store offering Drug Test and drug screening products in several formats including blood, urine and oral drug test kits. DrugAlchoholTest.com offers FDA-approved urine drug testing kits as well as DOT-approved alcohol testing products. Some of the popular products are and Marijuana Drug Test, Breathalyzer and Saliva Drug Test Products. A professionally management company that is a responsible and socially aware company with a mission to make ours a healthier and better society.

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Drug tests are increasingly becoming compulsory at many work places, for college admissions, and in sports. This has led to drug abusers to find out the ways to pass a drug test. Information is given below on the methods followed by the ...

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