by Saliva drug tests are a simple and quick way to screen for drug abuse. That said, many customers now would prefer saliva-based testing to urine-based testing due to its efficacy and simplicity.
Its simple two-step process can immediately provide the required results in minutes. With a saliva drug test, sending the individual providing the specimen to the bathroom is not needed.
You can also monitor the entire testing process and be confident that the testing sample is gathered honestly and honestly.
When finished, dispose of the test in any home or office receptacle. To know more, you can look up drug testing supplies online if you need help deciding which mouth swab drug test is best for you.
Contents
Saliva Drug Test Accuracy
This drug test by mouth swab provides a preliminary screening result. However, confirmatory testing using LC/MS is still recommended.
The accuracy of the following can vary:
- an instant oral fluid testing kit
- an instant oral fluid testing device
- lab testing
One study, for example, discovered that a mobile saliva test system was around 97.5% accurate compared to a lab-based saliva test.
Accuracy may also vary depending on the method of specimen collection, drug type and concentration, and whether you stimulated saliva flow.
Oral fluid production agents like citric acid from candy or chewing gum reduce codeine concentrations two to sixfold, methamphetamine concentrations two to fourfold, and cocaine concentrations fivefold.
You can also expect false positive or negative outcomes. Causes of these outcomes include, but are not limited to, the following:
- incorrect test storage
- obstructive substances in the sample
- errors in the procedure
Positive results do not imply the amount or concentration of the drug; they can also occur when you consume certain foods or supplements.
On the other hand, Negative results do not always indicate a drug-free specimen; drugs may be present below cutoff levels. As a result, LC/MS testing is still advised for confirmatory results.
In addition, the findings make no distinction between specific metabolites within the same drug family.
Benefits Of Saliva Drug Testing Supplies
- You can test from 5 to 12 different drugs of abuse
- It has 99% accuracy
- It’s the least invasive option
- You can perform the test in any setting
- It can provide results in 5 minutes or less
- It only takes two easy steps
- Saturate the mouth swab with saliva
- Insert the sample into the test and wait for the results.
However, it is essential to remember that all saliva drug testing supplies have a detection time frame of approximately 48 hours for each primary drug of abuse.
The primary drugs include the following:
- Amphetamines (AMP)- 50 ng/mL
- Barbiturates (BAR) –50 ng/mL
- Benzodiazepines (BZO) – 10 ng/mL
- Buprenorphine (BUP) – 5 ng/mL
- Cocaine (COC) – 20 ng/mL
- Ecstasy (MDMA) – 50 ng/mL
- Marijuana (THC) – 50 ng/mL
- Methadone (MTD) – 30 ng/mL
- Methamphetamines (mAMP) – 50 ng/mL
- Morphine (MOP) – 40 ng/mL
- Opiates (OPI) – 40 ng/mL
- Oxycodone (OXY) – 40 ng/mL
- Phencyclidine (PCP) – 10 ng/mL
Saliva Drug Test Instructions For Use
- Instruct the donor not to place anything in the mouth, including the following, for at least 10 minutes before collection:
- food
- drink
- gum
- tobacco
- Ensure the pouch is at room temperature. Use the test as soon as possible upon opening the sealed package.
- Using the provided collection mouth swab, have the donor sweep inside their mouth several times, such as the cheek, gum, and tongue.
- The donor must hold the swab in their mouth. Wait until the colour on the saturation indicator strip turns pink. Once this appears in the indicator window or tube, instruct them not to bite, chew, or suck on the mouth swab during the collection process.
- Open the top of the testing chamber, put it on a flat, clean surface and insert the collection mouth swab until it touches the bottom.
- Push the cap until it is locked on the device. You will hear it click shut.
- Leave the test upright on a flat surface for at least ten minutes. Some testing strips may take longer than others to saturate thoroughly. One to two pink lines will appear in the results window.
- In the case of the sample not flowing even with sufficient sample size, you can move the device along a flat surface. Do not tilt it but keep it upright and move it back and forth until the strips are fully saturated.
Saliva Drug Test Laws You Should Know About
Employment drug screenings are at federal and state levels, and it is critical to be aware of drug test laws to ensure compliance. These are some examples:
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Title VII of this law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on their race, color, religion, gender, or national origin.
This includes intentional and disparate impact discrimination, which occurs when an employer’s actions result in unintended discrimination against a protected group.
To ensure compliance, you must administer drug testing fairly and consistently.
Under this law, you must place a screening policy that considers federal and local regulations and adhere to them so that all candidates for a given role are screened similarly.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970 (FCRA)
The FCRA applies only when an employer uses a third-party screener to administer the drug test. In addition, it requires employers to provide background check disclosure and authorization forms before conducting the screening.
Suppose an employer intends to deny or terminate employment based on a failed drug test. In that case, they must follow the adverse action process, which includes providing the candidate or employee with a copy of the background check results.
State legislation
State laws differ, and some have placed restrictions on pre-employment drug testing.
In California, for example, an employer may only require a drug test as a condition of employment after extending a job offer.
Before implementing a drug testing program, employers should know their state’s laws.
Final Thoughts
Saliva testing is one type of drug test used in specific situations, such as random, reasonable suspicion, or post-accident testing.
They are not supposed to tell you if someone uses drugs. Instead, it’s if they have recently used drugs.
This could be problematic in pre-employment drug screening, especially if a candidate abstains from recreational drug use for a short period during the interview.
Urine is typically a better specimen choice for screening for prior drug use, whereas hair can assist in detecting long-term drug abuse.
