
The major difference between different types of drug tests is the collection of specimen. But the advantages and disadvantages of these distinct drug tests vary in terms of many issues like invasiveness in specimen collection, risk of tampering the specimen, cost of drug test, time taken to produce results, accuracy of the results, etc. Of all the drug tests, Urine and Saliva drug tests are very common because of their efficiency to provide accurate results.
Features of urine and saliva drug testing
Both the urine drug testing and the saliva drug testing have their own advantages as well as some disadvantages.
Collection of specimen:
The major advantage of saliva drug testing over urine drug testing is its least invasiveness of privacy while collecting specimen. This has been a controversy since a long time in all the places of drug testing. The process of collecting saliva for a drug test is obviously less invasive compared to the case of urine drug test.
Chances of adulteration:
The chances of adulteration in saliva drug test are very less, compared to urine drug test. In case of saliva drug test, it is feasible to collect the specimen under legible supervision. Thus, minimizing the chances of tampering the specimen. This is not possible in case of urine drug testing. However, saliva drug test is not completely free from adulteration.
Detection period of drug abuse:
The detection period of drug abuse through saliva drug test is shorter, compared to urine drug test. The detection period in case of saliva drug test is around 20 hours to 1 day approximately, whereas it is around 3 days in case of urine drug test.
Accuracy of results:
The accuracy rate of both, urine and saliva drug tests are deemed by the United States court system. However, the accuracy rate of urine drug test results is much higher than that of saliva drug test results, the risk of false negatives is high in both the drug tests.
Cost of drug test
Cost-effectiveness is the major advantage of urine drug tests compared to any type of drug tests. The cost of saliva drug test is a little higher, compared to urine drug test. However, the cost of saliva drug testing complies with the quality of the drug test.
As both saliva drug test and urine drug test, have their own advantages and disadvantages it is not feasible to use any one of them in all the situations. Based on the comparison of features mentioned above, it will be easier to analyze and choose a drug test according to the situation.
Posts Tagged ‘Saliva Drug Tests’
Comparison Of Urine And Saliva Drug Tests
Advantages of Saliva Drug Testing

Saliva drug testing is a convenient method of drug screening and an effective alternative for urine drug testing. Collecting sample for saliva drug test is a straightforward process and can be done in less time. As the collection of sample can be done under supervision, there are minimum chances of tampering it. This prevents tampering and increases drug test results accuracy. There are many other advantages of saliva drug testing, which makes it effective for drug screening.
Advantages of Saliva Drug Testing:
Simple and discreet
The sample collection for saliva drug test is a simple procedure. It does not have the issues of invasiveness as in the case of urine drug testing. A typical sample collection process involves placing a swab into the mouth of the person for two to five minutes.
Accuracy of results
Saliva drug testing is less prone to manipulation. The sample collection can be performed under supervision, thus decreasing the chances of adulteration. The integrated specimen collection methods in the saliva drug screening will instantly detect any external adulteration of the sample. The accuracy of the saliva drug test is deemed by the United States court system.
Drug detection
Saliva drug test can detect many commonly abused drugs, effectively. Saliva drug test can identify abuse of barbiturates, cannabinoid, cocaine, opiates, PCP, and amphetamines.
Drug detection times
Saliva drug tests are considered better at detecting drug abuse within a period of 1 or 2 days. There are certain ultra-sensitive saliva drug test kits that can even detect if a person is currently high on drugs. This is not possible in case of many other drug tests.
Easy to administer
The main hassle during drug tests will be with collection of sample. As it can be ignored in case of saliva drug testing, the process of administering the drug screening will be hassle-free. Saliva drug testing is also easy to administer and does not consume much time. Organizations can conduct it in the workplace itself, causing minimal disruption in the work environment.
Quicker detection rates
Saliva drug tests have quicker detection rates compared to blood and urine drug testing. The analysis of the drug screening can be done at the site of specimen collection. Saliva drug testing is an effective tool to monitor drug abuse in organizations.
Saliva drug testing is an effective drug screening method, especially in sensitive places. Many organizations are presently using saliva drug test kits for monitoring their employees for drug-free workplace. Saliva drug tests are hard to adulterate and provide results within minimum efforts.
The Advantages of Workplace Saliva Drug Tests

The drive for a healthier, more positive, and safer workplace is of high importance to each company or organization. The current health of the workplace tells a lot on the outlook of the company. However, the menace of drug abuse has not caught the attention of most employers. Education on workplace drug testing is not given priority. Therefore cracks and gaps that can endanger the workplace environment still occur.
Saliva drug testing
Saliva drug testing is known as an on-site drug monitoring tool. Its matrix of benefits provides a certain niche where saliva drug testing is more advantageous over the traditional urine drug tests. Saliva drug tests is gaining relevance for employers who seek efficient and current drug monitoring that employs a non-invasive approach and quick results.
The advantages of saliva drug testing over urine drug testing are multi-dimensional. First, saliva drug tests are very donor friendly as compared to urine extraction or blood sample monitoring. With a quick dash of padded sample collector, an employee can be tested quickly and without much of a hassle. Saliva drug testing is pain free and quick to administer so that employees can go about their business without missing a step.
Consequently, saliva drug testing is much more difficult to adulterate. Employees under the influence of drugs will not have the time to switch urine cups or hide in bathrooms. This is especially useful in random drug testing. As adulteration is prevented, the accuracy of these monitoring tools will increase while preventing employees to take advantage of the cracks of traditional urine drug tests.
Saliva drug testing also have quicker detection rates than urine drug testing or blood sample testing. Analysis of the results can be done on-site without the need for complex lab material. Because of this, saliva drug tests are viewed as something especially designed for quick facilitation of drug monitoring for employees.
The use of saliva as a biological sample in drug testing also gives higher correlation with traditional samples on among certain drugs. There is a higher presence of the parent drug than metabolites in saliva which gives these tests a better reading on the specific type of drug use. In addition, there is a high correlation between the drug found in saliva and the drug found in blood. As a current drug use monitoring tool, saliva has been found to be effective vehicles of cocaine during a cocaine rush.
Saliva drug testing is useful in scenarios where urine drug testing isn’t. Saliva drug testing is proven useful in detecting the drug use of automobile drivers and victims after a road accident. Saliva drug testing can also be used as a quick tool for safety-sensitive position and industries such as construction, manufacturing, and the health service sector. Ultimately, what saliva drug testing tells us is that there is a relationship between current use and the drug’s temporal effects.



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